Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Volley Session

Volleying - blocked (20 mins)

Organisation:

12 players - 6 in red bibs; 6 in blue bibs placed in pairs (1 red with 1 blue, etc)

Markers placed approximately 5 yards apart, and approximately 5 yards in distance from your partner

Numerous balls, intially a ball between 2.

Drill: 2 main types of volleying skill

Side foot volley:

Blue player feeds the ball toward their partner using their hands (red player). They use any foot they like to side foot a volley back to their partner.

The aim of this drill is to volley the ball back into the hands of their partner, showing good control and touch.

After 6 attempts each, swap roles

Coaching points:

Feeder - good, accurate throw underarm to give their partner a chance to perform the skill

Volleying player - Light on their toes ready to move and get in line with the flight of the ball; position slightly side-on; eyes focused on the ball; strike the ball with the inside part of your foot; ankle locked and strong; delicate touch and control; arms out for balance; head over the ball

Progressions:

- Volleying players to move and touch one of the cones either side of them, then return to the centre and volley the ball back to their partner

- Volleying players to turn and face away from their partners, who call 'turn' as they feed the ball. They turn and have to re-adjust their position and volley the ball back.

- Control the ball with the knee, chest, foot etc and then perform the skill, even if on the half-volley

Instep 'laces' volley:

Blue player feeds the ball to their partner, but now they have to volley the ball back to their partner using their instep (laces part) of the foot.

The aim of this drill is to volley the ball back into the hands of their partner, showing good control and touch.

After 6 attempts each, swap roles

Coaching points:

Feeder - good, accurate throw underarm to give their partner a chance to perform the skill

Volleying player - Light on their toes ready to move to get in line with the flight of the ball; eyes focused on the ball; strike the ball with the instep part of your foot; ankle locked and strong; toes pointing downward; slight follow through in the direction of the intended target; delicate touch and control; arms out for balance; head over the ball

Progressions:

- Volleying players to move and touch one of the cones either side of them, then return to the centre and volley the ball back to their partner

- Volleying players to turn and face away from their partners, who call 'turn' as they feed the ball. They turn and have to re-adjust their position and volley the ball back.

- Control the ball with the knee, chest, foot etc and then perform the skill, even if on the half-volley

Volleying - SSG (20 mins)

Organisation:

30 x 40 metre pitch marked out with cones and goals at either end

12 players - 6 in blue bibs; 6 in red bibs

Coach stands at the side with a number of balls

Rules of the SSG:

6 V 6

Players can only pass the ball to each other by volleying.

The person in possession of the ball cannot run and has to remain where they are, such as in netball. The rest of the team can move and get into position to receive the ball.

1 point is scored if they make a volley to a team mate without the ball bouncing

5 points are scored if they score a goal with a volley

You cannot score a volley from your own half

Key points:

Communication

Teamwork

Movement

Progressions / challenges:

- Can any players score a volley goal without catching the ball first?

- Can any players pass the ball by volleying it without catching the ball?