Aim

To ensure that players are physically and mentally ready for the session

Start with a lap of field with the coach to get the blood flowing

Cirlce- Dynamic Stretching

Players form a circle starting in nice and close. Players then jog away from the centre maintaing the circle shape

On the way back in players perform the stretch e.g. heels up, knees up, side to side, open/close the gate (groin stretch), high kicks (hamstring stretch) etc.

Once finished players should be warmed up and ready to start the session

Juggling

Finish with some juggling to continue to develop close control ensure players are focused

Challenge the players to better their record

Ensure players are using both feet

Aim

Improve the players dribbling skills and close control using all parts of the foot (left and right).

Dribbling Activity

Players are split into four even groups and line up at the four end cones.

The first player dribbles around the cones in the direction shown in grid A. The player plays a pass after the fourth turn to the person at the start of the next line.

The next player then dribbles the reverse of the cones as shown in grid B

Key Points

Players should keep their head up so that they know what is going on around them

The ball should be kept close so that it is always under control- keep the ball between your feet

Ensure players are working on both feet and not using their favoured foot all the time

Get players to focus on the correct technique for the pass and when receiving the ball

Progressions

The exercise can be changed by making players use different parts of the foot to dribble and turn with. For example getting players to use the outside or inside of their foot only to turn and when dribbling.

Once the players feel comfortable with the ball at their feet the drill can be make for game like by getting the players to perform the dribbling faster

Aim

To develop players sense of awareness, skills and close control

Activity

Players are inside the grid, dribbling around

Coach calls out different turns and instructions for the players to complete

Examples include Cruyff turn, drag back, step over

Coaches introduce a rule that every time two players come face to face they must turn left or right with a skill to get the players comfortable with the ball

Whenever the coach calls "FREEZE" players must stop their balls on the spot. This encourages the players to keep the ball between their feet and not let it get away from them

Key Points

Players should keep their head up so that they know what is going on around them

The ball should be kept close so that it is always under control- keep the ball between your feet

Ensure players are working on both feet and not using their favoured foot all the time

Focus is on skill mastery and ball control whilst developing player's sense of awareness for space

Aim

To develop players technique under pressure- receiving the ball with the far or the near foot

Activity

The drill is set up in a diamond shape with the ends (D and B) having the double cones and the sides (A and C) having the single cone to represent the different techniques that are going to be used

The cones represent the defender

The ball starts at A and is played into B. The player on B must check off the defender (cone) and receive the ball with their nearest foot taking the ball across their body. They then play the ball to the player at C

The players at C checks off the cone (defender) to make space and receives the ball with their furthest foot. To do this the player lets the ball roll across their body taking one touch with the right foot and then passing the ball to D.

The player at D receives the ball with the nearest foot (left) the same as at point B. The ball is then played to player A. Player a receives the ball with their furthest foot the same as point C.

The ball starts at A and is played to the player at B

Key Points

Receiving the ball with the near foot- take the ball across the body with the left foot, moving it across to the right foot for the pass. The ball should be kept under control and close to the body at all times.

Receiving the ball with the far foot- let the ball roll across the body controlling the ball with the right foot. The pass is then played with the right foot so that the players body is kept between the ball and the defender.

Checking off the defender.- this is important to create as much space to receive the ball as possible. The player should be moving sharply away from the defender and calling for the ball.

Progressions

Reverse the direction of the exercise to ensure both feet are developed

Increase the speed of the drill to make it more realistic

Add a second ball so that players must always be aware of what is going on around them

Aim

Develop shooting technique

Further refine receiving the ball in a more game like situation

Work on passing technique

Activity

Player A makes an angled run away from the defender (blue mannequin)

Player B plays the ball into player A's feet.

Player A needs to receive the ball so that they can 'face up' to the defender- to do this the players can either receive the ball on their far foot opening up their body, or receive the ball with the near foot and take it across their body

Once the player has turned to 'face up' they have a shot.

After playing the pass player B moves up to the player A position

Key Points

It is important that player B plays the ball in front of player A as they make their run so that they can have time to turn before the defender shuts down their space

Receiving the ball with the near foot- take the ball across the body with the near foot, moving it across to the body ready for the shot. The ball should be kept under control and close to the body at all times.

Receiving the ball with the far foot- let the ball roll across the body controlling the ball with the far foot. The first touch should leave the ball in a position where the player can shoot with their next touch

When shooting players will be more accurate if they use the inside of their foot and pass the ball into the net- cones are placed inside the post to give players a target to aim at

Aim

Develop player's technique and composure when shooting

Develop player's ability to play a pass to a moving player

Activity

Player A makes a run around the defender (blue mannequin)

Player B plays a pass in front of player A as they go around the defender

Player A takes a touch to control the ball and then shoots

The next player in line then becomes player A

Key Points

When shooting player's will be more accurate if they use the inside of their foot and pass the ball into the net- cones are placed inside the post to give players a target to aim at

The players first touch after going round the defender should be out in front of them so that they can shoot with their next touch

It is important that the pass from player B is played in front of player A so that they can run onto the ball

Aim

Develop player's positional awareness in a game

Introduce the number system that represents different positions

Continue to develop the skills worked on throughout the session

Activity

Small sided game with players given a position

Players are encouraged to continue to develop the skills worked on during the session- passing, dribbling and receiving the ball

Key Points

Encourage players to hold their positions and not follow the ball

Stop the game to highlight points where players could be using skills worked on throughout the session

Progressions

To encourage players to pass the ball goals can be awarded for 3 consecutive passes

Reward skill moves with a point e.g. a point for beating a player with a step over

Encourage players to place or pass the ball when shooting to increase accuracy