SOCCER

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 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 rolling the ball along the ground, for his partner to control using the inside of the foot. The player controlling the ball should get the controlling foot behind 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. The player then passes the ball back to the server.

Players can keep score, one point for every successful control.

Objective of the Practice:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s ability in “ball control”. The emphasis is placed on getting behind the flight of the ball early, so the player is composed and comfortable when controlling the ball.

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 at each end of the grid. The player with the ball starts the practice by rolling the ball to the side of their partner and in between the cones. As the ball is traveling towards the receiving player, they must quickly get behind the flight of the ball and be in a balanced position ready to control it. The player must control the ball with their feet and pass it back to their partner. The speed of the service should be increased gradually. Ensure that the ball is not rolled too close to the receiving player. Have the server aim for the inside of the cones.

The earlier the player gets behind the flight of the ball, the more time that player will have to control it. Swap roles so each performs the drills.

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 rolling the ball along the ground, for their partner to control using the inside of the foot. The player controlling the ball should get the controlling foot behind 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. The player then passes the ball back to the server.  

Players can keep score, one point for every successful control.

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 rolls the ball along the ground to the receiving players. Players alternate receiving the ball from the server.

The receiving player must control the ball using the inside of the foot. After successfully controlling the ball the player must pass the ball back to the server, turn and join the end of the line. The player receives a point for each successful control and pass back to the server.

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.

• 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.