Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 1v1 Activity Ideas

Main Theme: Part I

Organization:

12x20 area setup as shown

12 players (6 attackers & 6 defenders)

1 ball per player (additional on outside)

Instructions PART A:

- 1 Player from each end take turns to dribble out from endline towards middle cones (yellow)

- As players reach middle they perform dribble/skill move around middle cones & continue to opposite end

- Next players dribble in & repeat

Instructions PART B:

- Remove middle cones. Players now play 1v1 RED vs BLUE

- RED defender at one end passes ball to attacker BLUE at opposite end line

- As attacker receives ball they dribble out & attack opposite end goal(s)

- Defender cannot pressure until Attackers 1st touch - play until goal is scored or ball leaves playing area

- After set time rotate RED & BLUE as defenders & attackers

- After set time rotate fields

Coaching Points:

- Controlled approach

- Body shape - low centre of gravity

- Awareness of space & surroundings

- Timing & execution of skill move

- Improvisation & creativity

Progressions PART A:

1. Place middle cones in different shapes, creating new obstacles for players to dribble around

2. Remove cones - players now dribble directly towards each other & time their dribble/skill moves

Progression PART B:

1. Defender can enter area as they pass

2. Attacker has time limit to score/attempt finish

Main Theme: Part II

Organization:

30x20 Area set up as shown

30x10 central zone marked out with cones

10 players (5 attackers & 5 defenders)

Balls with coach who acts as server

Instructions:

- Players are seperated into two teams & then number themselves 1 to 5

- Teams assemble at either end line with coach on the sideline with all soccer balls

- Coach calls out number 1 to 5 & passes ball into middle zone. Those numbers run out & battle to win ball

- Player who wins ball becomes attacker. They aim to dribble past defender & out of middle zone to score

- Player without ball becomes defender & aims to win possession back to attack

- Play until goal is scored or ball leaves playing area. Player return back to positions & activity resets

Coaching Points:

- Controlled approach

- Body shape - low centre of gravity

- Awareness of space, surroundings & approaching players position

- Timing & execution of skill move

- Next action: Accelerate away from defender

- Improvisation & creativity

Progressions:

1. Play for points. Teams get 1 point if attacker successfully dribbles out of middle zone

2. Attackers now aim to dribble out of middle zone & through one of the gates (tall cones) in corner (3points)

Conditioned Game II

Organization:

30x50 area set up as shown

30x10 end zone at either end marked with cones

1 target gate at either end zone line as shown (tall cones)

10 players (5 attackers & 5 defenders)

1 ball (additional around outside)

Instructions:

- Teams play standard 5v5 small sided game. Play restarts with kick ins. No offsides.

- Attacking team can score by either dribbling through center gate (2pts) or into end zone (1pts)

- Teams play directional

Coaching Points:

- Controlled approach

- Body shape - low centre of gravity

- Awareness of space, surroundings & approaching players position

- Timing & execution of dribble. Whens the best time to cross the half?

- Timing & execution of skill move

- Next action: Accelerate away from defender

- Improvisation & creativity

Progressions:

1. When teams score at one end, they turn & attack opposite end

2. Teams can scores at either end after completing 4 passes