Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Dribbling with the ball.

Cognitive Warm Up (15 mins)

Organization:

Area 20x40 yards; divided into two zones with red cones

5 players by area as shown above

1 ball per player

2 tall blue cones 12 yards apart

Instructions:

1. Players start dribbling around the whole area, every step is a touch - "Messi" touches, "Ronaldo", and introduction to "Xavi" (Change direction).

2. Cognitive exercises first - #1 toe-taps, #2 foundations, #3 big touch, "SWITCH", "UP", etc. For approx. 8-10 min.

3. Now players divide themselves into 2 groups evenly and assign themselves numbers from 1-5 and must shout them in order while they move with the ball. First group to get it done wins.

4. Coach calls #1 and the players must stop their balls and run out to the tall blue cone, go around it and come back to their ball, the player to come back first gets a point for their group.

Coaching Points:

1. Dribbling technique and mechanics

2. Head up

3. Awareness

4. Quick thinking

5. Communication

6. Change of speed

Progressions:

1. Players now will have to dribble their ball out to the tall blue cone and go around it to come back quickly.

2. If coach calls a number, then the number that follows must go. (i.e. if coach calls #2, then #3 must go, if #5 is called, then #1 must go).

Main Theme (25 mins)

Organization:

Area of 20x30 yards or according to age group

4 goals, 2 per set up as shown above

2 groups, one defending (yellow) and one attacking (red)

Instructions:

1. The attackers have 2 goals to choose from, both facing away. This now forces the attack to beat the defender and not shoot from a distance.

2. The defenders only come out to defend after the attacker has taken his 1st touch.

3. If the defender wins the ball, or the balls goes out of bounds then the game is over.

4. Players rotate on their own. If red player attacked then he must join the defender's line.

Coaching Points:

1. Dribbling technique and mechanics

2. 1st touch - attack the space and dribble with speed

3. Change of speed

4. Head up - observe the space and the defender's position

5. Use of body to deceive and unbalance the defender

Progressions:

1. Transition - If defender wins the ball, he is allowed to score on any of the 2 goals.