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 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.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to help players create space when passing as a group. 

Field Preparation:
Area 30 x 30 yards. Large group of players. Balls. Cones. Colored bibs.

Coaching Points:
An area is marked out approximately 30 yards by 30 yards. Large group, plus one defender are positioned within the grid. 

The players must attempt to keep possession from the defender within the grid. The team scores a goal each time a player can receive the ball in enough space to "sit on the ball". The 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: 

• How wide can I get to give the best possible passing lane?

• How far from the player can I get to give the maximum time on the ball when the pass is received?

   

Rotate working defender frequently to ensure high pressure. 

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.

Objective of the Practice:
This is a good attacking exercise that emphasizes disciplined passing and movement. It develops good passing techniques, good movement and first touch.

Field Preparation
 12 Players (6 v 6)
  Area 30 yards x 30 Yards
  Supply of Balls and Cones

Coaching Points
Play two teams of 6 v6 inside the square. Identify teams using colored bibs. The object of the game is for a team to get 8 consecutive passes but the 8th pass must be chip pass and caught by the receiving player.  

Variations:
  8th pass must be chip pass and headed by the receiving player to a team mate.
  8th pass must be chip pass and controlled by the receiving player and juggled twice.

• 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.