| Drill 1 - Push Pass Mechanics |
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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.
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Objectives:
This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics involved in the execution of the “Push Pass.”
Field Preparation:
 Two players with one ball.
Coaching Points:
Two players are positioned in a grid 5 yards x 5 yards. One player kneels holding the ball firmly between their
hands. The other player alternates stepping towards the ball and performing the “Push Pass.”
The players should always step towards the ball and try to hit the ball in their stride. The players should alternate holding the ball.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
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Approach the ball at a slight angle.
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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.
- The head should be kept steady and eyes fixed firmly on the ball.
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| Drill 2 - Lock the Ankle |
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Objectives of the Practice:
This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics involved in the execution of the “Push Pass”.
Field Preparation:
Two players with one ball.
Coaching Points:
Two players are positioned in a grid 5 yards x 5 yards. The players are positioned on either side of the ball.
In pairs the players step towards the ball and lock the ball between their feet as they perform the “Push Pass”.
To ensure the timing coincides, one player should slowly count out loud "one, two, three". On the three count the players move towards the ball. The players should always step towards the ball and try to hit the ball in their stride.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
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Approach the ball at a slight angle.
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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.
- The head should be kept steady and eyes fixed firmly on the ball.
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| Drill 3 - Under the Bridge |
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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 10 x 10 yards. Three players. One ball, Four cones.
Coaching Points:
Three players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 10 yards. One player is placed in the middle and presents themselves as a target by making a tunnel with their legs. The other two players try to pass the ball through the tunnel. The distance should be increased slowly to make the practice more challenging.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
The first player to get the ball through the tunnel 5 times wins. Rotate so different players compete against each other.
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| Small-Sided Game (no goalkeepers) |
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Exercise Objectives:
Finish with small sided game 3 v 3 (No 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 teams of three or fours)
Area 20 x 20 yards
Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls
Colored Bibs |
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Coaching Pointers:
- Divide the players into teams of three or fours, no goalkeepers.
- Each field should be approximately 20 yards x 20 yards.
- Use corner flags or cones as goals.
- Small-sided round robin tournaments can be used.
- Every team plays each other.
- Each game 10 minutes in duration.
- Total time, 30 minutes.
- At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.
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