Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Running with the ball

Warm up Stage 1 (5 mins)

Stage 1: Movement & Dynamic Range of Motion

Organization

- 12 players

- Area: 18 yard box

Equipment

- 4 cones

Rules

- Stay within the 18 yard box marked by cones, listening to the coaches instructions

Description

- Each player starts by walking around the grid

- Then add more arm swings

- Progress to skipping while still swinging arms in big motions

- Then bring it to a slow jog

- Incorporate specific movements: high knees, butt kicks, leg raises, open & close the gate

Warm up Stage 3 (5 mins)

Stage 3: Technical

Organization

- 12 players

- Area: 40x25 designated area marked by cones

Equipment

- 1 ball

- 14 cones

Description

- This is a 5v5 in the middle of the grid with 2 neutral players in the end zones

- Players in the end zone can move within the end zone to support their teammates but can't come into the middle portion of the grid

- Players try and attempt to score a goal by playing a pass into their teammate who is in the end zone

- Players try to play the ball forward, or try to keep possession by playing it back

- Once they complete a pass to their teammates tehy get one point, then they keep possession and try to score on the other end

- Continuous play, first team to score 5 points win

- Switch players in the end zone every 2 minutes

Analytical Phase- Running with the ball (15 mins)

Organization

- 12 players, 3 groups of 4 players

- 1 group of 4 players in each 10m zone

- Area: 30x25 area marked by cones (3x10m zones. 25m wide)

- Spare balls around the area

Equipment

- 12 pinnies (4 red, 4 yellow, 4 blue)

- 16 cones

- 6 balls

- Spare balls around the grid

Description

- Activity begins with the 4 players in the Zone B, who each have a ball and dribble slowly and freely within this zone. The players have to try and do as many skill moves within this zone.

- In the other zones (A & C), there are 4 players and there is one ball per zone.

- The players pass the ball amongst themselves within their zone, with the objective of running with the ball to the opposite zone (A or C) without colliding with or stopping, due to a player in the Zone B who is dribbling their ball.

- Once the player reaches the opposite side they continue with 2 balls and 5 players.

- Players shoud constantly be looking and assessing if they are able to run with the ball to the other side.

- Switch middle zone players with another zone every few minutes.

- All players should have an opportunity to run with the ball.

Progression

- Players in the Zone B, whilst dribbling the ball, try to tag the player running with the ball to the opposite zone

- If players in Zone B tag another player, their team (colour) get 1 point. If teams in Zone A or B cross over to the oppostie zone, their team (colour) gets 1 point.

Coaching Points

- Body shape looking towards direction of motion

- Always assessing the gaps and opportunities to run

- First touch forward

- Move the ball quickly between teammates

- If able to, run with the ball, take big touches and open your stride

- Front foot, using laces, touches the ball whilst running

Cool Down (10 mins)

Organization

- Area: 44x50 area

- Players will conlcude the session with a cool down

- Players will begin with a light jog and then perform a variety of dynamic stretches:Heel flicks / cross-overs / high knees / side-stepping / skipping /lunges / hamstring sweeps / hamstring kicks / opening & closing gate / forwards side-to-side / backwards side-to-side