Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): First Touch

Main Theme (30 mins)

Organization:

10x10 yd boxes with two 2yd gates set up in the corners of each box

4 groups of 3 set up as shown, 1 ball per group, 2 players start in outside corner of their area and 1 player waits to receive at the opposite corner

Instructions:

- Player with the ball plays a pass to the player at the opposite corner then watches to see which goal the receiving player takes his touch toward and runs through the opposite goal, then to center cone to be the next receiver

- Receiving player takes the desired 1st touch toward one of the gates and dribbles through, before rejoining the line

- pass is played by the next player in line as soon as the receiver is ready and in position

Rd. 1 - open to the closest gate with the inside of the foot

Rd. 2 - take touch across the body to the farthest gate with the inside of the foot

Rd. 3 - take touch across the body to the farthest gate with the outside of the (opposite) foot

-after Rd. 3, move to 1st progression

Coaching Points:

Get in line with the ball as it travels,

choose the appropriate surface of the foot,

Head up before receiving to observe open space,

Contact with middle of the ball,

First touch into space

Progressions:

1 - Player with the ball plays a pass to the player wating to receive in the center, then immediately runs to one gate or the other,

Receiving player observes the movement of his teammate as the ball travels and takes his 1st touch toward the open gate and dribbles through the gate

2- Player that begins with the ball becomes a defender after the pass and can win the ball after running through one of the gates

3 - Passing player can defend without running through a gate, use small goals to pass into instead of gates to dribble through (as seen in top/right grid)

Free Play (30 mins)

Organization:

3v3 (no more than 4v4)

20x30 fields

Instructions:

Free play

Coaching Points:

First touch to go forward. Can you find open space/beat a defender with one touch?

Team shape/triangulation

Progressions: