Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U11/U12 PDP - Striking & Finishing Session I

Juggling (15 mins)

Work on juggling with the feet. Start with various simple patters (foot/catch, bounce/foot/catch, etc.). Then work your way into high foot juggling using the laces and striking surface of the foot. See if they can juggle the ball straight up without much spin. Foot will be about waist height and shoulders will hunch over slightly.

Coaching Points:

•Strike with instep/laces (point toe down)

•Watch your foot strike the center of the ball (head steady)

2v2 Plus Goalkeeper (Large Goals) (30 mins)

Set up one field about 25 x 30 and separate the kids into two teams. Each team sets up at one end of the field in two lines (off the field). Team A plays a ball in to team B and the first two players from each line play making a 2v2 game to large goals with goalkeepers. Any time a goal is scored, the ball goes out of bounds, or the game lasts longer than 30 seconds the players on the field go off to the outside and new players begin a new game. The transition should be quick. After 10-12 games, make sure you switch so that both teams receive the ball to start.

•When is a good time to take a shot?

•How should your body and foot look when striking?

•How close should your non-striking foot be to the ball?

Coaching Points:

•Strike with instep/laces (point toe down)

•Watch your foot strike the center of the ball (head steady)

•Body and striking foot at a slight angle (can’t be straight up and down)

•Placement of non-striking foot and positioning of hips, head/shoulders

•Follow through towards your target landing on your striking foot