Place small gates all over the field. Players are grouped into partners and for every gate they can play a pass through to their partner to they are given a point. Have the players perform for 1 minute. Progress by asking them to play the pass with either foot or parts of foot. Pass with inside of the foot Plant foot is next to ball Follow through with a forward step Square hips towards teammate when passing Weight of pass Distance of pass Activity #1 Diagram Coaching Points 2v1 to Goal: Players are a number up to create better chance for success. Defensive player scores by playing into either counter goal. All are served in from coach. Progression: Add GK Same points as above Decision making when to pass and when to dribble, make defender commit. Type of pass: to feet or into space? Activity #2 Diagram Coaching Points 3v2 to Goal: Attacking team is numbers up to provide more opportunities to connect passes. Ball is played in from the coach. Both teams are able to score on their respective full size goals. Progression: add GKs Same points as Risk vs. Safety: No square passes in defense If no option forward look to play to supporting players Scrimmage Coaching Points Depending on numbers play a final game as close to the real game as possible. 5v5 or 6v6. All the same points listed above Make it as close to the real game as possible Encourage 1v1 opportunities Theme: Defending Technical Warm-Up Diagram Coaching Points
Pass/Defend: Have players dribble and pass with a partner inside a grid. When coach shouts “defend” partner without the ball closes down partner and shadow defends without trying to steal the ball. Close partner down quickly, making smaller steps as they come closer to their opponent. Curve run at opponent to take away one option. bent and one foot in front of other (jockey position). When opponent turns drop foot and switch feet, never turn your back on the ball. Activity #1 Diagram Coaching Points 1v1 Defending in to End Zones: Players play 1v1 with the attacking player scoring by dribbling across an end zone. Players start with the ball at one partners feet. Progress to 2v2 Same as Defender should look for visual cues to step and win the ball. Cues: bad touch, bouncing ball, head down, back turned. Tackle to win the ball, not to kick it away. In 2v2 on communication from player closest to step to the ball 2nd defender gives proper support and cover (angle and distance). Activity #2 Diagram Coaching Points 1v1, 2v2 to Goal: Players defend a goal in 1v1 and then 2v2 situation. Defenders try to score in two smaller counter goals. Coach delivers pass from the side Same points as above When closer to the goal, force opponent away from the goal. If first defender is beaten, 2nd defender slides across and the 1st defender recovers centrally to take up space. Scrimmage Coaching Points Depending on numbers play a final game as close to the real game as possible. 5v5 or 6v6. All the same points listed above Make it as close to the real game as possible Encourage 1v1 opportunities U12-U18 Topic: Defending – Roles of the 1st and 2nd Defenders Objective: To improve the players’ ability to defend and recognize when/how to pressure and
Technical Warm-Up Coaching Points Inter Passing in 3’s or 4’s: Players are in teams with different colors. Each team has one ball and passes and moves freely in the 30x 40 yard grid. Coach: Concentrate on polishing the mechanics of passing and receiving as well as player’s technical speed and individual/group shape. Strike the ball with the proper weight and surface Take 1st touch toward a passing option Keep body position open to the field Develop rhythm of play in traffic Communication Time: 15 minutes Small-Sided Game Coaching Points 4v0 + 4v0: Two groups of 4 players each with one ball per group. Play through each other in the same 30x40 yard grid. Each group focuses on their ball, individual/group shape, and speed of play. Coach: Encourage players to keep a diamond/kite shape with players always being in good supportive positions. Survey the area at all times. This way players can anticipate what to do next with and without the ball Keep body position open to the field Increase speed of play in traffic Keep the width and the depth Communication Time: 20 minutes Advanced Small-Sided Game Coaching Points 4v4 or 5v5 to End Zones: Two teams of 4 or 5 players each play in a 30x40 area with a 2-3 yard end zone on the 30 yard lines Each team defends one end zone and attacks the other. If a team successfully plays the soccer ball into the opposite end zone, they receive a goal. In order to score, the player receiving the soccer ball must arrive into the end zone when the ball is arriving. Waiting for the soccer ball in the end zone will be off-sides. The defenders cannot enter the end zone Recognize visual cues such as: Teammates body shape Supporting positions Defending pressure Runs Rhythm of play based on what the game gives you by increasing speed of play at the right time Adjust team shape as other players move Time: 20 minutes Scrimmage Coaching Points 6v6 or 8v8: (or as big as numbers allow) If 6v6, play in a 45x60 yd. field. If 8v8, play in a 55x80 yd. field. Play with Goalkeepers and encourage them to communicate with teammates. All of the above Time: 30 minutes Topic: Attacking Shape Objective: To help the players understand the importance of individual, group, and team shape when in possession of the ball U12-U18
Topic: Combination Play Objective: To assist players in recognizing when to combine with teammates and what combination is appropriate for the situation. Technical Warm-Up Coaching Points Dutch Square: Half the players create a square in a defined with a ball. Players without balls are in the middle and check to receive a pass from outside players. Once they are inside, players have the ball and they look to connect a pass with another outside player. Review technique of passing & receiving Introduce Take Overs Introduce Wall Passes Introduce Overlaps Time: 15 minutes Small-Sided Game 2v2 to 4 Two trying to score through the cone goals by passing or dribbling, looking for the appropriate chance to execute a combination. Stress the opportunities to combine (wall passing, overlaps, and takeovers). Time: 15 minutes Advanced Small Sided Game 3v3 or 4v4 +1: In a 25x30 yd. grid, two teams of 3 or 4 players, each with a neutral player who plays for the team in possession of the soccer ball, will play to score by passing through the cones. A goal scored after a combination play is worth 5 points. Time: 20 minutes General Quality technique while passing and receiving Be patient & let opportunities develop Positive environment to encourage creative and instinctive play Communication Takeover 2nd attacker runs directly at the 1st attacker from the opposite direction 1st attacker protects the ball from the 1st defender by keeping body between ball and defender 1st attacker leaves the ball and 2nd attacker the ball using same foot (right to right or left to left) Simple communication: “take" or “leave” Wall Pass 1st attacker dribbles at 1st defender 2nd attacker is slightly ahead of defender in good supporting angle turned sideways on 1st attacker reads defenders and supporting cues; decide to dribble or play a wall pass Disguise, deception of pass, and runs Accuracy and quality of pass Look for opportunities to create numbers up situations (2v1, 3v1 etc) Overlap 1st attacker dribbles at 1st defender creating space for 2nd attacker to overlap into; ball gets played into live space 6v6 or 8v8: If 6v6, play in a 45x60 yd. field. If 8v8, play in a 55x80 yd. field. Play with Goalkeepers and encourage them to communicate with teammates. All of the above Time: 30 minutes U12-U18 Topic: Passing for Penetration kObjective: To improve decision making in possession and the ability of the players to beat defenders with a pass