| Drill 1 - Follow the Pass |
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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 correct mechanics involved in the execution of the “Push Pass.”
Field Preparation:
 Area 10 x 10 yards. 2 players. 1 ball. Cones.
Coaching Points:
Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 10 yards. One player acts as a server, the other as the receiver.
The server passes the ball into different areas of the grid for the receiver to chase, turn, and pass back to the server.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
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Work at a high intensity.
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Turn as economically as possible when controlling the ball.
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Place non-kicking foot along side the ball, not too close so that it will prevent the natural swinging motion of the kicking leg.
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The ankle of the kicking foot must be firm.
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Use a slight drawback of the kicking foot.
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Strike the ball with the inside of the kicking foot through the horizontal mid-line of the ball.
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The head should be kept steady and eyes fixed firmly on the ball.
Alternate player’s roles every 60 seconds. |
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| Drill 2 - Passing and Support |
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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.
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| Drill 3 - 3 v 1 Passing Under Pressure |
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Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve the technical ability of the “Push Pass” with an emphasis on “disguise, pace, accuracy and timing”.
Field Preparation:
Area 10 x 10 yards. 4 players. 1 ball. Cones. Colored bibs.
Coaching Points:
Three players are positioned within a grid 10 yards by 10 yards. The three players must try and keep possession from the defender. The three players in possession may move anywhere within the grid. The defender's goal is to disposes the players in possession.
The two supporting players must always work to offer the deepest and widest possible angles for the player in possession.
The supporting players should ask themselves two questions when supporting the player in possession:
The player in possession must look to disguise their passing intentions by using step-overs, body feints and head fakes.
They must also have the discipline to hold on to the ball and commit the defender towards them.
If they release the ball too early the defender will have less ground to cover to put pressure on the receiving player. Players in possession are awarded one goal for 10 consecutive passes. Rotate working defender with resting defender frequently to ensure high pressure. Rotate players so each player performs the role of the defender.
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| Drill 4 - Build the Numbers Game |
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Objective of the Practice:
This is a great practice to help improve team possession. The pressure is incrementally increased as more
pressurizing players are added.
Field Preparation:
Area 30 x 30 yards. Large group of players. 1 ball. Cones. Colored bibs.
Coaching Points:
Start the practice with one entire group within a grid 30 yards by 30 yards. The second group stand at the side
of the grid and has one of their players in the grid as a defender. Assign number to each player on the defending group. Play the entire group versus one defender within the grid. Players inside attempt to keep possession.
When coach calls a number, that player sprints into grid and defends. For example, with groups of 8 players, the
drill can create
8 v 1, 8 v 2, 8 v 4 etc. Change roles of teams.
Start practice with free play then develop by conditioning the drill to "two" and "one" touch passing.
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| Small-Sided Game (with goalkeepers) |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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