Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Technical - 1st touch - U9 THRU U12

Skill Intro: First Touch (15 mins)

1. Skill introduction

Players in threes, positioned as shown. Both players at the sides with a ball; the player in the middle stands in a 2m x 2m grid without ball.

The exercise starts with a player on one side passing the ball to the player in the grid. They must move the ball with their first touch side-ways out of the grid and pass it back with their second touch. Then they receive the next ball from the player at the opposite side, etc. (see variation 1) Rotate positions after 10 repetitions. Use various techniques i.e. right/ left foot only; inside/outside foot only.

In variation 2, the central player receives the ball, turns in the grid (one touch) and passes to the player at the opposite side with their 2nd touch. This player receives the ball and passes it back again to the player in the grid, etc. (so here we temporarily use one ball only!). Again: left and right; inside and outside foot.

In variation 3, the outside players follow their pass, sprinting to the left or right cone of the grid. The player in the middle must now move the ball out of the grid in the opposite direction with their 1st touch and dribble the ball to the empty cone. The new middle player now receives the ball from the other end and the pattern is repeated.

Concluding competition:

Use one of the 1st touch techniques for a relay:

“which group has concluded 10 perfect repetitions by all 3 players first” “OK, one more time and now .....(other technique).

Skill Game: First Touch (15 mins)

3. Skill game

4 v 4 in a grid of approximately 35m x 35m with five 3m gates positioned as shown.

The team in possession scores a goal when one of their players passes the ball to a team-mate through one of the gates.

Mandatory 2 touches for all players.

If the defending team wins the ball, the roles change without stopping the game.

“Which teams scores most?”

Step up:

• The attacking team must make an effort to score within 30 seconds, otherwise the possession goes to the opponent

• Decrease the goal size Step down:

• Increase the goal size • Add another goal

• Introduce a ‘joker’