Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Opening up on first touch

Opening up square (20 mins)

Opening up on the first touch 

Set up:  Set up a square 15x15. Have one two blue and two reds on the outside opposite each other and one player from each team in the middle. There are three phases to progress the activity. A player is in the middle for 90 seconds.  

Phase 1

Rules: Each player on the outside has a ball. They pass the ball to the central player and tell them man on. The central player plays the ball straight back. After the central player plays it back, they run across the box to the opposite player, make an angle, and repeat—swap players after 90 seconds.

Scoreboard: The middle player gets 1 point for every pass and 2 points if they play it once. Ask both players their score after 90 seconds.

Progression / Phase 2

Rules: Now, there is only one ball per team. The central player makes an angle. The side player plays it into them and instructs the central player to turn. The central player takes the ball on their back foot across the body and plays to the opposite side. Note that both teams are going simultaneously. The central player needs to be aware. Side players are encouraged to move up and down their line to create passing lanes.

Scoreboard: The middle player gets 1 point for every pass and 2 points if they play it once. Ask both players their score after 90 seconds.

Progression / Phase 3

Rules: In the final phase, there is only one group. The exercise becomes a 3v1 keep-away game. Side players stay on the side. It's up to the central player to win the ball for their team. The side players can now pass to each other, too.

Scoreboard: A team gets a point for every time the ball is switched across the box.

Triangle goal game

Triangle Goal Game

Set up:

• Set up a square and a 30x30 box.
• Two teams, red vs. Blue.
• If you have odd numbers, put a neutral in the middle.
• Place three poles in the center to make a triangle goal.
• Place a circle of cones around the goal to protect the keepers. Players can't go inside the circle.

Rules: Play a regular game with the exception the goal has three sides and is in the center of the area. The keepers are neutral. If they make a save, they must pass the ball out to the opposite team from the one who shot. That player must make one pass before taking the next shot.

Scoreboard: 

• 1 PT for each successful goal
•  2 PT for a goal off a one-time finish
•  The Scoreboard coach has cones and poles.

Constraints:  encourage teams to press quickly to make the team in possession play faster.