1 V 1 attackers back to goal by Jeff Pill improve defending, shooting and ball control.

The Game Server passes the football so that it stays in the grid. Attacker is the only one able to play the ball initially. Attacker attempts to turn with the ball and: a. Dribble under control over the end line for 1 point. b. Pass the ball through the goal for 3 points. The player defending attempts to: a. Win the ball and dribble over the opposite line for 1 point. If the ball goes out of the grid, no points for either player. Alternate roles. Coaching Points Defenders: Do not allow the attacker to turn. Play him honestly. Do not let him know where you are by 'leaning' on him. He will use this over-commitment to turn you. Tackle when the attacker turns, and only when certain of winning the ball. If attacker turns, play them honestly, but deny pass into the goal. However, do not overplay this option too extremely as this will allow the attacker to dribble right by. Attackers: Make a self-pass in order to escape pressure. Turn and face the defender as soon as possible. When facing defender, take him on with speed. Use short, controlled steps. Use quick changes of pace and direction. 1v1v1

A 1 v 1 v 1 drill that induces the player in possession to create a shooting position my thanks to Soccer Skills Youth FC for this game

Game Rules One ball for three players in the area shown in the diagram, approximately 15 yards square. Each player plays against the other two players. Each player tries to score in a goal four to five yards wide. When the ball goes out of play, the coach puts another ball in play. Goalkeeper making a save throws the ball to the coach. After 10 balls are served, all three players and the goalkeeper are changed. Keep score and play the winners against each other to name the champion. Player Objectives Control the ball from the coach. Manipulate the ball to avoid challenges. Shield the ball when necessary. Change direction - turn with the ball. Change pace. Shoot at the earliest opportunity. introducing 1-2-3 defending With young players, the hardest, and in my opinion, the most important single aspect to get across is that the closest person to the opponent with the football DOES NOT have the responsibility to win the ball! Once defenders understand this, about 90% of diving in is eliminated and the attackers job becomes much harder. It also reinforces the next most important concept: that somebody had BETTER be moving to cover the space behind the closest defender! That is the player who will, most often, wind up winning the ball. You can demonstrate this quite easily by selecting the best defensive soccer player on the team, placing that player isolated out on the pitch, point to a goal for him or her to defend, and then tell them to "get the ball" from you. Then, simply dribble up to the player, push the ball past, into space, and run onto it. If you can get the defender to step towards you, you can do this quite easily. Ask the team why this was so easy. Now ask how you can prevent it from happening. Somebody should come up with having a teammate behind the pressuring defender. Now repeat the demonstration with another opponent who has been instructed to cover the space. Also ask the closest (pressuring) defender to not win the ball unless a mistake is made

by the attacker. Run it again and you should see a huge improvement. Closest person to the opponent with the ball (the first defender) applies the PRESSURE YOUR JOB IS TO SLOW THE ATTACK, NOT WIN THE BALL Slow the attacker down Apply just enough pressure to get the attackers head down Make the attack predictable and push the attack to the least dangerous part of the field Only attempt to win the ball if the attacker makes a mistake and you are sure to win it. BE PATIENT! Tips for the first defender Pressure the ball IMMEDIATELY! Do not dive in, just slow the attack down and make it predictable. PATIENCE!! Eyes on the ball Weight even between legs, and forward on toes, knees bent Feet shoulder width apart, one foot forward Do not mark too close until you have help - a wall pass may beat you. Mark close enough that the attacker has to keep her head down looking at the ball. Herd the attacker towards the touch-line Tackle only if you are sure you will win the ball. Risk tackles more in the offensive third of the field (closer to the opponents goal) Tackle if the attacker is alone and outnumbered. Tackle if you can touch the ball before the attacker can. The next closest person to the ball provides the COVER YOUR JOB IS TO BACK UP THE PRESSURING DEFENDER. Cover the space behind the pressuring defender. Adjust your distance based on the speed of the attack, and the skill and speed of the attacker. Communicate with the pressuring defender, let him or her know that you are there, tell them which way to push the attack, if necessary. Others provide the BALANCE Mark any nearby attacking threats who could receive the ball directly from the ball carrier. Track and other attackers who are moving, or could move into threatening positions. Cut out any passing lanes. This can often be done while marking or tracking opponents. Communicate with your teammates. Point out any unmarked threats, or any opponents making runs. Be ready to assume the role of pressuring or covering defender if the situation changes. Tips for the second and third defenders 2nd Defender: Cover the space behind the 1st defender. LET THE 1st DEFENDER KNOW YOU ARE THERE! Be a little bit toward the goal side usually. 3rd Defender: Cut off passing options; especially square (cross-field) passes. You can either mark the receivers, or the space between them and the ball. RECOVER - It is never to late to run back and help your team-mates. STAY COMPACT - Do not be drawn out of shape. Make sure that the far post area is covered as the ball nears your goal.

Do not be caught ball watching. Track players moving forward. Do not release your mark to go after a back pass unless you are CERTAIN that a team-mate is there to cover, AND does not have a mark of his own to cover! Usually this means the covering player TELLS YOU TO GO. So communicate! practice 123 defending with Breakaways download 'an introduction to defending' soccer drills and games that improve shooting skills Penalty Box Soccer

Objective: Practice scoring goals and marking in the penalty area. Area: Penalty area (directly in front of the goal). Players: Teams of three, two goalkeepers. Equipment: Two sets of training bibs. At least six soccer balls Goal and two corner flags (or four corner flags for two goals) Formation: Two teams of three are in the penalty area with a keeper defending each goal. Procedure: The game starts with the keeper of the one team throwing the ball to a team-mate. The game is decided by the first goal scored. The team that scores stays on the field and the losing team is replaced by a new team. To keep the game moving, keep plenty of balls in the goal and put a two-minute time limit on each game. If neither team scores in two minutes, both teams go off and two new teams restart the game. Make sure to balance the teams. The winner is the team with the most goals after 20 minutes. Top of page Marbles Players are organised into pairs, each with a ball. Standing with her back to the field of play, the first player throws her ball over her head. The second player then kicks her ball from the starting point and tries to hit the ball that was thrown. Play alternates by kicks until one ball is hit. The players then change over and start again. Coaches should emphasise instep kicks for length and the side of the foot for accuracy. Make it a condition that every other game is left foot only.

Four Goal Game (heads up!) Set up four 2 cone goals in each corner of a 20 yd x 30 yd grid. Divide players into two equal teams. Players may score at any of the four goals. This is an excellent game for encouraging teamwork; getting heads up and discouraging bunching round the ball. Shoot Between Cones Set up a line of cones row 3 to 5 yards apart. Pair up players and put one player on each side of the line facing the cones and each other. Players should start close to the row of cones at first, striking the ball between the cones. The partner receives ball and passes it back through the cones. Move players further apart as their technique and accuracy improve Top of page Go For Goal Players form two lines on either side of the coach who is standing 18 to 20 yards from a goal that is any size. The coach serves the ball toward the goal line while one player races to win the ball and shoot. As skills improve, add a goalkeeper. The coach should encourage correct shooting technique and a good first touch on the ball. Dribble Cones and Shoot Set up two cone lines for a dribble weave about 30 yards with a 2 yard goal at the end. Divide players into two lines or teams. Players must dribble through the cones and score at the goal at the end before the next player in line starts. Pass and Strike Set up a 30 yd x 30 yd grid with two opposing goals. Divide players into two equal teams. Each team must make four complete passes before they can shoot on goal. If the ball is taken by the opponent the team must start its pass count again. Top of page Hit the Cone Set up cones in a line, with three feet between each cone. Line up two players on opposing sides of each cone, facing one another. Give one of the opposing players a ball. The object of the game is to knock down the cone in as few shots as possible. When the first shooter misses the cone, their partner should trap the ball and take a shot. When the cone is knocked over, one player should set it back up and continue playing. For a variation, play the game for one minute intervals, and encourage the players to improve their record each time. Pass and Shoot Set up two cones as a goal at one end of the grid and divide the team in half. Pick one player to start as goalie. Then line one group up behind the goal, with one ball for each player. Line the other group up fifteen feet in front of the goal, in the centre. The first player in line should pass the ball to the first player in the centre line. This person then traps the ball and takes a shot on goal. After their turns, the players should get in the end of the alternate line (players who took shots need to retrieve the ball if needed). Switch goalies often. For large groups, two games can be set up at opposite ends of the grid. Later, have the shooting line take their shots with only one touch. Top of page Quick Shot

Divide players into groups of three, and give each group one ball and two cones. Set the cones up as a goal, and have one player be the goalie. The remaining two players should be on opposite sides of the goal, facing each other. They take turns shooting on goal. When the goalie makes a save, he should turn and roll the ball to the other player. Switch goalies often. Shot Against Goalie Divide the team into pairs. Give each pair one ball and four cones. Set the cones up as two separate goals, about 10 yards apart. Every player stands in front of a goal and takes turns shooting and being the goalie. Initially, have the players shoot a stationary ball. Then have them stand behind their goal line and dribble up to it before shooting or have the goalie roll the ball to the shooter for a one-touch shot Cone Kick Down This is played just like a regular small sided game, but instead of having a goal to shoot at set up five cones along each goal line. The first team to knock down all five cones wins. There are no goalies. Top of page drills and games that develop goalkeeping skills The triangle drill - develops goalkeeper agility, positional sense and shot stopping ability. It is also good for practicing other players' shooting techniques. Soft Catch Play game in pairs throwing and catching a football. Try to make no sound as the ball hits the hands (almost impossible!) The heading game 1v1 In 10x5 yard grid, players take it in turn to head ball over opponents goal line by pulling ball back and using their own momentum to head the ball. The player who is attempting to stop the ball can use their hands or dive if necessary. They can also advance as far as they like so if they stop ball they are in a better position to score. Then make it competitive and play for 1 minute and then the winner moves up the ladder, the loser moves down. If tied use rock, paper, scissors as a tiebreaker. Do 8-10 rotations to establish a championship! The heading game 2v2 Players are paired up to play 2v2 in a 10x10 grid. One pair has ball and tries to advance down field heading to each other. Once they get near the other teams goal line then one of them can attempt to head it past their line to score. The other team stays on their goal line and attempt to save ball. Once the ball hits the ground or is saved, the two heading retreat to their goal line and the other 2 begin to try to keep the ball in the air and advance up the field to score. Can do as a competitive ladder as above. American Football Create a playing field of 15 x 30 yards, but make the last 5 yards of each end an end zone. A touch down is scored by keeping possession and creating an opportunity to dribble into the end zone. If this is done with the ball under control, then a touch down is scored. Death on the Nile!

