Teaching The Technique

Part I - The Mechanics to Striking the Ball

1. Load

2. Downswing

3. Impact

4. Follow Through

** Pre-Hop

Parts of the Ball

1. Center/Middle (ball goes straight)

2. Top Half (ball stays low)

3. Bottom Half (ball rises up)

4. Left Side (ball travels right)

5. Right Side (ball travels left)

Coach will break down how to: 1. Strike ball with inside foot (short pass), 2. Strike ball with "sweet spot" (passes in the air/crossing), 3. Finishing

***OVER-EMPHASIZE the technique when showing players. The objective is to let to players SEE what each step looks like in real time.

Part 2 - Practice

Players will get into groups of 3. Each group will set up cones around 3-4 yards apart anywhere on the field (players set up own station). Players will start 5 yards between themselves with ball at feet. Using proper technique, players will pass ball to teammate, who will receive and pass back (done stationary). At the start players will over-emphasize their technique, then play more naturally as improvements show (BUSY FEET). On coaches call, players will move to either get further away or closer together and work on a variety of passes (short, medium, long using inside of foot and "sweet spot"

Part 3 - Movement

In same groups, players will now pass and move in an area. The types of passes and distance should continuously be varied by players. Movement should be dynamic (side to side, back peddle, etc.) w/ changes in pace/direction. Encourage players to: 1. Take no more than 3 touches on the ball and 2. Know how they will strike the ball and to whom they will pass to before receiving ball.

Passing Through Gates - Expanded

3v3+1 w/ Wide Players

4v4 w/ Wide Players & GKs

All players must receive and complete a pass before ball can go wide

Wide Players - can only cross in attacking 1/3

To Score: ALL attacking players must be in the middle/attacking 1/3 of field for goal to count