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 improve the player’s technical ability when dribbling and running with the ball.
Field Preparation Entire Group Area 20 x 20 yards Supply of Balls Cones
Coaching Pointers:
The whole group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. Four corners are marked off with cones and designated with numbers one through four. Each player has a ball and dribbles around the inside of the grid. Players must
avoid each other. When the coach calls out a number, the players must then dribble the ball quickly to the corner selected while avoiding other players. First player into the corner wins a point.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Maintain control over the ball at all times.
Use a change of speed and direction.
Drill 2 - Truck and Trailer
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player’s technical ability when dribbling and running with the ball.
Field Preparation Entire Group Area 20 x 20 yards Supply of Balls Cones
Coaching Pointers:
Divide the group into pairs with each player having a ball. The group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards.
First player is the “truck” the second player the “trailer”. On the coach’s command the “trailer” must follow the
“truck” as closely as possible around the grid. The “truck” must change speed and direction as much as possible. Players reverse roles when the coach shouts ‘change”. Players must avoid colliding with other teams within the grid.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Maintain control over the ball at all times.
Use a change of speed and direction.
Keep your head up and scan the field.
Drill 3 - Show me the Moves
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve the player’s technical ability when dribbling and running with the ball.
Field Preparation Entire Group Area 20 x 20 yards Supply of Balls Cones
Coaching Pointers:
The group is positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. Each player has a ball. The practice starts with the players dribbling their ball freely around the inside of the grid. The players must instantly react to a series of commands
from the coach. The commands are;
Stop – Players must stop the ball using the sole of the foot. Turn – Players must change direction 180 degrees. Step Over – Players perform a step over move over the ball. Fake – Players must fake to pass or cross the ball. Explode – Players must change speed rapidly into an open area.
Players must avoid colliding with other teams within the grid.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Maintain control over the ball at all times.
Use a change of speed and direction.
Keep your head up and scan the field.
Use a variety of foot surfaces to manipulate the ball.
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.