20 x 30 grid. 3 teams of 4 players, and 3 balls. Each team get one minute in the middle as goalkeepers (they are the crocodiles in river trying to intercept the ball!) Count the number of interceptions. Other 2 teams have to play the balls across the 'river' back and forth. Introduce calling for the ball, then passing to a teammate on same side to open 'channels'. Goalkeeping techniques being used include anticipation, setting position for shot, receiving balls, etc. If ball is intercepted have keeper distribute back to coach on sideline. Keepers Nest One player (the keeper) guards, but cannot touch the ball. The keeper may stand over the ball. The objective is for the other three players to get to the ball away from the keeper (using hands, feet or either), without being tagged and frozen by the keeper. The keepers goal is to freeze the other three players. Once a player is frozen, he can remain frozen until all players are frozen, or until the ball is snatched away by the other players, or until the player counts to 10. Keepers Nest 3v1 Place three cones in a triangle 10 yards apart. One player is inside the triangle as the keeper. The other three try to possess the ball and score goals by moving the keeper out of position and playing through the triangle. If the keeper intercepts the ball, the player who played the ball last becomes the new keeper. 3v3 or 4v4 'American Football!' Play 4v4 but players use their hands to pass. Concentrate on proper hand position under pressure. If a player has the ball in his or her hands then they cannot move their feet. Players cannot grab the ball if it is in a players hands! Instead of making goals for the teams to score in, create an end zone at either end of the small field. A team can score a 'touch-down' (6 points) if they pass the ball to a team-mate standing in the end zone. Think up any number of variations for an extra point! Then restrict a player waiting in the end zone to staying in there a maximum of three seconds and then has to get out similar to basketball. Advance the game by not allowing any player to stand still in the end-zone, or then limit access to the zone to 3 seconds at a time for any player. Numbers Up Play with one goalkeeper in a goal. Add pressure - (i.e. 2v 1, v2). Provide a target for the defender if they win the ball. Encourage the players to shoot as quickly as possible, having their body in the correct position. Make sure they show good 1st touch when receiving the ball. 1st touch should be away from pressure. Disguise your shots. Quick Fire! Pull one goal all the way up the field to the outer edge of the 18 yard box. Play 5v2 in an area 18x36 yards with two full size goals 18 yards apart. Play for 1 minute at a time, with the 5 having to make 5 passes before shooting. If the defenders steal the ball they go for goal also. You can add goalkeepers at any time.

Cone Ball! Can play 4v4v4. Put large cone (or similar) in middle of the field. The three teams play against each other. To score a team simply has to hit the target (the cone). Add a 5 yard exclusion zone around the cone and introduce a goalkeeper to this area. Kids will play this game forever! Triangular Goals Create triangular goals (3 flags 2 yards apart in a triangle shape) in the middle of the penalty area. Play 4v4 in penalty box. One team has 4 attackers, the other 3 keepers and 1 defender. If the ball goes out of the box, or the keepers/defender makes a save, switch. Let each team captain keep scores. Then go to larger area - 6v6 or 8v8 in between halfway line and edge of 18 yard box. Open goals up to 6 yards wide. Advance the activity appropriately by asking players to play 3 passes before shooting or chip over goals to teammate! Have to score with a volley or half volley, etc. Finish with 2 fields of 4v4, with a different method of scoring on each field. Group 1: Head to score. Group 2: All 4 have to be in opponents half of field for their goal to count! Option: Have to go around the back of goal and dribble/pass through cones the opposite way. The above games are reproduced courtesy of Mike Smith at www.oregonyouthsoccer.org More games that improve goalkeeping skills 1 v 1 battles improve tackling, dribbling and shielding skills

The Game Play one v one, trying to score through a 'two-sided' goal. There is no out-of-bounds. The player in possession of the ball is the attacker, the other player, the defender. Play games of one minute in duration. Coaching Points

Defenders: steer attacker away from the goal, tackle when ball is exposed, get goal side when possession is lost. Attackers: try to face the defender whenever possible change speed, change direction; shield the ball when trying to maintain possession. 1v1 practices and build up/finishing drills two excellent no-charge downloads from http://www.academysoccercoach.com Extract from 1v1 practices: Coaches often accelerate into small games of 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 etc without spending adequate time on the basic attacking and defending principles. 1v1 practice games are vital to any coach as this situation occurs naturally in any game. players must feel comfortable dealing with these situations and finding a solution whether they are in attack or defence. The practices in this journal are designed to be unpredictable, forcing the players to make quick choices / decisions in order to come out on top. Insights that I would give my players are: In attack Try to slow the defender down and then accelerate All you need is half a yard Take the defender away from where you want to go, this will give you the space to attack (For example a right footed player would take a defender to the left, before accelerating quickly into the space created on the right) In defence Close the space Show away from danger or towards a team-mate Force the opponent to play backwards or sideways Be patient and stay on your feet If you delay the attacker for 3-5 seconds then you will have given your team mates enough time to recover and support you download 1v1 practices (30 pages of illustrated drills and games) Extract from build up and finishing drills Scoring goals is the ultimate aim of football. To score goals in a real match, players have to show a number of qualities including skill, imagination, creativity, awareness etc. Therefore training practices must develop these skills. The finishing practices in this package were created with the goal to inspire players whilst giving them different problems to solve. The players have to play under pressure, they have to react to different types of service and have choices to make on different techniques to use and whether to shoot early or combine with a team-mate. All the practices run quickly with sharp movements, there are no long queues waiting to shoot, and every player has a role and function to complete in order for the practices to run smoothly.

download 30 build up and finishing drills 2v1 A passing, dribbling and shooting drill where one side is given an extra player my thanks to Soccer Skills Youth FC for this game

Game Rules Have substitute players ready to replace those who are playing. One team has a single outfield player, the other has two, and both have a goalkeeper. Several balls should be kept within each goal to keep a ball in play. Make the goal four yards wide, and create a play area 25 yards by 15 yards. Encourage both teams to score even though one has a manpower advantage. When the ball is out of play, start the game at the goal line by the goalkeeper. Keep score. Player Objectives Watch the ball but keep head up to observe opponents and the goal. Team with two outfield players: The player in possession has two options - pass the ball or keep it. Pass to teammate with pace and accuracy, and use teamwork to score. For the player not in possession, support teammate by being visible. Team with one outfield player: Player in possession keeps the ball until the angle to shoot exists, then tries to score. Manipulate the ball, keeping body between opponents and the ball. Change pace and direction. 3 team keepaway Minutes: 10-20

Players: 9-18

Ages: 10-45

from: and-again.com

Objectives: soccer warm-up, team work, ball control, possession, passing Description: Make 3 teams (Green-Blue-Red) 4v4v4 or 5v5v5 or 6v6v6 in Square grid about 25 x 25. Vary the size for player numbers and ability. One team starts as the defenders and the other two teams play keepaway. When the defenders win the ball the team colour which was responsible for losing the ball become the defenders. You can give a goal for X number of consecutive passes. This is an excellent warm up and very good for improving small, quick passes.

It's also a good drill for improving general ball control, awareness and team work. I use this on every training as a warm up in a square grid about 20 x 20 meters.

3v3 one goal A 3-a-side game which emphasizes dribbling, passing and shooting Thanks to Soccer Skills Youth FC

Game Rules A normal 3-a-side game in an area approximately 30 yards by 20 yards, except that it is

played around one goal rather than two. Emphasize shooting at goal at the earliest opportunity. Players combine to create goal-scoring opportunity. Team in the dark uniforms can score only from the left side of the field, and team in white only from the right side. Re-start game with a throw-in any time the ball goes out of bounds. When goalkeeper makes a save from one team, he throws the ball into the opposing half of the field. Player Objectives To take early shots from within shooting distance of the goal. To provide support for the player with the ball. 5 pass game improves passing and receiving skills while encouraging players to find space from JoeSoccer Playing .. Split players into 2 even teams (play 4 vs 4 up to 7 vs 7) Mark a large grid with cones (approximately 40 yards x 30 yards) A neutral player is placed at each end of the field. To score a goal, a team must make 5 or more consecutive passes to teammates and then must make the 6th pass to one of the neutral players without the ball being touched by the opposition. After 5 consecutive passes are completed, the players from that team may pass to either neutral player to score, no need to alternate between neutral players. A player (team) does not get credit for a pass if the ball is passed back to the player from which it came. (But they still keep possession and play continues) Any time a team is dispossessed of the ball before completing 5 passes, the opposition starts at pass #1. Once the neutral player receives the pass that counts as the goal he/she must pass the ball first time (one touch pass) to the same team that scored the goal and that team begins play again at pass #1.

Coaching Points Players keep their heads up, know where your teammates are and pass to the open player. Play quickly Teammates must support the player receiving the pass A minimum of 2 players give close support options A minimum of 1 player gives long support Thus spreading the defenders and opening the field Players make runs to open space to receive passes Make quick (change of speed) runs to get open to receive a pass. (Don't be a Johnny Jogger) who always jogs the same speed and is easy to defend. Competition, Variations & Restrictions: Play games to 5 and losing team does 5 jumping jacks Restrict players in the grid to 2 touches ... if a player touches the ball 3 times they lose possession of the ball. Restrict players to 1 touch soccer.

4v4 games designed to improve passing, dribbling and shooting skills reproduced with the kind permission of Decatur Sports 4 v. 4 The Basic Game

Size of Field Depends on the age of players. Can vary from 30 yd. x 20 yd. up to 40 yd. x 25 yd.. The goals are 8 feet wide. The Team In Possession of the Ball -up by using the entire playing area in terms of length and width (spread out, possession). n a group of 4 resembles a diamond. either individually or collectively. When the Other Team Has the Ball getting behind the ball and to regain possession of the ball. amplified since there is no spare defender or goalkeeper.

4 v. 4 Line Soccer Variations of the 4 v. 4 Game Using slightly different sizes of goals, differing methods to score, and slightly altered size and shape of field can guide players to solve problems by emphasizing certain aspects of play. 4 v. 4 Line Soccer

the line that your team is attacking. game, but it is turned sideways. The wider, shorter field allows for maintaining good shape (diamond), but also creates many good 1 v. 1 situations which challenges the player's dribbling skills. and pass. This variation highlights: The correct attitude (when to take a risk aggressively) and the technical development and execution of dribbling. 4 v. 4 The Dribbling Game

The Game Same field as the "Line Soccer" game, a wide, short field. teams can score in one of 2 ways. Passing into an open goal or by stopping the ball on the endline between the two goals they are attacking. What The Game Incorporates

shape of the field and presence of multiple goals. of options at his disposal (dribbling, passing, "shooting", changing directions)

4 v. 4 The Passing Game The Game

Since the playing area is longer than it is wide, the emphasis is on creating length (height) in the game. In this game, there is a premium placed on playing the ball forward early. The ball can be played early: a defender behind them (as shown in diagram). Scoring ball anywhere on the line. This Game Emphasizes

Transitions

The Game While one team attacks the large goal, the opposition attacks either of the two smaller goals. When the team scores in one of the two smaller goals, they must change directions and take a turn at attacking the larger goal. This Game Emphasizes and confidence that is essential for scoring goals. (Large net) other 4 v. 4 games. in the other direction. shape and the roles of each player because when there is a transition, the back becomes the front and vice versa.

