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.
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics when shooting the ball.
Field Preparation 2 Players Area 10 x 10 yards Cones 1 Ball
Coaching Pointers: Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards by 10 yards. One player is the goalkeeper, the second a receiver.
The goalkeeper stands in between the two cones and rolls the ball towards the receiver. The receiver steps towards the ball and shoots the ball at the goal. After shooting the ball, the receiver must return to the starting position.
Both players should alternate roles.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Remember to keep the head steady and eyes fixed firmly on the ball.
Approach the ball at a slight angle.
This will assist the natural swinging motion of the kicking leg.
The last stride to the ball should be the longest stride.
The non-kicking foot should be placed along side and slightly in front of the ball.
Contact on the ball with the kicking foot should be made through the horizontal mid-line of the ball.
The kicking foot should be fully extended down and the ball should be struck with the laces of the shoe.
The follow through should be made through the center of the ball and continue in the direction of the goal.
Drill 2 - Shooting Basics 2
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics when shooting the ball.
Field Preparation 2 Players Area 10 x 10 yards Cones 1 Ball
Coaching Pointers: Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards by 20 yards. One player is the server, the second a receiver.
The players start the practice at one end of the grid. The server stands approximately 2 yards from the receiver
and rolls the ball towards the receiver. The receiver steps towards the ball and shoots the ball back to the server’s hands. The server then retreats 2 yards and repeats the service. This is done until both players reach the opposite side of the grid, then both players change roles.
Drill 3 - Shooting Relay
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to introduce the novice player to the correct mechanics when shooting the ball.
Field Preparation Small group of players Area 10 x 20 yards Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
Four players are positioned in a grid 10 yards by 20 yards with one player as the goalkeeper. The practice starts when the first shooter inline pushes the ball forward and shoots at goal. After shooting, the players must retrieve their ball and return to the starting position and join the end of the line. Players should alternate roles of the goalkeeper.
Small-Sided Game (no goalkeepers)
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.
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
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.
