Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Term 2 / Week 6 - Dribbling & RWB

skill introduction (10 mins)

Frame

Individual technique of RWB unopposed > opposed. Players are given the opportunity to attack free space with speed and control. First touch is key, as it can be the difference between engaging in a 1v1 or evading pressure by RWB.

Explanation

Players are divided into two teams of equal numbers. Two mini-goals, are placed diagonally opposite one another. Yellow discs signify a shooting zone 6 yards from either goal.

Unopposed: one player from each team runs with the ball to score in the mini-goal ahead of them. As soon as they shoot, it releases a player from that side & the game continues like this. Players work on RWB technique and enjoy scoring a goal at the end of their run. Players join the line at the opposite side & go again.

Progression

1. Unopposed: change position of goals - encourage - players to get comfortable using their other foot / a different surface of their foot.

2. Opposed: a blue player RWB to score in the mini-goal ahead of them. As this happens, they release a volt player who RWB towards the goal ahead of them. Once a player shoots in the goal ahead of them, they become a recovering defender & must give chase to the runner. RULE - if someone scores in the goal on your side, it releases the first player in your line. Players can only score inside the shooting zone.

3. Opposed: make the shooting zone larger to challenge attacking players more.

Coaching points

1. RWB when space is available; attack quickly and directly. Try to use the foot furthest from the approaching defender; big strides, toes pointed down, open up large areas of the foot to brush the ball through the grass.

2. Arms up and out to protect yourself and adjust balance if a defender has closed space quickly and is applying pressure. Step across the chasing defender, force them to find a way around you.

3. Head up and check shoulders for movement of chasing defender, adjust to protect the ball and drive into free space ahead of you.

tactical component (20 mins)

Frame

We're interested in using dribbling & RWB skills to combine effectively as we move towards a target. To get success here, it's important that players recognise cues to RWB. This exercise will challenge their decision-making capabilities as they learn to solve a specific problem: how to create space to break defensive lines by RWB.

Explanation

8 players. 2 teams of 4 players each. Teams play 4v4 in the middle third. Players may only score by RWB into the end zones and scoring with their first/second touch. To begin, no defending in the final third.

Progression

1. if an attacker breaks into the final third, a defender can now recover to stop them.

2. an additional attacker can now support the attack.

Regression

1. temporarily overload one team (5v3) for a short period of time before rotating roles.

2. coach steps in as a neutral player to create a temporary overload (4v4 + 1) for a short period of time.

3. add an extra goal at each end; increasing the probability of success for the attacking team.

Coaching points

1. if there is space ahead, travel forward to commit a defender and create space.

2. if there is NOT space ahead - you can try 1v1 or look for a team mate with space in front of them,

3. As often as possible, look to create space to receive a pass / clear space to help us move towards our objective - clever movement, unselfish runs.