Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Ball Control - First Touch

Blocked (15 mins) (15 mins)

Organisation:

- 15 minute practice

- 12 players (5-11 years old)

- 6 players on the outside, 6 players on the inside

Equipment:

- 12 balls (each player on the outside starts with 2 balls)

- Bibs (6 blue, 6 red)

- Cones/markers

Description:

- Players inside the area (blue) are looking for a player with a ball on the outside.

- The players on the outside feed the ball into the blue player calling for the ball using their hands. To start with the players feeding should aim for the blue players' feet so they can control the ball with that body part.

- When the blue players on the inside control the ball, they should return the ball back to the server with a simple short pass before looking for another server with the ball on the outside.

- After one minute, players on the inside now become the servers and vice versa.

Progressions/ Regressions:

- Can progress to where players on the inside are controlling the ball with different parts of the body, for example, thigh, chest, inside of the foot etc.

- Can progress to where the players on the inside have to distribute the ball to a different server without the ball rather than passing it back to the same server.

Challenges:

- Challenge the players to use both feet rather than just using their stronger foot.

- Challenge the players to play at a match tempo instead of a relaxed control and pass.

Targets:

- Can you achieve 6 controls and passes within 1 minute inside the area? If they achieve this target first time, increase it slightly to give them something new to aim for.

- Can you achieve 3 controls and passes within 1 minute using the weaker foot inside the area? If they achieve this target first time, increase ti slightly to give them something new to aim for.

Coaching points:

- Keep an eye on the ball as it comes towards you.

- Quick look over the shoulder before receiving to know if you are under pressure or not.

- Keep on your toes and be ready to adjust to the ball wherever it goes.

- Move into an open body position before receiving the ball.

- Cushion the ball in front of you away from the defender ready to make the next decision (pass, dribble, shoot).

Coaching interventions:

- Fly-by: give players quick tips and pointers on the proper technique on how to control the ball. This should be used if one player has only performed something slightly wrong.

- Drive-by: should bring a player out if they are really struggling with the technique of controlling the ball. Can work 1 on 1 constantly repeating and rehearsing the technique until they can perform it correctly. Can give them detailed step by step explanations on the coaching points for ball control.

- Coaching process: can be used in between changeovers, help all the players understanding of ball control, can give positive feedback and demonstrate to the players the next progression along with the correct technique. Can also give an opportunity for players to demonstrate instead giving them ownership.

SSG (25 mins) (25 mins)

Organisation:

- 25 minute practice.

- 12 players (5-11 years old).

- 6 players on each team (red and blue).

- 40 x 30 yard area.

- A goal at each end.

- No goalkeepers.

Equipment:

- Cones/markers.

- Bibs (6 reds, 6 blues).

- 1 ball in play.

- Other balls scattered around the outside.

- 2 goals or poles.

Description:

- Normal football match with both teams aiming to score at opposite goals.

- Players on both teams must pass the ball by throwing to their teammates instead of passing with their feet.

- The player they have thrown the ball to must control the ball however they like before picking the ball up and throwing to another teammate.

- The other team can win the ball back by intercepting or by picking the ball up from a bad control.

- When wanting to shot at goal, the player must perform a first-time volley or header when a teammate throws them the ball.

Progression:

- Players will eventually put the ball down and play a normal football match with the standard rules applied. From what they began with should help them with the basic principles of controlling the ball within diferent match scenarios.

Conditions:

- At least 3 players on the team must control the ball and pass before the team can score.

Challenges:

- Let the players reflect on their performance and give themselves realistic challenges depending on what they feel they should be working on. For example, one player may feel he needs to improve his control with his chest so he should communicate with his players during the game to throw the ball to his chest rather than his feet.

Coaching interventions:

- Fly-by: give players quick tips and pointers on the proper technique on how to control the ball. This should be used if one player has only performed something slightly wrong.

- Drve-by: should bring a player out if they are really struggling with the technique of controlling the ball. Can work 1 on 1 constantly repeating and rehearsing the technique until they can perform it correctly. Can give them detailed step by step explanations on the coaching points for ball control. Doing this will also give the other team a numerical advantage forcing both teams to play slightly different tactically.

- Coaching process: look for players making wrong decisions throughout the game so you can use the coaching process to show them the right decisions. For example, a player might control the ball into a defender rather than into space, so you can step in and demonstrate to the group how to control the ball into space.