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
How Close Can You Get?
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 20W x 30L. Each player has a ball at their feet dribbling in the space. When the coach yells, "GO!" the players make eye contact with one another and begin to dribble towards one another. They should dribble at normal speed, and try to get their balls as close to each other as they can, before turning away at the last minute. After they turn away they should accelerate into open space and wait for the next "GO!" Turns: Inside foot, Outside foot, Drag back, Pull back
Goal: Each player dribbles their own ball in the space. On the coach's "GO!", two players make eye contact and dribble toward each other, trying to get their balls as close as possible before turning away at the last moment. After turning, each accelerates into open space and waits for the next call. No scoring: the aim is a clean, controlled turn (inside foot, outside foot, drag back, pull back) and a quick getaway.
Coaching Points
- Push the ball away from body, plant foot/standing foot should be away from the ball, and under the body
- Reach for the ball with 1 foot (inside, outside, or bottom of foot)
- Take a touch to change direction of the ball, second touch should be into space to accelerate into a new direction
Activity 2
Small-Sided Activity
3v3 to Four Goals
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 20W x 30L. Place (2) cones on each end-line, in each corner. Making (4) goals. The goals should be 3 yards wide. Play 3v3. Dribble through the gates to score.
Goal: Two teams of three play in the space with a 3-yard cone gate in each of the four corners. A team scores by dribbling the ball under control through any gate. With goals in all four corners, players are rewarded for turning away from pressure and attacking whichever gate the defense leaves open.
Coaching Points
- Application of technique (dribbling, receiving)
- What: Turning away from pressure
- Who: The player with the ball
Activity 3
Expanded Small-Sided Activity
4v4 to One Goal & Two Counter Goals
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 30W x 40L. Place (2) cones on one end-line, in each corner. Making (2) goals. The goals should be 3 yards wide. Place (1) goal on the opposite end line. Play 4v4. Score by passing the ball in the goal, or by dribbling through cone goals .
Goal: Two teams of four play across the field. One team scores by passing the ball into the single full goal on their attacking end line; the other scores by dribbling through either of the two 3-yard corner cone gates on the opposite end line. Because each team attacks a different kind of goal, players must check their shoulder, turn away from pressure, and pick the open target.
Coaching Points
- While in possession head up and look for pressuring defender. Check all around the area for open space
- 2nd touch when turning, needs to be pushed into space 3-5 yards away from body to allow for multiple steps to accelerate away from pressure
- How: Checking over my shoulder while dribbling, taking a touch away from my body, and quickly accelerating into open space away from pressure
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.