Team A
Team B
Goalkeeper (Team A)
Goalkeeper (Team B)
Joker: An extra attacking player who always plays for whichever team has the ball, so the team in possession is always a player up.
Ball
Cone
Pass
Dribble
Run
Shot
Activity 1
Technical Warm-Up
H.O.R.S.E. Aerial Service
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 20W x 30L. Build (4) "boxes" at opposite ends of the field, across from one another, 5x5x5x5. Players alternate turns serving the ball to one another. The ball must be played in the air, and land inside the "box." The players must control the ball INSIDE the box in 2 touches or less before the return service. Play until one players acquires H.O.R.S.E., then change opponents. Accumulate a letter (just like basketball version) - *Service outside opponents box; *Control of service; outside box
Goal: Players take turns serving aerial balls into the opponent's 5x5 box. A letter is earned when a service lands outside the box or the receiver fails to control the ball inside the box within 2 touches. First player to spell H.O.R.S.E. loses; then switch opponents.
Coaching Points
- Angle of approach should have curved, or 45-degree angle path towards ball - keep hips open
- Strike the bottom half of the ball, plant foot behind the ball
- Foot should strike the center of the bottom of the ball to produce back spin
Activity 2
Small-Sided Activity
5v5 Aerial Target Passing
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 30W x 50L. Position (1) from each team at the end of the space behind the end-line. 4v4, players look to connect with their target through an aerial pass behind the defense. The pass must be controlled with (2) touches to score a point. Variations - *Aerial pass controlled with 1 touch = 2pts.; *Aerial pass made with 1-touch pass = 4pts.
Goal: Score points by playing an aerial pass over the defense to your target player stationed behind the end-line; the target must control the ball in 2 touches or fewer to earn 1 point. Bonus scoring: aerial pass controlled in 1 touch = 2pts; aerial pass made as a 1-touch pass from the passer = 4pts.
Coaching Points
- When receiving the ball, the first touch should be away from the body with the inside of the foot to allow for a lofted/aerial pass
- Speed of approach to the ball should be medium pace, with an angled/curved path to strike the ball
- What: Look up and make eye contact before you make the pass
- When: Make the pass when you do not have any pressuring defenders, and there is space to play an aerial pass
Activity 3
Expanded Small-Sided Activity
6v6 Aerial Build to Goal
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 50W x 60L. Position (1) large goal at opposite ends of the field. Score by shooting the ball in the goal. Goal = 1pt. Aerial Service & Goal = 2pts. Aerial Passes in buildup, Aerial Service, & Goal = 4pts.
Goal: Score in the large goal to earn points. A standard goal = 1pt. Scoring after an aerial service into the final third = 2pts. Scoring after aerial passes in buildup AND an aerial service = 4pts. Teams are rewarded for using aerial play throughout the sequence.
Coaching Points
- When: Players without the ball should make runs into space when my head looks up and then goes back down to strike the ball
- Where: In wide areas, or deep areas away from the field - I should look to play aerial passes
- Why: Aerial passes will allow me to get in behind the defense quickly
Activity 4
Game
Goal: Apply what you practiced today in a real game.
Finish with a 9v9 game applying today's formation and focus. If you have fewer players, play the largest small-sided game your numbers allow. Reinforce all the points above.