4 v. 4 The Shooting Game The priority of this game is shooting and scoring. Since the field is wide and short, players should be looking to shoot almost whenever they get the ball. Game played like a regular 4 v. 4 match. copyright footy4kids 2013

4 square soccer A small sided soccer coaching game that encourages players to spread out and play in designated positions. from the excellent coaching manual Playing Better Soccer is More Fun Number of players: 4v4 (or 5v5 if you use goalkeepers) Age group: U10 upwards Set up: divide a 40x30 grid (with a goal at each end) into four quarters using flat cones or lines.

Set up (contd): assign the following positions to the players in both teams: defender, left midfield player, right midfield player and attacker. Procedure: The defender works in the two squares nearest her goal, the left midfield player must stay in the two squares on the left of the grid, the right mid player works in the two squares on the right of the grid and the attacker plays in the two squares nearest the other

teams goal. Otherwise, normal soccer rules apply. Play to a set number of goals or for a set time. You could also award 'goals' for a set number of passes. Tip: encourage quick shooting and tight defending by not having goalkeepers and making the goals big. The younger the players, the bigger the goal should be. 2v2 with 2 neutrals. improve passing and communication skills

The X's and O's play possession football. They can use the neutrals (the 'N's in the diagram) if they are in trouble. The two sides without neutrals on represents the corner of a pitch. To make the game more competitive you can award a point for completing a set number of consecutive passes (easier) or keeping the ball for a set period (harder). This routine helps your children to avoid pressure by playing themselves into a corner. It also encourages communication and keeping their heads up. Key points 1. Keep moving 2. Look up often 3. Switch it often 4. Play quick passes 5. Talk A LOT

conditioning drills (1) thanks to Soccerclub.com for these drills and games Here is a list of soccer conditioning drills and games to do for 10 minutes or so. Some can go longer, but don't try them all in one practice! Dribble warm-up: dribble in box; at 'GO!', sprint to farthest line and back into box; at 'NUMBER!', form a group of that number; last ones to make it do 10 press-ups.

Box relays: set out enough grids of 9 cones that you can divide your team into groups of 3-4, each group with its own grid. The grid looks like this: * 4 yds * 8 yds * * * * * * *

Each grid makes a little box and a big box. Run a series of relay races - 1. each runner goes around the small box and then the big box, with no ball, touching each cone with his/her hand as she passes it (best with flat cones); 2. each runner dribble around the small box, then the big box, and passes to the next runner after clearing the last corner; 3. each runner dribbles around the small box, then the big box, using a specified turn for each corner (pull-back/spin; tap behind standing foot; scissors; etc.). Alternate directions so they must use both feet! The purpose of having a little box and a big box is to vary the pace at which they must go to maintain control of the ball. Lane races: set up 4-5 lanes with flat cones appx 35 yds long; straight dribble right, left, choice, cone weave right, left, choice Horseshoe: set out 8 cones in square (one at mid-side on each side); divide in groups; dribble & trot 7 gaps, then sprint one gap; next time 6 & 2, then 5 & 3, all the way to 7 sprint and 1 trot Amoeba: small groups with 2 cones each; lead takes off and sprints until catches back up to end; new lead takes off; all w/ ball & dribbling; rest of group trots Switch field: groups of 3; pass from edge to edge; rotate every 2 minutes. 3-fly: groups of 3 goal to goal for time; 3 times so each is in middle once; set limits such as 2-touch or 1-touch; cannot shoot until coach ok's Wall Pass Ladder: stagger 6-8 players in zigzag; one takes a ball down the middle, passing and receiving wall from each side alternately Pass relay race: one group at corners of box or pentagon; pass around perimeter to beat a runner from the other team; keep score by teams Team relays: set in team alignment; pass F LM CM RM RS LS LD CD RD W G; a runner goes the same path & tries to beat the ball; when runner is done, replaces a field player; from goalie, work back up in opposite sequence Pair Pass Challenge: series of connected boxes (approx 10x10x6 boxes); D at back of each box; cannot leave back line until someone enters box; pairs try to go thru all boxes; who can go farthest? Dribble w/ front challenge: in pairs, one in front is passive defender; each time D changes stance to adjust, A moves dribble to other side Dribble w/ rear challenge: In pairs, D behind; A must dribble away & shield ball; change sides by touching with inside of foot closest to defender, then outside of foot away from defender; each time passive D changes sides. 5-ball: set 5 balls in a row on the 18 yd box top line, spread within the edges of the circle; 2 girls start from opposite intersections of the 18 yd box and the restraining circle; at GO, they race diagonally to circle around a cone at the intersection of the end line and the goal box, loop around and straight back up to the intersection where their challenger started, and around to shoot the nearest ball. Back down the diagonal,

around, and straight up, to shoot the second ball. Back down around and up to see who can get to the remaining ball and shoot it first. Great conditioning, tight turns, and shooting. BALL!: Coach with lots of balls stands in goal; two kids stand out between goal and 18 yd box. One team-mate is assigned to count shots on goal for one player, another counts the second player; other teammates shag loose balls; for 2 minutes the coach feeds balls and shouts 'BALL!' as he does; kids fight to shoot the live ball; if they go too far or take too long, just feed another ball! Begin by working them out away from the goal, gradually make the feeds closer to the goal until they are hitting headers, volleys, etc in the goal mouth. Manipulate the throws to keep things fairly close. This is easier with a count-down timer on your watch. 2v2v2: Use the penalty area as a boundary. 3 teams of 2; i.e. 2 reds, 2 blues, 2 yellows. GK in goal. Teammates line the 18 yard box with balls. Coach puts ball in play. It's always 2 attackers vs. 4 defenders. The ball and players may travel within the goal box, but shots must be taken outside of it. If a ball leaves playing area, nearest player on touch tosses another up, then shags. All balls caught by GK are restarted by GK. When one team scores, the other 2 swap out. LOTS of action, emphasis on shooting at the 1st chance, partner moving open in front of the goal. Turn'n'go: from front of goal, A faces goal with ball in front; D behind facing away & touching; when A goes, D turns to chase down before shoots 3v2+G: 1D in front, 1D behind; pass to space & overlap 3v1, 4v2, 5v3: keep-away 3v3: with extras divided into 3's; whenever one team scores, the replacement team from the other end starts immediately with their own ball; they should try to 'fast break' against the team that just scored. Progressive sprints: jog in line; last one sprints to front, then slows down; as soon as you are last, you start your sprint, so a sequence are sprinting Dribble sprints: 1 min. Back/forth across goal box, then penalty box, then penalty to midline, then goal to midline, back down; who can do the most lengths in each 1 min. period? more conditioning drills

6 goal game Print this page. develop team tactical awareness while practicing defending and attacking skills. by Jeff Pill

The Game 2 even teams. Each team defends their 3 goals, and tries to score in the opponents 3 goals. The team with most goals wins. Coaching Points Attack: Vision, recognizing where pressure is coming from. Possession / penetration decisions. Switching the point of attack. Defence: Pressure , cover, balance. Defending zonally since the 3 goals force a team to defend 'numbers down'. Immediate counter attack when ball is won. Try These Variations Dribble through the goals instead of passing. (Make goals 10 yds.wide) Goals must come off a 'one touch' Limit attackers to '2 touches' Five v two

Five offensive players try to keep the ball away from two defenders. Switch defender with any offensive player who makes a mistake. COACHING POINTS Offence "Two players must show short for support"--player with the ball must always have two passing options nearby. These players should 'open wide' by getting to the sides of the grid quickly. "Play facing the inside of the grid"--particularly when receiving a pass. Don't get trapped in a corner. Defence "Communicate"--who's pressuring the ball? Who's in support? "Don't get split" -- a split occurs when the ball is passed in between the defenders (as opposed to a pass to a supporting player on the side). VARIATIONS Vary the size of the grid. Require a one or two-touch restriction.

soccer coaching dribbling game This is a simple dribbling race that, at first glance, doesn't seem to be very interesting but children of all ages love it and my U12s ask to play it at almost every session. It just goes to show that good coaching games don't have to be complicated! Objective: To improve running and turning with the ball, dribbling skills, fitness. Set-up: Split your players into pairs. One ball per pair. Lay out a straight line of six/eight cones about five yards apart. One line of cones per pair of players. How to play: Both players in each pair stand at one end of their line of cones. One player dribbles the ball at speed to the first cone in the line, turns quickly and passes the ball back to his partner. He runs back to his partner, collects the ball and runs with it to the second cone where he

passes back and repeats the exercise. When he has taken the ball round each of the cones in this fashion, it's his partner's turn. The first pair to complete the exercise is the winner. Coaching points: Ask your players about the difference between dribbling and running with the ball. Answer: When dribbling, a player keeps the ball close because an opponent is trying to take it away. When running with the ball, a player pushes it into unopposed (i.e. empty) space and runs on to it. Ask them when they should run with the ball and when they shouldn't. Tell your players to try different ways of turning with the ball. Which is the fastest? For more soccer coaching tips and products visit Soccer Coaching Club.

Balls, cones and kids the footy4kids soccer coaching newsletter Issue 18 - June 2006 I know from my e-mail 'postbag' that some new coaches struggle to understand the words and diagrams that describe the games, drills and practice sessions on footy4kids. So I'm pleased to be able to tell you that I've come across an excellent site - strongsoccer.com that dispenses with the usual stick men, X's and O's in favour of clear, useful (and free!) videos clips. In this newsletter I've been allowed to reproduce movie clips of common soccer skills from a part of Jim King's 20 minute "Mini-practice". For the complete "Mini-practice" and detailed discussion... (click here) Enjoy! I. Warm-up touches In-betweens with step-over 180 turn. (15 in-betweens up then step-over turn and go back 2 times.) First, to do the "in-betweens" stand with the soccer ball between your feet which are about shoulder width apart. Using the inside of the right foot, tap the ball softly to the inside of the left foot. Then using the inside of the left foot, tap it back again to the inside of the right foot. The trick is to keep the ball constantly moving between the feet as the player "hops" from foot to foot to prepare for the next touch. Once you get the hang of it, begin to move forward with each step by tapping the ball slightly forward with each touch. Eventually you should be able to keep the in-betweens going without a miss as you move slowly all over the place. Secondly, do the "step-over 180 turn. (This is a very important turn! Watch the pros, you will

