| Drill 1 - Cushion Control using the Thigh |
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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.
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 Thigh”.
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 above head height, for their partner to control using the thigh.
The player controlling the ball should constantly be moving to get their thigh under the flight of the ball. On contact with the ball, the player immediately withdraws the thigh, 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 high "looped" serve and not shallow.
Players can keep score, one point for every successful control. |
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| Drill 2 - Cushion Control using the Chest |
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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 Chest”.
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 above head height for their partner to control using the chest. The player controlling the ball should constantly be moving to get the chest under the flight of the ball.
On contact with the ball, the player immediately withdraws the chest, taking the pace off the ball, and cushioning it down to the ground. The player then passes the ball back to the server to repeat drill. Ensure that the serve is a
high "looped" serve and not shallow. Players can keep score, one point for every successful control. Alternate roles so each player performs the drill.
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| Drill 3 - Relay - Cushion Control - Thigh |
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Objective of the Practice:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of the “Cushion Control using the Thigh”.
Field Preparation:
Grid 10 x 20 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 thigh. 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 match 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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| Drill 4 - Cushion Control Chest Relay |
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Objective of the Practice:
This practice is structured to improve the technical ability of the “Cushion Control using the Chest”.
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 chest. 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 (with goalkeepers) |
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Exercise Objectives:
Finish with small sided game 6 v 6, 7 v 7 (with 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 two equal teams)
Area 40 x 60 yards
Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls
Colored Bibs |
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Coaching Pointers:
- 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.
Record Score:
Team 1_________________ v Team 2 _________________
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice. |
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