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 the correct mechanics involved in the execution of the “Push Pass", with an emphasis on accuracy. 

Field Preparation:
Area 20 x 20 yards. 2 players. 1 ball.

Coaching Points:
Two players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. One player starts the practice with two balls. The player passes the first ball to their partner to control and redirect approximately 2 to 5 yards in front of them. They then pass the second ball for their partner to redirect and try to hit the first ball.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points: 

• Keep the feet moving and be balanced at all times.

• Develop a feel for the correct distance you need to redirect the ball.

• Adjust the body position to hit the ball with the pass.

• Give firm and accurate passes to your partner feet when serving.

The first player to hit the ball 3 times wins. Rotate so different players compete against each other.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve a players quick thinking to play one or two touch passes. 

Field Preparation:
Area 10 x 10 yards. 2 players. 1 ball.

Coaching Points:
Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 10 yards. The practice starts when one player passes the ball to their partner. At the same time they pass the ball they must shout out either "one" or "two". When receiving the ball their partner must take as many touches as the number called.  If the number is "one" they must pass the ball back first time. If the number is "two" they must control the ball on their first touch and return the pass on their second touch. When returning the pass to their partner they also call out a number. 

Players are awarded a point for every mistake that their partner makes. First player to get five points wins.
Rotate so different players compete against each other. 

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points: 

• Make sure players call out the number at the same time they pass the ball to allow time for the receiving player to react.

• Players should always be alert and light on their feet.

• Deliver quality accurate ground passes.

If the player has to take a touch before passing, ensure that the first touch is played in front of the player and out of his feet, enabling him to easily pass the ball on his second touch. 

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

Field Preparation:
Area 10 x 20 yards. Four players. Two balls. Cones.

Coaching Points:
Position four players in a grid 10 yards by 20 yards. Place a server with a ball at both sides of the grid. Each server passes the ball to the two receivers to pass back "first time" to the server. The players in the center should work at full speed and concentrate on quality first touch passing.

If a working player turns to a server for a pass, and the server is retrieving the ball, the player must continue to run and turn to receive the ball from the opposite server. The player should not wait for a server to retrieve the ball.

Create a competition between players and see who can get the most passes in 60 seconds.

   The first player to reach 20 good passes wins.
   Only passes made on the ground are countable.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve the technical ability of the “Push Pass” with an emphasis on accuracy and explosive movement off the ball.

Field Preparation:
Area 20 x 20 yards. Entire Group of players. Large supply of balls. Cones.

Coaching Points:
Four players are positioned in the grid with the remainder of the group spread evenly around the outside of the grid.
A minimum of 10 balls are scattered inside the grid. On the coach’s command, the two players within the grid have
2 minutes to make as many passes as they can to the outside players. After receiving a pass, the servers pass the ball back into an open area in the grid.

Players must work at full speed and concentrate on quality passing. Outside players should be constantly talking and alert for passes. Rotate two middle players every two minutes.

• 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.