see variations of this turn a dozen times a game.) Start with the ball between your feet, as it is during your "in-betweens". Put your weight on your left foot as you swing your right foot up and over the ball (turning counter-clockwise towards the left). Plant the right foot down on the left side of the ball and step down. (This is the "step-over" part of the move and will be used in lots of fakes and feints). Now using that right foot as a pivot, spin (turning clockwise this time) around with your left foot, back towards the ball. Once you have turned a 180, take the ball with your left foot and begin the "in-betweens" the other direction. (Click here for another description by Dennis Mueller et.al.) Another slight variation is to take the ball back with the outside of the right foot instead of using it as a pivot foot. Here you fake the "step-over" as you turn counter-clockwise over the ball with the right foot, just as before. Then instead of planting that right foot, you just tap it down and then back up as you begin to pivot back clockwise still on the left foot. Then you take the ball with the outside of the right foot (the step-over foot) and move back in the new direction. Personally, I prefer this variation. I think it is quicker and a little easier to do the pivot with cleats on grass fields. KEY POINTS: The move becomes effective when the "step-over" looks like a shot or pass or lunge in that direction. This "sells" the "FAKE" and then you take the ball quickly in the other direction. Toe touches moving forward. (Do 15 up and back 2 times with "pullback" turn.) Begin with the ball between your feet and slightly to the front. Lift the right foot and lightly touch the top of the ball with the front (cleat side) of the shoe, underneath the toe. Replace that right foot and do the same with the left foot. Now begin to alternate touches faster until you have to make little hops back and forth with your feet while continuing to touch the top of the ball. Finally, push the ball forward a few inches with each touch as you begin to move forward with each step. The trick is to touch the ball forward "just the right distance" and slightly in front of the other foot so you can keep the pattern going without a break. After moving forward about 10 yds. do a "pullback" turn and return to the starting spot continuing your toe touches. Toe touches moving backwards. (Do 15 up and back 2 times.) This is nearly the same as the toe touches moving forward but instead goes backward. With each hop backwards touch the ball back and diagonally toward your next foot. This is a little more difficult to learn but is great for developing quick feet and pull back touches. Side hop rolls moving forward (a.k.a side drag rolls). first right foot then back with left. (Up and back 2-4 times.) This is a shielding and rolling maneuver. Start by facing sideways (e.g. first face to the right) to the direction of travel, with the ball between your feet. Using the sole of your right foot, come up and over the top of the ball from right( the back) to left (the front). This gets the ball rolling to your left and down the direction of travel. After rolling over the top of the ball with your right foot, plant it down and "hop" onto your left foot and repeat. All the touches are with the right foot, rolling the ball to the left with your cleats as you "hop" down the field. You would use this to advance the ball and at the same time keep the defender to your backside. Repeat with the left

foot. KEY POINTS: Being able to roll the ball in various directions while shielding it from defenders can be crucial to finding space in tight spots. Watch a good winger use this maneuver deep in the corner to defeat a double team. Strikers often use this roll out at the 18 yd. line to protect the ball while searching for the next possible shot or pass. Outside foot touches with "fast feet" between touches. (Up and back 2-4 times.) Push the ball to the outside with the outside of the foot then take 2 steps behind the rolling ball to prepare to touch it with the outside of the other foot. KEY POINTS: Kids learn early how to move the ball around with the inside part of their feet but sometimes do not progress to using the outside part of the foot. This condemns them to countless failed attempts to beat the opponent since they end up in the "fruitless kicking battle" as both players stab at the ball with the insides of their feet. Many of the great fakes (lunge, scissors, Matthews, reverse Matthews, Rivelino, drag swerve etc.) will use the outside of the feet so the players should get comfortable with this touch at an early age. Speed Changes with sudden stop, ("Hop-stop"). (Up and back several times.) Have the players dribble slowly or do some "in-betweens" and then explode up the field for about 4 steps finally coming to a turning stop. Repeat. KEY POINTS: There is little point in making a feint if the space gained is not exploited by a burst of speed. In fact, the attempt at the feint can be poor, but it will still be effective if combined with instant acceleration. I think many young players concentrate too much on the "cut" and forget to "explode" out of the fake. Outside to inside roll right foot across body and touch forward with left foot. Alternate. (Do 10 up and back 2 times.) This is a very important maneuver that has been referred to in some circles as the "Preki". Start with the ball between your feet. Begin with a little lean or lunge out to the right side of the ball by lifting your right foot and stepping down lightly beside the ball. Do not plant weight onto this right foot. Instead, plan to shift your weight back to the left and then "scrape" your cleats over the top of the ball, from the right side to the left, to begin it rolling to the left. After it has crossed completely in front of your body, use the inside of your left foot to touch it forward. Now repeat the same starting with the left foot. KEY POINTS: The little lunge to the right side of the ball sets up the rapid move back to the left and "sells" this fake. Being comfortable "scraping" the ball with the cleats to get it rolling in different directions is essential to close quarters dribbling to find space for shooting and passing. Follow this "inside roll" with the "outside roll" as described below. Eventually, any time you are stopped with your foot on top of the ball, you will be able to instantly move left, right, or backwards into a pull-back and still maintain possession. Inside to outside roll right foot to the (right) side and touch forward with right foot. Right foot out to the (right) side, touch forward with right foot. Alternate. (Do 10 up and back 2 times.) This is the sister move to the "outside to inside" roll. Start with the ball between your feet. Begin with a rapid movement with your right foot to the top of the ball and stop briefly with your cleats on top. This motion should make it appear like you are passing the ball, or taking the ball

to your left side, across your body. Instead, keep your weight on your left foot and "scrape" from the inside to the outside with your right foot. This gets the ball rolling back to your right and slightly behind you. Then turn your hips to the right and touch it with the inside of the right foot to deflect it off to the right on a diagonal. Repeat with the right foot several times and then switch to the left. (This is the basic movement for the key feint known as a "pullback V".) KEY POINTS: This move is the backbone of the important fake known as the "Vee" or better yet, the "fake-kick V". Emphasize the fake kick motion up to the ball at the beginning of the move, then rapidly pull the ball back and outside to the right, finally turn the hips to follow the ball and touch it with the inside aspect of the right foot and you have a classic "V". Skip touches. (Skip forward touching the ball with the front foot, each skip.) Start with the right foot in front of the left, and the ball just ahead of the leading foot. Begin by touching the ball forward with the (right) front foot which you then plant on the ground and do a little "hop" (or skip), while your (left) trailing leg comes to the front. When that (left) leg is in front, touch the ball ahead with it, then plant it down for a little "hop" (skip), and continue. Do this for several dozen skips. KEY POINTS: Ever watch a basketball guard set up his move to the basket? Many times he will put a little "stutter", "skip", or "hitch" in his movement to freeze the defender and set his own feet. The same thing applies to a football halfback who is preparing to pick his "hole" and dive for the first down. He will literally "skip" for a stride which often times either freezes the defenders, or "wrong foots" them. This concept works in soccer dribbling as well. Next time you are practicing even simple soccer feints,( like "lunges" for instance), add a skip just before the move and watch how well the move works. Notice the extra little jump you get as you complete the move. It seems to "load the spring" in your legs, helping prepare for the quick change of pace and direction. "Run Throughs" Smother or trap while running through a tossed ball. (Up and back several times.) Have the players toss the ball into the air and slightly in front of themselves. Then they should run through the bouncing ball to "push" it up the field. Contact can be made with head, chest, waist, thighs, shins or feet with just enough of a touch to begin the ball moving away. This kind of drill can be done in pairs, as well, but I think it is important enough to include in every warm-up. KEY POINTS: How many games do we see young players standing in a circle watching a high ball bounce between them, their faces bobbing like bobble-heads, unable to take control? Of course there are many ways to trap high balls but simply running through the bounce is often times as good as any, and it begins the ball moving away from the defenders into space. II. Turning Fakes Pull backs. Turn with Pullback Turn Away with Pullback This is a cousin to the "outside and inside" rolls as discussed above but it "scrapes" the ball backwards. Start with the ball between your feet. Fake up to the top of the ball with your right foot in a kicking motion, but stop with your cleats on top of the ball. Then "pull-back" the ball by

"scraping" your cleats backwards to get the ball rolling behind you. Now you can turn either clockwise or counterclockwise to face the ball again. If you used your right foot to "pull-back" and you turn clockwise or towards the pull-back leg it is a "turn-with pull-back". If however, your turn counterclockwise away from the right leg, it is a "turn-away pull-back". You should learn them both. The "turn-away pull-back" is the better of the two since you can continue to face a defender while you change direction and not "spin" away from him and risk losing site of him and his attempt at a steal. KEY POINTS: The pull-back moves are some of the first moves kids learn and initially they get a lot of mileage out of them. Unfortunately, they get overused and often times used in the wrong places, especially against older and more skilled defenders. They are best used deep in the offensive third of the field, usually off to the sides to quickly change directions on a slashing attack. They should not be used anywhere near one's own penalty area or anywhere in the middle of the field where an alert defender could begin a dangerous breakaway. The shielding turns like the step-overs, 3/4 shield turns and the "sharp inside/outside cuts" are safer in these areas. Fake kick into inside/outside cuts. Fake Kick with Inside Cut Fake Kick with Outside Cut Everyone knows how to cut the ball with the inside and outside of the feet. The difference in this move is to cut the ball very "sharply" backwards to the inside or outside, and set it up with a fake kick. Begin by dribbling forward. Touch the ball a little in front of your feet, plant your left foot near the ball and wind up with your right leg like you are going to shoot (or kick the ball hard). Instead of shooting you bring your right leg down in a "chopping" motion to cut the ball backwards across the front of your body. It has to be a very sharp cut back towards your left foot and maybe even in towards yourself. You may even have to hop out of the way with your left foot. Then continue in that new direction and do another with the left foot. This is known as the "inside cut". The "outside cut" begins the same, but after the fake right kick, instead of "chopping" down of the ball, you "sweep" it away with the outside of your right foot away from the defender. This is a less aggressive move and actually shields the ball as well. KEY POINTS: Cutting the ball with the inside of the foot is the most basic maneuver in soccer. If it is done without some sort of a "fake" or violent change of pace, it is doomed to end up between you and the defender in another frustrating and purposeless kicking battle. What makes this move work is that it is preceded by the fake kick which "wrong-foots" the defender and then the cut has to be extremely sharp, literally a "chop" backwards and maybe even slightly into you. Step-over 180 turns. Step-over 180 Turn using inside of the foot Step-over 180 Turn using outside of the foot (This is a very important turn! Watch the pros, you will see variations of this turn a dozen times a game.) Start with the ball between your feet, as it is during your "in-betweens". Put your weight on your left foot as you swing your right foot up and over the ball (turning counterclockwise towards the left). Plant the right foot down on the left side of the ball and step down. (This is the "step-over" part of the move and will be used in lots of fakes and feints). Now using that right foot as a pivot, spin (turning clockwise this time) around with your left foot, back

towards the ball. Once you have turned a 180, take the ball with your left foot and begin to move in the other direction. (Click here for another description from D. Mueller et.al.) Another slight variation is to take the ball back with the outside of the right foot instead of using it as a pivot foot. Here you fake the "step-over" as you turn counter-clockwise over the ball with the right foot, just as before. Then instead of planting that right foot, you just tap it down and then back up as you begin to pivot back clockwise still on the left foot. Then you take the ball with the outside of the right foot (the step-over foot) and move back in the new direction. Personally, I prefer this variation. I think it is quicker and a little easier to do the pivot with cleats on grass fields. KEY POINTS: The move becomes effective when the "step-over" looks like a shot or pass or lunge in that direction. This "sells" the "FAKE" and then you take the ball quickly in the other direction.

