SOCCER

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 each player’s ability in ball control. The emphasis is placed on “Cushion Control using the Feet”.

Field Preparation:
Grid 10 x 10 yards. 2 players. Cones. 1 Ball.

Coaching Points:  
Two players per grid, with one ball. The grid should be 10 yards x 10 yards. The players are positioned facing each other about 5 yards apart. The player with the ball starts the practice by serving the ball from waist height, for his partner to control using the laces of the shoe. The player controlling the ball should get the controlling foot under the flight of the ball. On contact with the ball, the player immediately withdraws the foot, taking the pace off the ball, and cushioning it down to the ground. The player then serves the ball for his partner. Ensure that the serve is a "looped" serve and not shallow.  

Players can keep score, one point for every successful control.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s ability in Ball Control. The emphasis is placed on “Cushion Control using the Thigh”. 

Field Preparation:
Grid 10 x 10 yards. 2 players. Cones. 1 Ball.

Coaching Points:  
Two players per grid, with one ball. The grid should be 10 yards x 10 yards. The players are positioned facing each other about 5 yards apart. The player with the ball starts the practice by serving the ball above head height, for their partner to control using the thigh.

The player controlling the ball should constantly be moving to get their thigh under the flight of the ball. On contact with the ball, the player immediately withdraws the thigh, taking the pace off the ball, and cushioning it down to the ground. The player then serves the ball for his partner. Ensure that the serve is a high "looped" serve and not shallow. 

Players can keep score, one point for every successful control.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s ability in ball control. The emphasis is placed on “Cushion Control using the Feet or Thighs”.

Field Preparation:
Grid 20 x 20 yards. Groups of 2 players. Cones. 1 Ball per group.

Coaching Points:  
Two players with one ball. The players are positioned facing each other about 5 yards apart. The player with the ball starts the practice by rolling the ball along the ground for their partner to control using the inside of the foot. They can also gently throw the ball to their partners thigh. The player controlling the ball should get behind the flight of the ball. On contact with the ball, the player immediately withdraws the foot or thigh, taking the pace off the ball, and cushioning it. The player then passes the ball back to the server.  

Players can keep score, one point for every successful control.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of the "Cushion Control using the Feet and Thigh”.

Field Preparation:
Grid 20 x 20 yards. 8 players. Cones. 4 Balls

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Coaching Points:  
Eight players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. One cone is placed in the center of the grid as a marker. Four players are positioned in the corners of the grid, each with a ball. Four players start from the center cone, each facing one of the servers. The players in the center of the grid receive a high looped throw from the server or a rolled pass on the ground. The player must prevent the ball from hitting the ground using the Cushion Control with the Thigh, or cushion it with the foot. After controlling the ball the player must pass back to the server, check back to the center cone and repeat with the next server to the right. The players continue for approximately 3 minutes.

Emphasis should be placed on quality control. The pass should be played back at the correct pace so the receiver can control the ball with ease. It is advised to have an extra ball at each cone to keep the tempo of the practice constant.

A point is scored for each control and pass completed. Each player should keep his own score. A team total can
be recorded to challenge the next set of four players.

• 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.