| Drill 1 - Cushion Control using the Top of the Foot |
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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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Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s ability in ball control. The emphasis is placed on “Cushion
Control using the Feet”.
Field Preparation:
 Grid 10 x 10 yards. 2 players. Cones. 1 Ball.
Coaching Points:
Two players per grid, with one ball. The grid should be 10 yards x 10 yards. The players are positioned facing each other about 5 yards apart. The player with the ball starts the practice by serving the ball from waist height, for his partner to control using the laces of the shoe. The player controlling the ball should get the controlling foot under
the flight of the ball. On contact with the ball, the player immediately withdraws the foot, taking the pace off the ball, and cushioning it down to the ground. The player then serves the ball for his partner. Ensure that the serve is a "looped" serve and not shallow.
Players can keep score, one point for every successful control. |
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| Drill 2 - Cushion Control on the Run |
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Objective of the Practice:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of the “Cushion Control using the Feet”.
Field Preparation:
Grid 10 x 10 yards. 2 players. Cones. 1 Ball.
Coaching Points:
Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 10 yards. The server throws a looped pass to the receiving player. The ball should be served approximately 5 yards in front of the server. With a correct serve the receiving player is always encouraged to come and meet the ball.
The player runs towards the server and receives the ball from the server. The receiving player must control the ball using the foot. After successfully controlling the ball the player must pass the ball back to the server. The player receives a point for each successful control and pass back to the server. After each pass the receiver must return to the starting position and repeat.
The coach should emphasize correct technique and slowly build up the tempo to match speed. Care must be taken to emphasize quality over speed. Create a competition between groups. Keep score and award points for the first player to reach 20 good controls and passes or who can perform the most controls and passes in one minute.
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| Drill 3 - Relay - Cushion Control - Top of Foot |
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Objective of the Practice:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of the “Cushion Control using the Feet”.
Field Preparation:
Grid 10 x 10 yards. Small group of players. Cones. 1 Ball.
Coaching Points:
A small group of players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 10 yards. The server throws a high looped pass to the receiving player. The ball should be served approximately 5 yards in front of the server. With a correct serve the receiving player is always encouraged to come and meet the pass.
The players alternate receiving the ball from the server. The receiving player must prevent the ball from hitting the ground by controlling the ball using the foot. After successfully controlling the ball the player must pass the ball
back to the server. The player receives a point for each successful control and pass back to the server. After each pass the receiver must turn and join the end of the group.
The coach should emphasize correct technique and slowly build up the tempo to game speed. Care must be taken to emphasize quality over speed. Create a competition between groups. Keep score and award points for the first team to reach 20 good controls and passes or the team who can perform the most controls and passes in one minute.
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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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