Shield turns. (a.k.a. the 3/4 turns or spin turns) If the inside cut is the most basic move in dribbling then the "shield turns" sometimes referred to as "3/4 shield turns" are a powerful way to use it. Start by dribbling forward towards a cone or mark that represents the defender. Just before reaching the mark, begin a series of sharp inside cuts with the inside of the right foot. The first cut turns you to the left, then immediately follow with another to be facing backwards, and immediately with another cut to end up facing to what initially was to your right. The entire time the ball was shielded and multiple opportunities for lateral and trail passes are available. When done properly the dribbler can actually "shake-off" the defender and continue downfield. Outside Shield Turns (a.k.a. Outside "Spin Turns). This move involves 2 or 3 quick turns like above, but this time cut the ball with the outside of the foot. KEY POINTS: Many defenders are taught some variation of the "3-ways" approach to 1v1 defense.. First get in the way, second turn them away, and third take it away. Modern defenders are some of the best athletes on the field and are experts at turning or "herding" the strikers to the sidelines. This is where the "3/4 shield turn can really work. The first cut is with the "herding" defender (in the same direction), but then suddenly after 2 more sharp cuts, the striker is free again, or has made a pass. It is a speed move and works best at a full run. If the first cut to the left is emphasized, the defender often over-reacts and when the second and third cuts quickly follow and they may lose contact completely. The outside shield move (among others) was often used by soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer and some still call it the "Beckenbauer".

Cruyff turns. OK, I will admit that the "Cruyff move could easily be listed under the next heading "Fakes to beat the opponent", but it is still a move that turns the player 180 in the opposite direction and has some similarities to both the "turn-away pull-back" and the "inside cut". Start by dribbling the ball forward and plant your left foot near the ball as your right leg "winds-up" for a big kick or shot. Instead of shooting however, bring the right foot down and "chop" the ball backwards and underneath your left leg. You may even have to do a little "hop"

or "skip" with your left foot to get it out of the way. The difference between this move and the "turn-away pull-back" is that the "Cruyff" uses the "chop" with the inside of the foot while the pull-back uses a "scrape-roll" with the sole of the shoe. KEY POINTS: This move takes a little practice. The classic Cruyff highlight clips show him moving diagonally to the right across the field near the opponents penalty box. He fakes a pass/kick towards the right flag but instead "chops" it underneath his left leg giving him space for a shot. Stop-hop. (a.k.a. "Half Garrincha") From a full run, stop the rolling ball by briefly tapping the top of it with the sole of the right foot. Allow your momentum to sway a little forward as you lift the right foot off the top of the ball and "hop" onto the ground (just beyond the stopped ball). Now your left foot comes up and rests on the ball with the cleats as you turn to the side. KEY POINTS: This little move allows the player to come to a screeching halt, then turn just a little and switch feet to prepare for the next move or pass. In the process, the defender usually flies by and when he returns you have the ball nicely "shielded" and your head is up for the next play. If you were to continue into a full spin with a left footed ball drag, then it would become more like a "true Garrincha". Conditioning drills (2) thanks to the Burnaby Girls' Soccer Club These soccer specific conditioning drills are designed to develop your children's speed, agility, and timing over both short and long distances. Please bear in mind that the emphasis should be on short charges of explosive speed rather than long distances - statistics show an average player will do 70% more short sprints than long ones in a 90 minute game. Indian Running file - Players jog around the field in pairs. The back pair must sprint to the front, outside the line of other players, then the next pair, and so on. Shuttles, sprinting, backward and sideways sprinting - Arrange a line of cones 3 yards apart and 30 yards long. Players sprint to the 1st cone and then back; 2nd cone then back; and so on. The 5000 endurance running - Using the soccer field, players first jog around the perimeter. When they return to the starting point they must sprint one side then jog the remainder, then two sides, three sides and full field sprint. s) - Strap an old car tyre to a player's midriff with approximately 25 feet of slack rope. Player must run distances of 50 -100 yards against the resistance. Circuit training (30 seconds on each) - Arrange 5 stations; divide group into 5 equal teams and start 30 second drill. -a) Push ups. b) Burpees. c) Sit ups. d) Star Jumps. e) Bench Jumps. Up and down the clock- 10 yd; 20 yd, 30 yd, 40 yd, and 50 yd sprints then walks back breathing deeply. Arrange cones in 10 yard distances; develop progressive long run sprinting and develop breathing for recovery. Heading endurance in circle - Arrange 10-15 players in a circle; one player enters and goes for 30 seconds calling and heading balls back to the server. This can be developed with two or even three players challenging for the same ball in the circle. This drill can also be used with passing and control topics.

Posture running - over cones: Start at the end of the line cones; run over the top of the cones; lift your knees high. Purpose: To keep upper body and head still while running. Agility running - around cones: Stand sideways to the line cones; start at the first cone and run between each cone sideways; use small; quick steps. Purpose: Improves forward movement and side movement. Speed starts- no cones: Begin a sprinter's starting position; use a two point stance and burst forward as quickly as possible; use a three point stance; use a four point stance. Purpose: Improves initial movement towards ball. Sprints - no cones: Mark off 50 yards and 20 yards on the track; start in a three point position; run to finish and quickly change direction to run backwards; have a partner time each sprint. Up and down drill - Objective: Improve speed by running short sprints forwards and backwards. Start at the end of the line of cones; sprint to the cone diagonally in front; go around the cone; back pedal to the opposite next cone; go around it; repeat the process; go through all the cones; jog back to the starting point. Look For: Explosiveness on first step; body straight and leaning forward; arm movement on sprints; arm movement on back pedalling. Recovery Step Drill - Objective: To work on explosiveness. Have two lines of cones in a "zigzag" formation; cones must be seven or eight feet from each other; have at least eight cones on each line. Stand by the first cone; stay inside the two lines of cones thru the drill; touch the first cone and always facing forward go to the next cone by performing one cross-over step and a few side steps; get to the cone as fast as possible, touch it and go for the next one; repeat the process and finish touching every cone; jog back to the starting point. Look For: Bent knees, Explosive recovery. First Step Drill - Objective: To work on explosiveness, mainly on the first step. Have two lines of cones in a "zigzag" formation; cones must be seven or eight feet from each other; have at least eight cones on each line. Start at the end of one line of cones; sprint to the closest cone to the side; over-exaggerate the first step: if cone is to the left, left leg goes first and vice versa; decelerate as you get to the cone; turn and sprint to the next cone; repeat process until you finish weaving in and out thru the cones; jog back to the starting point. Look For: Powerful and explosive first step, pivoting and turning, arm movement, leaning forward. Cross over Step Drill - Touch cone and side step; stay lower-no feet bump; last cone sprint back ( *Use also running backwards) A. Use same set up for going around cones, get low when going around cone and touch-sprint back. B. Same as 1) above - no touch cone ; sidestep around cone - sprint back. C. Sprint to first cone - back stepping to next - change speed sprint to next cone, etc. Spring back. (*Develop w/ball) D. Ski-skip drill in and out of cones, then sprint, jog back. E. High knees over cones. more conditioning drills

Ball control drills and games (1) ball control drills (2) Pig-in-the-Middle

Break the team up into groups of three, with one football to a group. Volunteer one player to be the pig-in-the-middle. The two other players try to pass the ball past the pig without letting her control it. Once the pig traps the ball, one of the other players takes her place. The two outside players must control the ball, or they will have to switch with the pig. Rapid Fire Have the team form a circle around a single player. Every player except the middleman should have a ball. Have each team member take turns passing the ball to the player in the centre. This player tries to trap and control the ball, and then passes it back to the original player. Have each team member take a turn as the middleman. Continue Down the Line Divide team members into groups of four players with one ball to a group. Select one player to be the server. The three remaining players should line up, side by side, facing the server. The server will take turns serving the ball to each player who must trap and control before returning it to the server. Continue in this fashion, alternating the server. Flight ball Divide team into pairs, giving each pair one ball and a grid. One player will be the server, who is to serve the ball in the air to any location in the other player's half of the grid. This player must move to the ball, trap it, and return it to the server. Alternate roles after every 10 serves. 4 v 1 keep-away I've used this drill many times with great success. It demands total concentration and good ball control. It also encourages children to look up (not at their feet) otherwise they will run into each other. Use a square grid about 10 x 10 yards. 4 v 1 with a player at each corner. Play keep away from defender in middle while keeping ball in the square grid. For more advanced players use 3 v 1 or 3 v 2 with one open corner (player must move to support). Tips: Shorten grid as players get better. Keep score by counting passes. Don't be too strict in keeping ball in square - let play continue unless blatantly out of square. Dribble across a square (first published on www.soccerhelp.com ) This is a good warm-up to start your soccer practice. It is 10 times better than dribbling through cones & is a good way to evaluate dribbling skill. It teaches general ball control, dribbling, the importance of looking up while dribbling & how to do a "Pullback" & "Hook Turn". Players also develop their peripheral vision, practice shielding the ball and that they can speed up if they get in the clear. Use 4 disk cones to make a square about 10 or 12 steps wide (smaller or larger depending on age & number of players) Every player has a ball. Spread players around the square, all facing inward. All players start on "Go" & each player dribbles across & back.

