AGES 11 TO 12 - WEEK THREE

Drill 1 - Numbers Game

Warm Up:
Refer to the “Warm Up” section for a variety of fun warm up activities for your team. Use a combination of exercises “with” and “without” the ball. Relate the warm up to the skill of the day. Be creative, energetic, and make the warm-up a fun start to the practice session.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve the technical ability of the “Push Pass” with an emphasis on awareness of supporting players.

Field Preparation:
Area 20 x 20 yards. Small group of players. 1 ball. Cones.

Coaching Points:
Divide your players into groups of fives. Position each group inside a grid, with one ball per group. The grid is approximately 20 yards x 20 yards. Each player has a number 1 through 5. The players pass the ball around the grid using the "push pass".

The practice starts with #1 passing to #2, #2 must pass to #3, #3 must pass to #4, #4 passes to #5 and #5 must pass to #1.

This sequence is maintained throughout the drill. Each receiving player must shout out their number to attract the attention of the passing player e.g.: If #1 has the ball, #2 must shout out their number to attract the attention of the player.

The players should move continually around the full area of the grid, constantly adjusting their position. Players should be encouraged to look around them before they receive a pass, enabling them to identify the next passing option quickly.

Drill 2 - The Color Game

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve each player's vision when passing the ball.

Field Preparation:

Area 30 x 30 yards. Small group of players. 1 ball. Cones. Colored bibs.

Coaching Points:
An area is marked out approximately 30 yards by 30 yards. Divide players into two groups and identify each team with different colored vests. Players move around grid passing the ball "two touch". The passes must always be in the sequence of "Red Player - Yellow Player" (red can only pass to yellow and yellow to red). This forces players to scan the area before receiving the pass. Progress to "one touch" play. Encourage players on the ball to pass over a variety of distances, not always a short pass. Encourage players off the ball to get into a position in line of the players vision (don't hide). Condition the players "not to talk or clap" for the ball. All communication is visual. Then take off condition.

Progression:

On the coaches command the player in possession must pass to the player named by the coach. When the coach shout's "Johnny" the player in possession must quickly scan the field, locate the player, and pass quickly to the player’s feet. The play is continued with the "Red-Yellow" sequence until the coach calls another player’s name.

Drill 3 - Passing and Support

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve short range passing with an emphasis on quality movement off the ball.

Field Preparation:

Area 10 x 10 yards. 4 players. 1 ball. Cones.

Coaching Points:
Four players are positioned on the outside lines of a grid 10 yards by 10 yards. Players pass the ball around the outside of the grid. After passing the ball the player should offer a good supporting angle. Players should be constantly moving their feet and asking for the ball.

Care should be taken on the quality of the speed of the pass and the pass should be accurate to the player’s feet.

Drill 4 - Pass Outside the Grid

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve the technical ability of the “Push Pass” with an emphasis on “pace, accuracy and timing”.

Field Preparation:
Area 10 x 10 yards. 5 players. 1 ball. Cones.

Coaching Points:
A grid is marked off 10 yards by 10 yards. A player is positioned on each side of the grid. One defender is placed in the center of the grid. Three resting defenders are stationed outside the grid.

The object of the practice is for the four players on the outside of the grid to keep possession of the ball without it being intercepted by the center defender. The outside players cannot enter the grid and the pressurizing defender cannot leave the grid. The outside players receive a goal for eight consecutive passes. Increase the number of passes per goal to challenge players. Coach can also place a condition of one or two touch passing.

Rotate working defender with resting defender frequently to ensure high pressure. Rotate players so each player performs the role of the defender.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

Players should always be alert and light on their feet.
Disguise your intentions before passing the ball by using head fakes and body feints.
Deliver quality accurate ground passes to feet.
Deliver a pass your partner can hit first time.
Consider the speed of the pass, not too hard and not too soft.
Offer a good supporting angle once you have passed the ball.
Communicate with the player in possession of ball.

Small-Sided Game (with goalkeepers)

Exercise Objectives:
Finish with small sided game 6 v 6, 7 v 7 (with Goalkeepers). The practice should be concluded with a small-sided game reinforcing the coaching points from your drills.

Field Preparation
Entire Group (split into two equal teams)
Area 40 x 60 yards
Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls
Colored Bibs

Coaching Pointers:

Divide the players into two equal teams with goalkeepers.
Each field should be approximately 40 yards x 60 yards.
Use corner flags or cones as goals.
Total time, 20-30 minutes.
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.

Record Score:

Team 1_________________ v Team 2 _________________

At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.

Schedule

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten
Week Eleven
Week Twelve

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