Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Improving First touch, passing, and Vision (in transition)

Dribbling/passing coerver warmup

Setup: (setup for 12; adjust to group) X-pattern of cones as shown, appr. 10x10; different colors at each level. Line of 3 to start at each white cone. For pattern B, add the green cones slightly wider than the original grid. (setup enough grids for 5 or 6 per grid)

Game: Purpose is to provide multiple touches on ball and footwork/agility coordination, while increasing touch. First player on left dribbles to red cone and performs a turn move (typically start with L-turn, go to outside hook, inside slap, etc.) towards the blue cone. At the blue cone, he performs attacking move (typically start with roll-tap, move to scissors, feint, etc). Then, he sprints to white cone and back of line. Players alternate movement. Once the player on the left, hits the red cone, player on right begins movement, and so on.

- Continue changing to various turns and/or attacking moves.

Progression to Pattern B: After several successful dribble runs, add in passing movement. Now when player moves to white cone, they pass to the outside of the green cone to a waiting player. The player at green cone lays the ball back to the approaching player and the perform a quick 1-touch wall pass around the green cone. The receiving player then takes off to follow original movement.

Scoring (optional): Race both lines against each other to see who can get through line 3 times first.

Coaching:

- Correct all technical parts of dribbling and passing. Right position and part of foot. Right body angles.

SSG vision in transition

Focus: Game is designed to teach Scan, Plan, and Play, as well as verbal communication. In addition, it teaches how to organize under chaos and form quick attack in transition.

Setup: 2 connected grids to play 3v1. 1 deeper and wider grid connected to the 3v1 grids. Adapt all for size and skill. 2 pugs on the end lines of larger grid. Place blue/red cone in goals or shirt on top to mark each side's attacking goal. (Setup is for 8 players. You could easily adapt it to fit 12 and play 4v2 instead of 3v1. Or place grids on other side as well and release from both sidelines into larger grid.)

Game: 2 simultaneous 3v1 games that start on coaches command. When a defender, wins the ball they immediately look for an outlet pass to team mate into the opposite angled half of Grid C (B passes to C2; A passes to C1). All of the teammates of the winning defenders team now immediately enter to attack their goal. Only 3 of the opposing team may enter (the player who did not win the 3v1 stays). Then, it is a 4v3 to goal. All restarts go back to smaller grids for 3v1 rondo. Rotate defenders.

Defenders must pass before leaving small grid, cannot dribble out of grid into large grid. If teams win ball back before defender can make the pass, continue with 3v1 rondo. any out of bounds on rondo, just bring back in and play. Keep as continuous as possible.

Duration/Scoring: Any attacking/defensive goal is 1pt. Game to 3pts and then start over.

Coaching:

- 3v1 = good movement and good passing technique (shoulders angled and RAP [rolling, accuracy, pace])

- When you win the ball, can you maintain possession, call for help, and make an accurate pass to teammates?

- Defenders yell loud enough for teammates to hear ("Break", "Go", "Release")

- While playing 3v1, can you not only listen but scan the other grid constantly to see what is happening? Can you play rondo and scan at same time?

- Don't just scan. Scan and Plan while you play.

- Don't cluster in the larger. Quickly find space and organize. Increase the quickness of organization each time

- Scan, Plan, and Play in larger grid as well. Direct or use teammates? Wall or 1v1?