They must do a "Pullback" or a "Hook Turn" to turn. (do a pullback by putting the bottom of the foot on top of ball to stop it & pull it back in the direction you came from. Do a hook turn by pulling the toes up & turning the foot so the outside of the foot can "hook" the ball, stop it & pull it back). Tell players to look up while they dribble so they don't run into each other (don't worry, there won't be many collisions!). The first to 12 is the winner (each time he turns is "one"). Tell players to yell "Done" when finished and ask each player her score at the end of the game. Play 2 or 3 games. For the second game, the first to 10 is the winner and for the third game, the first to 8 is the winner. Play at the start of practice as a warm-up and at the end of practice until dribbling skills improve or your team gets tired of this game. Coaching points When in traffic, keep the ball close to your feet so you can protect it; learn how to look up while dribbling by keeping the ball close to your feet so you know where it is. When you get "open" (out of traffic), you can kick the ball & run to it so you can go faster, but you must still keep it under control so you can turn. ball control drills (2)

dribble round a cone and pass download this game as a pdf file from www.soccerhelp.com Summary Divide into teams with 2 players per team. (It's okay if one of the teams has an extra player, or a parent can play). Players race around a "Turning Cone" that is about 6 to 15 steps from the "Starting Cone" and the dribbler can pass to the waiting teammate as soon as the he goes around the "Turning Cone". One point for each completed pass. This is a good game to play right after "Dribble Across A Square", because you can use the cones that are already on the ground. Teaches Speed dribbling (aka "Running With The Ball"), turning, passing and receiving at "Game Speed" and while under pressure. It also teaches the Passer how to kick the ball while running and under pressure, to pass quickly after having made a turn, and that the Passer should quickly move after making a pass (and not stand still, so it helps teach the concept of "Movement Off The Ball", as opposed to making a pass and just standing there). It also teaches Receivers that they must anticipate the pass and be alert and move to the ball, instead of waiting for the ball to come straight to their feet (this is a common mistake young players make -

they wait for the ball to come to them, instead of going to the ball - in this Practice Game they will learn to watch for the pass and anticipate it's direction and move to the ball - if they don't, they will lose the game, because there will be bad passes and the receivers that stop those bad passes or run to the weak passes will win the game). You can also teach Receivers to come to slow or short passes (so they get to the ball quickly), and to one-touch block the pass in front of them as a way to go faster. The game also teaches the Passer that proper "weight" of the pass is very important (the pass can't be too hard or too slow). It can also be used to teach the receiver one-touch control, playing the pass into open space, and a quick first step into open space (as opposed to "2-touching" the ball and giving opponents time to close in). This one-touch style of play should greatly help your attack and your players will get used to one-touch and see the advantages. If they don't learn to one-touch,they will lose this game. They will also learn when to onetouch and to only 2-touch when they can't onetouch.

Set-up 1. Divide the players into teams of 2 players each. It's okay if one of the teams has an extra player (or a parent can play). Try to balance the teams so they have equal ability. After each game or two, you can change the teams. 2. Each team has one ball. 3. Use cones to make a "Starting Cone" and a "Turning Cone" for each team. Put the "Turning Cone" 6-15 adult steps away from the Starting Cone, as shown below. The distance you put the cones apart will depend on the age and ability of the players. Example, for U-10 Rec, put the cones about 8 adult steps apart. Put 4 to 6 adult steps between each pair of cones, so players have room to make a bad pass without getting in the adjacent team's way.

4. Line each team up beside the Right Side of their Starting Cone, so all the teams are turning in the same direction (to the left). 5. After each game, have the teams start beside the Left Side of the Starting Cones, so in the 2nd game they are turning to the right. 6. After the teams have played 2 games (one turning left and one turning right), you can change the teams so they are more competitive or just for fun. Another good reason to change is that players need to get used to receiving other player's passes. 7. First to 8 wins (This is an intense game. Another

reason to only play to 8 is that if one team makes a really bad pass, they will probably not be able to catch up). I think it's better to play to 8 twice and then switch up teams and play twice again than to only play twice to "10". 8. Teams get one point for each completed pass (define a completed pass as when the receiver touches the ball). The Game 1. Start by lining each team up beside the Right Side of their Starting Cone, so all the teams are turning in the same direction (to the left). 2. On "Go", the first player in each line dribbles to the "Turning Cone", turns around it and passes to his teammate as soon possible. Encourage the passer to make an accurate pass (one bad pass can lose the game). The pass must be accurate and have proper "weight" (not too hard and not too slow). The receiver can and should move toward the pass once it is made (but not before) as a way to go faster (encourage this in a game, this will keep the opponent from stealing the ball, and will train the receiver to GO TO THE PASS instead of waiting for the pass to hit her in the feet. Once they are playing well, teach the receiver to block the ball in front of him (one-touch) so he can go faster this is an important game skill and way to think, as opposed to 2-touch receiving and standing still waiting for the ball. Tell the Receiver that MOST IMPORTANT is to stay on his toes so hes ready to move either sideways or forward for the pass. He MUST stop a bad pass and NOT let it go past him. 3. The "passer" then goes to the Starting Cone and becomes the Receiver. 4. The "receiver" (who now has the ball) then dribbles around the cone (around the correct side - for example, making a left turn) and passes to her waiting teammate. 5. If a team makes an inaccurate pass, the receiver must run after the ball and doesn't get a point until she touches the ball. One really bad pass can cause a team to lose the game.

6. After each game, have the teams start beside the Left Side of the Starting Cones, so in the 2nd game they are turning to the right. 7. After the teams have played 2 games (one turning left and one turning right), you can change the teams so they are more competitive or just for fun. Another good reason to change is that players need to get used to receiving other player's passes. 8. First to 8 wins (This is an intense game. Another reason to only play to 8 is that if one team makes a really bad pass, they will probably not be able to catch up). I think it's better to play to 8 twice and then switch up teams and play twice again than to only play twice to "10". 9. Teams get one point for each completed pass (define a completed pass as when the receiver touches the ball). Scoring First team to 8 wins Note: the passing part of this may be too hard for U-6. If so, just have them dribble around the Turning Cone back to their teammate who then takes the ball. Things Your Players Can Learn by Playing This Game * Teamwork, Responsibility and the Benefits of Listening to the Coach and Doing the Right Things (the things the Coach tells them to do). This Game will teach your players that teamwork is critical. The Passer and Receiver must BOTH do their jobs and work together or they will lose. One bad mistake and they lose. The teams that hustle, are most alert, try the hardest and listen to the Coachs tips will do the best and win the most those that dont will lose. Players will get quick, positive feedback if they are doing the right things and will quickly see the negative results of NOT doing the right things they will have to do the right things if they want to win, and if they dont, they will lose. I think most coaches want their players to want to win and to want to try to do the right things. In this Game, players immediately see the results of listening to the Coach and doing the right

things that he tells them to do. If they listen to the Coach they will win... if they don't, they will lose, and it will be clear why they lost. It's a very good way to teach many important things. * Kicking and Passing the Ball While Running. I dont have to explain why this is important. A basic and very important skill is to be able to kick the ball accurately while running, and the only way to learn that is by practice. Many coaches spend time on Shooting Drills. I think this Game is a better, more efficient way to practice this skill. Also, this Game teaches players to perform the skill while under pressure and at game speed. If you practice a Shooting Drill, how many actual shots will each player get? 3 to 5? You can play this Game with pairs (2 players per team), and in 3 games each player will have gotten about 15 shots (i.e., 15 practices on kicking a ball while running and under pressure at game speed). You can play 3 games in about 10-15 minutes. Think about it. The players are getting 300% to 500% more practices of this skill and the practices are under pressure and at game speed, and the players are having fun. * Improving the Receiver's First-Touch and OneTouch Control to Open Space. Want to make your attack faster and more creative? One of the best ways is by teaching your players to play faster and to use open space. I think one of the mistakes of U.S. soccer is teaching that passing is to feet. The result is that many players only know how to pass to feet and their concept of a pass is a ball played to a teammates feet. Receivers start to think this way too and if a pass doesnt come to their feet, they will just stand there and watch it go past or criticize the passer for making a bad pass. In this Practice Game, a player can either receive the ball 2-touch (i.e., stop the ball and THEN start to dribble). OR he can one-touch block the ball into the open space in front and run to the ball, which will speed up his play. This is a concept and style of play that you want your players to learn because its faster and teaches them to think about how to use open space to advance their attack. When you play the Practice Game, the teams that play this way will beat those who dont. The result will be that all your players will quickly and clearly see the advantages and want to

learn to play this way. They will be motivated to learn so they can win the game. * Receiver to Stay on Toes and Stop Bad Passes. As described above, you MUST teach your players to NOT expect a pass to come to their feet. They MUST stay on their toes and ready to move in either direction. Their TOP PRIORITY MUST BE to stop a pass from going past them, because if that happens the opponent will get the ball. In this game, if a bad pass goes past the Receiver, his team WILL LOSE THE GAME. * Receiver Should Move to Ball (Not Wait for Ball to Come to Feet). In addition to stopping a bad pass, this Game will teach the receiver to MOVE TO THE PASS. The rules of this Game allow the receiver to move toward the pass as soon as the ball is passed. Now, the receiver will learn that he cant just rush at the ball because if the pass isnt accurate it will go past him, and one bad pass that isnt stopped will lose the Game. So, the Coach should advise players to watch to be sure the pass is coming toward them before starting their run toward the pass they should get in line with the pass. The way to do this is move to intercept the ball that is the first thing to do. Teaching players to move to the pass has many advantages. You may be thinking There are times when the receiver shouldnt move toward the pass. Yes, thats true, but your players will figure it out. Moving toward the pass will prevent the pass from being intercepted by an marking opponent. It also teaches the receiver to watch the balls line and to NOT wait for the ball to come to his feet. It teaches movement and aggressive play, which are both good things, and that the receiver shouldnt wait for the pass to come to his feet. The teams that move to the ball best will usually win this game. Your players will quickly and clearly see the advantages and want to learn to play this way. They will be motivated to learn so they can win the game. * Accuracy and Proper Weight on Passes in Game Conditions. This Game teaches players to make accurate passes that have the proper weight. The pass must be toward the receiver because one bad pass that the receiver cant stop will lose the Game. It also teaches the importance of the proper weight on the

pass the pass shouldnt be too hard, or the receiver wont be able to control it. But is shouldnt be too soft either. Players will learn this by playing the Game, and its the role of the Coach to give Tips that will help them play better. * Speed Dribbling: Show players how they can go faster by Speed Dribbling from the start. The first player can go faster if he kicks the ball in front of him and runs to it this is called Speed Dribbling. Notice that he cant kick it too far or he will go far past the turning cone and that will slow him down. He will learn about how far to kick it so he can catch it just before the turning cone and make the turn. After the first player, each subsequent player will start as a receiver and can block the pass forward as a way to go faster, but they cant block it too far or they will have to chase it farther than necessary. They will learn by playing the Game, with the Coach giving them Tips for how to go faster. * Observation as a Teaching Tool. It might be a good idea to let your players watch the best 2 pairs play this game and point out what they do right and wrong. The game can be played to 10 in a few minutes. You can point out why one team wins and the things they do that are right and wrong. How to Get Your Players to Listen to You (Tips for This Game): This is easier than you think: Lets say youre playing Dribble Around Cone & Pass Relay Race. Play it once and ask Who wants to win this game? Tell them you will give them a tip that will help them win. Here's an example of a tip: Tell them that the player who starts with the ball can kick the ball in front and run to it as a way to go faster. Tell them they will just have to be sure to not kick it too hard. (Demonstrate or have a player demonstrate). Another tip: Pass the ball as soon as you can after you have rounded the cone. Another tip: The Receiver must stay on his toes and watch for whether the pass is going to his left or right and start to immediately move that way the Receivers most important job is to STOP the pass, because if one pass gets by him his team will lose the game (this will start to teach Receivers that they cant just stand still and

wait for the ball to come to their feet the Receiver MUST stop the pass, just as they must in a real game). Another tip: The Receiver can start moving toward the ball as soon as it is passed (thats the rule in this game and probably would also be how you want the receiver to play in a real game), but the Receiver cant just rush at the ball... its not that simple... he must be sure the ball is coming at him, because if its a bad pass he may have to move sideways to stop it. Another tip: The Receiver can block the ball in front of him and run to it as a way to speed up (again, this is good training for a real game). Another one: The pass MUST be accurate... one bad pass can lose the game... the pass needs to not be too hard, but it cant be too easy either... they will learn the proper weight by playing this game. These are some of the things this game teaches, and your players will learn by playing the game. If you use this approach, it changes your role from a nagging coach to a guy who is giving his players tips so the can improve. The reason it works is that when they are playing our games they will see IMMEDIATE results... so they are getting immediate positive feedback and seeing that your tips really work. They will see that the players who follow the coaches tips win more games than those who dont... those who listen will win, and those who dont listen will lose. copyright footy4kids 2013

Speed dribbling (with thanks to Finesoccer.com) Here is an activity that works on speed dribbling and also getting the ball under control after dribbling with speed. Start with a 40-yard field with a 5-yard buffer zone on each end. If there are 15 players at a practice have 12 players start on the end line, each with a ball. The other 3 players start 5 yards back without a ball. See the diagram below for the basic setup.

