Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Change of direction (week 6)

Messi and Ronaldo (5 mins)

Organization:

-1 ball per player in space as shown

Instructions:

-Players look to dribble in between gaps created by the other players

Coaching Points:

1. Messi touches (ball close, every step, pinky toe, ankle turned in)

2. Finding gaps

3. Bigger touches into gaps (Ronaldo)

4. Changing direction if can't get into gaps (Xavi)

Progressions:

1. Points for gaps, lose points for bumping into toher players / balls / going out of bounds.

Conditioned Game (20 mins)

Organization:

- 5v5 w/ GKs

- Players restricted to their zone (2v1 in defensive / attacking thirds, 1v1 in middle third)

Instructions:

- Play as normal game. Kick-ins from starts.

- Have balls start at coach's feet if you want to control temp / triggers.

- If the attacking team plays a ball into the forward (player in the attacking third), the player in the middle channel may join in and create a 2v2 in the front third.

Coaching Points:

1. Creation of space to receive pass.

2. Protection of ball.

3. Use of hands to feel defender.

4. Identification of space and choosing approriate action (Accelerate? Turn? Stop-Start?).

5. Distance and direction of touch (am I going to dribble or shoot? Can i create the angle to get a shot off onto the PUG?

6. Quality of end product.

Progressions: