Team A
Team B
Goalkeeper
Joker (+1, always plays for the team with the ball)
Ball
Cone
Pass
Dribble
Run
Shot
Activity 1
Technical Warm-Up
Stay & Play Support Passing
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 20W x 30L. Players should be in groups of (4-5) with (1) ball between them. Horizontal players (A,B) provide off ball support, while penetrating players (C,D) make penetrating passes. A-B-C-D (A,B move off ball in support of D) - Repeat pattern & combinations for 90 seconds. Rotate position, roles, and combination pairs.
Goal: Each group of four or five circulates one ball in the pattern A to B to C to D, where A and B give sideways support and C to D is the forward, penetrating pass. As the ball goes forward, the supporting players make curved runs to support the receiver. No scoring: run the pattern and its combinations for 90 seconds, then rotate positions and pairs.
Coaching Points
- Keep head up to direct first touch with the inside of your foot into open space
- Move towards the player with the ball with “open” body shape to play in multiple directions
- Run without the ball with a curve path to provide a large window for teammate to pass into
Activity 2
Small-Sided Activity
3v3 Knock Over the Cone
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 30W x 40L. Set up (2) tall cones on each end-line, representing (2) targets/goals.
Goal: Each team of three attacks the two tall target cones on their opponent's end line and defends the two on their own. You score by passing the ball into a target cone hard enough to knock it over. Knock over both of the opponent's cones to win the game.
Coaching Points
- Time the run to support the ball as it travels towards your teammate
- Position yourself at an angle so the player with the ball can see you & the defender
- Move feet, and up on your toes as you prepare to receive the ball
- Who: The player(s) without the ball
- How: Move towards my teammate with the ball so that my body is open to the field
Activity 3
Expanded Small-Sided Activity
4v4 to One Goal
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 30W x 40L. Place (1) goal on each end-line for the group to attack.
Goal: Two teams of four play to a goal on each end line, scoring by passing the ball into the goal. The value of each goal equals the number of successful consecutive passes the team strings together before scoring, so keeping possession and linking passes is worth more than a quick individual finish.
Coaching Points
- Pass into space in front of teammates so they can run onto the ball - non-kicking foot/plant foot should point to the space the ball will travel
- Toes down, heel up to drive the ball across the space - to move the ball quickly
- What: Knowing when to move to support the ball
- When: If there is a defender near the ball and I am closest to the ball
Activity 4
Game
Goal: Apply what you practiced today in a real game.
Play a scrimmage with the biggest teams possible, or play small-sided if you have fewer players or less space. Reinforce all points above.