When the coach tells them all to start, the 12 players with the balls try to dribble at full speed down to the other end line and get three touches on the ball in the far buffer zone. The 3 other players are trying to stop them by either winning the ball, playing the ball away or knocking the ball over the end line. If the players with the ball are able to control the ball in the opposite buffer zone with three touches on the ball, they get to go again in the next round. If the players with the ball lose the ball, they join the defenders in the next round. The last player with a ball wins. With 15 players you can play this game 5 times to have each player have a chance starting as a defensive player and each player has 4 chances starting as an attacking player. Not only doesnt this activity work on speed dribbling but also its great for shielding, turns, change of pace and direction, as well as excellent fitness work.

run, pass and shoot from the excellent Joe Soccer Summary: a fast, competitive and fun way to practice passing, receiving and shooting. Age group: suitable for all ages. Playing .. Split players into 2 even teams ... give each team a name...and set up 2 small, coned goals and 1 cone 10-12 yards away from the goal. Set up a line of cones 5-10 yards to the side of each goal (the older the players, the further the distance) Line up teams next to a goal, each player with a ball and each team positions a player outside the line of cones.

When the coach blows the whistle, the first player from each line dribbles to and around their cone and then passes the ball to his/her teammate who then returns the pass to his/her teammate for a shot on goal. The first player to shoot the ball into the net gets a point for his/her team. Play until one of the players scores a goal, so if both players miss the net, they chase down their ball and try to kick the ball into the net first. (Players should not give up until a goal is scored.) Weak passes from the dribbling player must be dribbled by his/her sideline teammate behind the line of cones and then passed to his/her teammate for an easy shot on goal. (Passes must be made behind the line of cones to penalize weak passes from the dribbling player). Coaching Points Players should dribble at speed toward the cone keeping close control of the ball. Return pass should be targeted in front of oncoming teammates for an easy shot on goal. Oncoming players should quickly shoot after receiving the return pass. Coaches must keep the lines moving so after a players has scored, blow the whistle to start the next 2 players. If there are a lot of players, split them into 3 groups. Encourage cheering for teammates. Competition, Variations & Restrictions: Play games to 7, losing team does 5 jumping jacks. Move the line of cones further away from the goal as the players become better passers. Restrict the side players to one touch soccer.

passing and shooting exercises from SuccessInSoccer.com. These seven drills were designed for youth soccer players in the 12- to 14-year range but they can be easily adjusted to suit younger children. Drill 1 Setup Players form pairs; partner s stand 10 to 20 yards apart, with one football between them. Sequence Partners kick safe passes back and forth. The receiver signals for the pass by moving up slightly, then drops back again after passing it back. Suggestions Players can use lines marked on the field for orientation and to correct themselves if their passes arent straight. teaching the push pass how to correct common ball control faults Drill 2 Setup Set up four cones in a row, at 1-yard interva ls (three goals). Two players stand on opposite sides of the center goal with one ball between them. Sequence A passes the ball through the goal to B, who dribbles it to the right and passes it back to A through the

outside goal. A dribbles the ball back to the middle and passes through it to B again. B dribbles the ball to the left and passes it back to A through the other outside goal. A takes the ball back to the middle, and B takes it to the outside again. A and B switch roles after several repetitions. Drill 3

Setup Two players at opposite corners of a square, 10 to 20 yards apart. Each one has a ball. Sequence This exercise improves timing and a players feel for the speed of the ball. Both players pass simultaneously. Each one passes straight down one side of the square, then runs to receive the other players pass. Suggestions At the beginning, players should stop the ball each time so that their passes are truly straight (otherwise, players tend to pass diagonally at first). Drill 4 Setup Two players (A and B) stand about 20 yards apart. Each one has a ball. A small goal (about 1 yard wide) stands in front of each player. A third player (C) stands in the middle. Sequence C runs a short distance toward A, receives a pass

through the goal and one-touches it back. C turns around and repeats the same sequence with B. After several rounds, one of the outside players switches positions with C. Drill 5 Setup Players B and C stand in front of a goal with goalkeeper, each one at a cone. The other players stand directly in front of the goal, about 30 yards away. Each one has a ball. Sequence The first player in the group (A) passes to B, then moves up to a central cone and shows for a pass. B kicks a square pass to A and overlaps. A passes the ball to C and runs to Bs cone. C passes the ball to B at the end of the overlapping run, and B shoots. After shooting, B moves to Cs cone, and C retrieves the ball. Suggestions Players cant pass until their receivers move up and show for the ball. Pass the ball right to your receivers feet. how to teach shooting Drill 6 Setup Place two cones in front of a goal with goalkeeper, one 16 yards to the left and the other about 22 yards to the right. One player stands at each cone (B and C). The other players stand directly in front of the goal, about 30 yards away. Each one has a ball. Sequence The first player in the group (A) plays one wall pass with the player at the near cone (B), then another with the player at the far cone (C), and finally shoots. B

and C move up and show for their passes. After a few rounds, B and C switch positions with other players. Variation Place the near cone on the right and the far cone on the left, so that the shots come from the other side. Drill 7 Setup Place two small goals in front of a goal with goalkeeper, somewhat off to the right. The first small goal is parallel to the penalty box line, about 20 yards away from the goal. The second is perpendicular to the first and 17 yards away from the goal. Players with balls stand about two yards away from the first small goal. Sequence Each player passes through the first small goal, runs around it, and then passes directly through the second. Then the player runs around it and shoots directly. Suggestions Focus on developing a feel for the ball and well-timed passes. Rearrange the goals after a while, to train both feet. copyright footy4kids 2013

soccer warm ups that improve ball control first published on footballcoachingcourses.com simultaneous passing

Players stand apart facing each other with a football at the players right foot Each player simultaneously passes to the other players left foot Each player receives the ball on the left foot and changes the ball to their right foot Continue to go anti-clockwise, How fast can you go and stay in control? Change direction (go clockwise) simultaneous passing (2) As above, the players stand facing each other with a football at their right foot. Again, each player simultaneously passes to the other players left foot This time, the receiver taps the ball from their left foot to their right foot and back to their left foot. Pass the ball back to your partner with the foot that receives the ball How fast can you go and stay in control? Reverse direction (right foot, left foot, right foot)

Pass and Flick Both players stand with a ball in front of their feet Player A aims a gentle pass to player B's ball B meanwhile flicks the ball gently over the oncoming ball to A with the outside of the foot Each player controls the new ball and continues Repeat Change so that B aims and A flicks Change to use the inside of the foot to flick Pass and Chip Both players stand with a ball in front of their feet Player A aims a gentle pass to player B's feet B meanwhile chips the ball gently over the oncoming ball to A with the foot Each player controls the new ball and continues Repeat Change so that B aims and A chips more soccer coaching warm ups

passing practice from decatursports An easy to set up and explain series of drills that will improve your players passing and receiving skills. Can be used as a warm up or in the technical phase of a coaching session. Suitable for all ages. PASSING PRACTICE I

Set Up Using four cones, mark out an 8 x 15-yard field. Station one player at each cone. Sequence Players A and B play a wall pass, and then B takes A's position. A kicks a diagonal pass to D and runs to B's position. Next, D and C play a wall pass. D shifts the area of play again with a diagonal pass to B, and D and C switch positions, etc. Focus On Accurate passes over short and long distances Making combination play safer Learning alternatives for combination play PASSING PRACTICE II Set Up Setup is the same as Exercise 1. Sequence Player A dribbles to B, who moves to meet A. B takes over the ball and kicks a precise diagonal pass to D. Then A and B switch positions. Next, the same sequence takes place on the opposite side, i.e. C takes over the football from D, and they switch positions, etc. Focus On Accurate passes over short and long distances Making combination play safer Practicing takeovers PASSING PRACTICE III Set Up Setup is the same as Exercise 1. Sequence Player A passes in the air to D while C moves in front of D. C fakes receiving the pass and lets the ball go by. D volleys the ball into the path of C, who dribbles to the other cone and then kicks a diagonal pass in the air to B while A moves in front of B. B volleys the ball into A's path, etc. Focus On Accurate high passes Volley passes under opposition pressure Making combination play safer

possession drills, games and warm ups help your players learn how to keep the ball! reproduced with the kind permission of BruceBrownlee.com This section offers a list of soccer coaching exercises that will help develop your players' ability to maintain possession of the ball. By combining one or more of the exercises with an appropriate warm up, a suitable practice plan can be assembled. Exercises In any of the exercises, you will find that it will be more effective to have the opponents work to win possession of the ball, not just to kick it away. Make the rules such that this is required. Otherwise, you will be chasing cleared balls and players will be standing around. Pass and Chase - Groups of 6 in circles, each circle with one ball. Player with ball passes the circle to another player, chases pass to pressure passer into one or two touch pass. Play continuously. Two Balls - Two teams in medium size space (like 30 x 40 yards for U14 boys playing teams of 6) each start with a ball. Each team works to maintain possession of one ball, win possession of other team's ball. Point for every success, play to 3 or 4 points, move on. For 18 players, use up to 4 balls. Encourages small group play, decision making in support of possession. Keep Away - Groups of 4, playing 3 v 1 possession with 1 ball in 10 yard grid. 5 v 1 - Play possession, 5 v 1 in free space. Move to 10 yard grid. With 12 players, run two groups at once. 4 + 1 v 1 - Play possession in 10 yard grid. Four passers on outside, one supporting player in grid, one opponent in grid. Player who loses ball takes opponents place. Try for 20 passes without losing possession. With 12 players, run two groups at once. Encourage the passers to work to split the defenders. 7 + 2 v 3 - Play possession in 20 x 10 yard grid. Three opponents and 2 possession players in middle of grid with seven possession players around grid edges. Possession team tries to keep ball in grid and to complete 20 passes without losing possession. Rotate

