Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Handling and Footwork

Warm Up

Warm Up

Organisation-

4 cones/markers used to mark a square (size dependant on numbers)

1)Serving GK plays ball to feet of receiving GK and follows pass .

2)Receiving GK controls pass (takes a touch if needed) before playing the ball to another receiving GK and following pass. Continue.

Variations-

1)Serving GK to roll/play ball along ground. Receiving GK to receive with a ‘scoop’

2)Serving GK to throw underarm into midriff of receiving GK. Receiving GK to receive ball into ‘basket’

3)Serving GK to roll/play ball along ground to left/right of receiving GK. Receiving GK to make diving save to left/right

4) Serving GK to throw under arm high above receiving GK. Receiving GK to receive ball in ‘W’ hand formation at highest point. Serving GK to follow up throw to put receiving GK under pressure.

Coaching points-

1)Goalkeepers to be on balls of feet, loose but responsive. Switched on.

2)Looking for locked ankle on receipt of ball. Out turned foot, slightly relaxed, take sting from weighted pass.

3)Firm weighted pass using side of foot. Accuracy of serve to receiving GK

4)Looking at accuracy of roll/throw from serving GK.

5)Low ball- Feet-positioning turned body at 90deg to legs when receiving low ball into scooped receipt.

6)Mid ball- Looking at receiving stance into basket. Hand positioning. Ball brought up into chest.

7)Diving- Is GK leading with hands when diving? One hand on back and one hand on top of the ball. Bring ball into body after receiving.

8)High ball- Is receiving GK catching ball at highest point? Knee brought up on jumping.

9)Goalkeepers to be vocal. Call out for ball on receiving.

Footwork/Ball Control/Handling

Footwork/Ball Control/Handling Drill

Organisation-

9 Cones/3 Ladders laid out in a ‘T’ formation. Can be played in front of goal (optional). 3 Servers in position 1, 2 and 3. 1 Working GK.

1)Working GK starts at position 1 in the centre of the set-up

2)On command the GK moves through the cones to his right to position 2. Receives the ball from Server 1 from a ground pass. Takes 1 touch and plays the ball back to server 1 with right foot. Server 1 immediately plays the ball (first touch) to the right of the GK.

3)GK makes diving save to his right. Rolls ball back to server 1.

4)GK moves through the cones to his right to position 3. Receives the ball from server 2 from a ground pass. Takes 1 touch and plays the ball back to server 2 with left foot. Server 2 immediately plays the ball (first touch) to the left of the GK.

5)GK makes diving save to his left. Rolls ball back to server 2.

6)GK moves back through cones to his right before then progressing through cones in front of him (from pos 1) towards server 3.

7)GK sets. Server 3 volleys ball high at GK who receives ball in ‘W’ hand formation, brings ball down into chest. Throws underarm back to server 3 at midriff who receives into ‘basket’.

8)GK re-sets as server 3 immediately volleys low ball back to GK who receives low into scoop or basket (dependant on pace/force of service).

9)Rotate working GK. Current working GK replaces server 1, server 1 to server to 3, server 3 to server 2, server to back to start/working GK.

Coaching Points-

1)Goalkeepers to be on balls of feet, loose but responsive. Switched on.

2)Fast feet. Moving on the balls of feet. Short quick steps.

3)Looking for locked ankle on receipt of ball. Out turned foot, slightly relaxed, take sting from weighted pass.

4)Firm weighted pass using side of foot. Accuracy of serve to receiving GK and back.

5)Looking at accuracy of roll/throw/pass from server.

6)Low ball- Feet-positioning turned body at 90deg to legs when receiving low ball into scooped receipt.

7)Mid ball- Looking at receiving stance into basket. Hand positioning. Ball brought up into chest.

8)High Ball- Set, Hand position, ‘W’ format, bring ball down into chest after catch

9)Diving- Is GK leading with hands when diving? One hand on back and one hand on top of the ball. Bring ball into body after receiving.