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Developmental Academy Coaching Sessions

Week 5 - Ball Control

by Darren Beesley, (USSF A / UEFA A)

Warm Up - 10mins

Make small squares (5x5 to 8x8).  Each player starts without a ball.  One player starts at one cone outside the square while the other player starts at a cone directly opposite. The coach designates who will be the Chaser. When coach says Chase, one of the players starts chasing the other.  If the Chaser tags the other player before they go around and back to their starting cone, they get a point.  If the player being chased gets back to their starting cone, then they get a point.  

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Coaching Point - Running without the ball, change of Speed, change of Direction, Balance, Coordination

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Make it Fun -  Competition, keep count points and score, winners challenge each other and rotate squares.

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Chase Tag No Ball.png

1v1 The Chase - 10mins

Each player now starts with a ball.  Same as above. One player starts at one cone outside the square while the other player starts at a cone directly opposite. The coach designates who will be The Chaser. When the coach says Chase, one of the players starts chasing the other. but this time with a ball. 

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Coaching Point - Running with the ball, Change of Speed, Change of Direction with the ball, Balance, Coordination, Both feet

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Make it Fun -  Competition, keep count points and score, winners challenge each other and rotate squares you can also have the chaser without the ball to challenge the player with the ball.

Chase Tag Soccer Balls.png

1v1 End Zone - 10mins

Set up channels wide enough for 1v1 with an end zone at each end. Defender can start with the ball and play a pass to the attacker. 1v1 attacking player has to dribble the ball into the end zone and place is foot on the ball and have it under control to score a point. If the defender wins the ball he becomes an attacker and attacks the opposite end zone.

 

Coaching Point - Control, Dribbling, Ball Control, Moves to off balance the opposing defender.

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Make it Fun -  Competition, keep count points and score, winners challenge each other and rotate who they play against. Pyramid system where the winner remains on the top field, winners move up and rotate who they play.

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End Zone 1v1.png

2v1s/2v2s - 10mins

Set up the channels slightly wider to allow 2v1 and 2v2. Defender again starts with the ball and plays a pass to the attacker. 2v1 attacking players can now dribble 1v1 or pass 2v1 to dribble the ball into the end zone and place their foot on the ball and have it under control to score a point. If the defender wins the ball he becomes an attacker and attacks the opposite end zone still

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Advancement - You can pass the ball into the end zone and the attacking team mate can arrive as the ball arrives to score

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Coaching Point - Ball Control, Dribbling, Ball Control, Moves to off balance the opposing defender. Decision making, when to pass and when to dribble.

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Make it Fun - Same as above - Competition, keep count points and score, winners challenge each other and rotate who they play against. Pyramid system where the winner remains on the top field, winners move up and rotate who they play.

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End Zone 2v1.png

4v4s End Zone - 10mins

4v4 without goals. Use End Zones that the attacking team have to dribble in to score or make a pass for the teammate to arrive as the ball arrives. 

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Coaching Point - Players need to lift up theit head. When to dribble, when to pass, Ball Control. Width.

 

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End Zone Game.png

4v4 Game 20mins

4v4 Game. Try to play 4v4 whenever possible to reinforce the Shape of a Diamond whilst playing 4v4. If need be rotate players in and out to allow them to get used to game days on a Saturday.

 

Coaching Point - Diamond Shape, Spacing. Encourage all aspects of the Session/Ball Control.

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