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 tactical understanding of the 2 v 2 situation with an emphasis on “disguise, pace, accuracy and timing”.   

Field Preparation:
Area 20 x 20 yards. 8 players. Balls. Cones. Colored bibs.

Coaching Points:
Eight players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. A player is positioned at each corner of the grid. Four players are positioned inside the grid, in teams of two. The practice starts with a ball played from one of the end players to either of the pairs in the grid. Whichever pair wins the ball must try to turn and play a pass to the players at the opposite end of the grid. If the same pair are successful they then receive the ball back from the end player and try to repeat the practice to the opposite end of the grid. 

The two players not in possession must try to win the ball and find one of the corner players with a pass. A goal is scored for each successful pass. A goal cannot be scored in succession from the same side. Back passes can be made.

Players in the center should work for approximately 5 minutes then rotate with players in the corners. The four players in the corners of the grid should constantly be looking for passes from the central players.  When passing a ball to a central player he should tell the player to "hold the ball, turn, man-on or play the ball back".

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve each players technical ability in short range passing with an emphasis on “disguise, pace, accuracy and timing”.

Field Preparation:
Area 20 x 30 yards. 10 players. Balls. Cones. Colored bibs.

Coaching Points:
An area is marked out approximately 20 yards by 30 yards. Three inner grids are marked 10 yards long and 20 yards wide.

Four players are positioned in each of the end grids. Two defenders are placed in the center grid. Defenders must wear different colored vests.

The practice starts with one group of four players keeping possession from the two defenders. The four players must obtain a minimum of four consecutive passes then pass the ball to the opposite team. The two defenders must try to win the ball. Rotate players so each player performs the role of the defender. 

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?

   

The player in possession must look to disguise his passing intentions using step-overs, body feints and head fakes. He must also have the discipline to hold on to the ball and commit the defender towards him.  If he releases the ball too early the defender will have less ground to cover to put pressure on the receiving player. 

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve “forward” passing for players. 

Field Preparation:
Center grid is 20 x 20 yards, end grids 10 x 20 yards. 12 players. Balls. Cones. Colored bibs.

Coaching Points:
Use two teams of six players. Four players in each team are positioned and restricted to the center grid. Two players on each team act as “target players” and are placed in the end grid on the same side as their team.  Center grid is 20 x 20 yards, end grids 10 x 20 yards.

The coach begins the practice by serving a lofted ball into the center grid. Both teams fight for possession. Once a team has possession the object is to play the ball forward to one of the two “target players” as quickly as possible using the minimum amount of passes. A goal is scored by successfully passing the ball to the target player’s feet.  

Players should use various techniques such as dribbling, turning, crossover runs and the “wall pass” to position themselves for forward passes. The coach should keep the service rapid as soon as a goal is scored.

Rotate target players with two central players every five minutes.

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.

• 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.