Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pirates

Introduction-I can do this, Can you? (10 mins)

Dribbling - MINI KICK - I Can Do This

Organization:

30x20 yard area

Each player with a ball

Coach should have a ball to demo

Instructions:

Coach calls out to players, I can do this...can you?

Examples: Various skill moves (inside/outside, sole roll, scissors/step-over, Messi/Ronaldo touches, Xavi turn(U turn), Iniesta (double touch with inside)

Coach can find a top player in the group and ask that player to show a move, skill, touch etc...

Try to emphasize a lot of touches, finding space, creativity.

Example: No hands only use feet and show moves, juggling skills etc..

Coaching Points:

- Body control and coordination

- Hand & eye coordination

- Dexterity

- Spatial Awareness

Progressions:

- Judge difficulty based on group, challenge individually as well.

Main Theme-Treasure Chest (10 mins)

Dribbling - MINI KICK - Treasure Chest

Organization:

30x20 area with 4 5x5 squares in each corner.

Instructions:

- At coach command players must run to the island to retrieve a ball and dribble back to their corner.

- Upon return, next teammate runs to do the same.

- Once all balls are all gone, they move on to the cones (gold/treasure)

- The team with the most gold in their corner wins.

-After players understand activity-you can allow teams to steal from each other which will keep the game moving and create more decisions/realism.

Coaching points:

- Outside (pinky-toe) for close control.

- Laces for fast, longer distance dribbling.

- Head up to locate your corner.

Progressions:

- Allow dribbling with single foot adding a move (feint, roll, etc.)

- How many can your team retrieve?

- Allow dribbling with either foot. (Regression)

- Can add goal to score in instead of stopping ball in zone

1v1v1v1 (10 mins)

Dribbling - Mini Kick - Pirate Plank 1v1s

Organization:

- 20x20 area

- 4 Goals

- 12 players

- As many balls as available

Instructions:

- 4 teams and 4 goals (each team has their own goal)

- Number players (Pirates) 1-4

- Coach calls out go, and players have to run out, take one ball, and shoot it into their goal.

- Next person doesn't go until ball is in the net.

- Pirates go until all the balls are gone from the middle.

Coaching Points:

- Quickly retrieve the ball

- Choose appropriate surface of the foot to get ball from pile

- Turn and dribble to own goal

- Aim/Shoot at goal

- Use appropriate surface of foot to shoot (laces)

Progressions:

- Play with fewer balls in the middle, eventually getting down to 1 ball.