players every few minutes. Splitting Defenders - Play 8 v 4 in a large space, 30 x 40 yards. Work to keep possession and to complete several short passes in order to draw defenders in, then split defenders or make lofted pass to space away from pressure. Push the pace so it happens quickly. Adjust the numbers to get some success and some difficulty. Two Zones - Play 4 v 2 for team with ball in each of two zones, like 30 x 40 yard space. Players have to stay in their own zones, can pass with team mates in other zone. Team with ball tries for continuous possession. Add restriction, team must make 5 passes in one half before passing to other half to get point. Defenders get point for every ball one. Change defenders. If it's too easy for possession team, reduce the space. Three Zones - Play 4 v 2 for team with ball in their defending half, 2 v 4 against team with ball in their final (attacking) third. Leave a 5 yard empty zone between the two halves. Play to goals without goalies. Two opponents in first zone try to pressure possession team into mistake. Possession team tries to hold ball until its "strikers" in the final third can get away from their four opponents. Game - Play 6 v 6 to goals. Coach players to keep possession and to switch the point of attack quickly to create a good isolation situation (1v1) to create a shooting opportunity. Can add restriction, like 6 passes before any shot, to encourage possession. Difficulty Factors When teaching possession, it is very easy to control the technical and tactical difficulty level of the exercise. These can be selected and used in different combinations to add interest and variety to the practice. At the extreme level, where many of these factors are in place, the purpose of the practice moves away from "Possession" and towards "Speed of Play", a closely related topic, in much the way that "motor racing" is related to "driving". Same setup, just different conditions. To increase the difficulty of a Possession progression reduce the space make the space more soccer - shaped, not open, not square add players without increasing the space level the sides to make it more even eliminate restrictions on opponents...for example with

passers outside a grid and defenders inside trying to win the ball, allow the defenders to go outside the grid increase the number of teams in the exercise - like 3 instead of 2 add psychological pressure by adding a goal - like 10 passes to win add psychological pressure by adding a penalty for the losers challenge the team with the ball to keep it against pressure for a set period of time - count down out loud as the time nears add restrictions - for example - if one player uses two touches, the next may only use one touch give direction to the exercise - play to goal lines or goals add goals and shooting - require possession before shooting increase the number of balls in play to force thinking and vision Possession warm ups You can start your session with any of the footy4kids warm ups. These warm ups, however, are recommended for this type of session. Wall Passing - Partners with ball executing wall pass in space. Wall Passing in Grid - Put the whole team into a 20 yard square, let partners with a ball do wall passes around other pairs. Takeovers - Partners with ball executing takeovers with overlap and pass. 1-2-3 Touch (from Kerry Miller, Women's Coach, Charleston Southern in 1993). Partners at 5 yards with ball, one touch passing as hard as possible. Change to two touch passing. Push the pace. Finally, change to three touch passing. First touch to stop ball, second touch push ball forward a couple of steps to attack, third touch pass. Passer must retreat several steps immediately after passing. Partners move up and back together very quickly, very demanding physically on the quads. copyright footy4kids 2013

simple games and drills that improve passing and receiving skills from the North Alabama Soccer League download a printable practice plan that includes these and more simple passing games by clicking here (.pdf file) Warm Up Divide the team in two. Place players in a 20 x 20 yd grid without a ball. Place an equal number of players on outside of the grid each with a ball. Inside players move around the grid freely, receive a ball from an outside player and return it as quickly as they can. Switch positions after a while. Progression Return with one touch, then two touches, Receive with outside of the foot, inside of the foot, left foot only... Receive balls out of the air. Receive, turn and find a different target Coaching Points Quality of first touch. Keep it outside your "footprints" so that it can be returned quickly. Prepare the receiving surface as soon as possible. Be first to the ball, get into the line of flight of the ball. Make "eye contact" with the server. Changes of speed and direction. Do not run "across" the server, check back at an angle. This makes it easier to turn and look back over your shoulder. the ladder relay Divide the team into two or three groups depending upon how many players are at practice. Set up a "ladder" of cones as shown. Players pass and receive moving the football up the ladder. Last player in ladder dribbles ball to bottom and re-starts the passing. When the original bottom rung player gets back to the lowest rung the team "wins".

chaos in the circle The following game is used as a warm-up by the U.S. Womens National Team as a way to work trapping skills in a match related type of environment. Four (4) players are inside a 15 yard diameter circle with the rest of the team outside. Four (4) of the outside players have a ball. The inside players have to run around within the circle and free themselves for a pass coming from the outside. Initially let them just return the ball to the outside player and then move on to take another pass from another outside player. After they have become relatively proficient at trapping the ball have them trap it and perform a three touch move and then return it to another outside player. The quick movements within the circle, the heads up required so that you dont run into a teammate all help to simulate match type conditions

You can download a printable practice plan that includes these and more simple passing games by clicking here (.pdf file)

cross the ball!

two youth soccer coaching games from worldofsoccer.com designed to improve crossing and using the full width of the pitch The big mixed bag practice that you can see at the bottom of this page is suitable for 12-14 players who have the power and technique to cross the ball from the sides of a full sized pitch. The medium mixed bag, below, is more suitable for smaller numbers and/or younger players. It is useful for three reasons: We can never do too much practice on crossing, but we have to modify crossing practice according to age, ability and numbers.

Younger players cannot cross from the flanks of a full field, but should be encouraged to do so with a modified field. For older players 14-years of age and upwards there are times when a coach would like to work on crossing, but may only have 9 or 10 players at practice on any given evening. medium mixed bag Objective: To encourage young players to think more about using the width of the field. To develop crossing skills and to look to finish (or defend) attacks from the flanks.

Organization: Mark in an area 36 yards long (two penalty areas long) by 30 yards wide and then further extend the width with a 6-yard channel on either side. For older players (13+) go wider; younger players (U 11 and less) make it narrower. Put in a half way line, but not in the channel. Play 2 Attackers vs. 1 Defender and a goalkeeper in each half or whatever the numbers allow you. There are two neutral "crossers" of the ball - one on each flank. Keep a supply of balls in each net. Goalkeeper at one end starts by throwing the ball out to one of the "crossers" (wingers). The wingers play a cross in towards the goal. If the defender or the goalkeeper gets the ball they play out to one of the two wingers and the attack goes the other way. At younger ages try to rotate all players at intervals - possibly through all positions. Use the offside law to prevent attackers standing in front of the goalkeeper. Teaching: Encourage an accurate thrown ball from the keeper to the winger. Wingers should aim to cross the ball towards the far post with a hard driven pass or a lofted pass. The wingers should also aim the ball to split the difference with the cross in between the defender and the goalkeeper.

Attackers should go away from the crosser and then come in as the ball is played in - one to the near post area the other to the far post. Defender and goalkeeper have to work well together as the defender cannot man-mark two attackers. Goalkeeper should take charge and organize the defender(s).

Objectives To place field players and goalkeepers in decision-making situations with attacks developed from the flanks.

Organization Use half of a full-sized field. Mark out a 6-yard channel each side of field. Use cones/flags at the half if you dont have a portable goal. Mark in a centre line. The one or two players in each "flank channel" have no allegiance, they play for both teams. 3 vs. 2, plus a goalkeeper, in each half. When the goalkeeper has the ball, the practice is always re-started by goalkeeper throwing to flank players. Flank players can pass to one another, overlap, cross the ball or pass the ball into the 3 attackers. If on their own, take it and cross it. Change the players' positions periodically to give everyone experience in different roles (except goalkeepers). Offside rule in each zone should be applied by coach. Coaching Points Goalkeepers must work on good quality throws to wide players, and be encouraged to "switch" play. Goalkeepers must communicate their requirements, organize the defence and adjust to changing situations. Quality of cross from wing players critical for successful attacking play. Three attackers in each half need to communicate and work "off" one another, with particular attention to "near-post" and "far-post"

runs. The two defenders in each half have to work skilfully because they are outnumbered. Challenge For the "wingers" to deliver quality crosses; for the rest to outmanoeuvre the opposition.

defending practice plan

a model practice to encourage defensive play from oregonyouthsoccer.org Appropriate for U10-U12 soccer players Warm Up For these exercises, PLEASE ENSURE each player has shinguards on! Give all players a ball. Get players to dribble in a 20 x 15 yard grid. The grid can also be made larger depending on the ability of the players. On command 'CHANGE' players have to leave their own football and find another to continue dribbling. This gets kids to be aware of what is going on around them. Various stretches- Stretch hamstring and calf muscles. Dribble again. Stretch calf and Achilles tendon. Get a partner to put pressure on the ball with the ball of the foot, with their heel on the ground. Dribble again. Lift inside of foot to groin to stretch the glutemous maximus (butt!) Play 6 v l with 6 balls. Player without a ball has to try and steal one. Players stay within the grid. After 1 minute or so, the player without the ball gets a quick exercise. Then take one more ball out so it is 5 v 2 with 5 balls. At end of a minute, 2 players will be without a ball and get an exercise. Then take one more ball out so it is 4v3 with 4 balls. At end of a minute, 3 players will be without a ball and get an exercise. This helps players to dribble keeping their the ball within the frame of their body, and to hold off an opponent. In this period there has been no official instruction on how to defend the ball! Fundamental - Tackling Coach may want to introduce the block tackle at this point, for timing, rhythm etc. Coaching points include-. Low center of balance, knees bent. May want to start with players with a hand on their partner's shoulder. Develop rhythm, 3, 2, 1 go. Then develop to take a step in. Restricted Tackling - In a rectangle of 15 x 25 yards, play 4 v 4 and create a small goal on each end line. Number each team 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each number can only tackle his opposing number. This allows plenty of, chances to dribble, as rarely are similar numbers close to each other, at least at the beginning! Match Related In same 20 x l5 grid area, play l v l to small goals (same as 'Get out of here' game above). The Coach has the supply of balls on the mid-line and plays the ball in. Let players go through once each without any instruction. Then introduce the Coaching points:

> Curve defensive run to get between ball and goal (so they can't shoot on empty net!) > Defender must pressure ball quickly, but then 2 - 3 yards away slow down and get under control. > Get correct stance, (one foot in front of other) not square like basketball! Tell kids why! > Do not have to win ball, just keep between the attacker, ball and goal - block shot on goal. > If defender manages to turn the attacker, get in tight & don't let turn and face you again! Award goals if not quick enough pressure on the ball. Then demonstrate how easy it is for the attacker to turn the defender if too tight. Get distances correct with regard to the speed of the opponent. First of all passive defending. Then let the defender tackle. If they win the ball, go for opponent's goal. Teams keep scores. Play for five minutes or so. Coach defender in the game. Ask other players to keep concentrating on what the on-field defender is doing well and doing poorly. This way they have the opportunity to learn from each other. Disallow goals if rest of team are not paying attention to what is going on the field. Once concepts have been determined, introduce 2 v 2. Coach the defensive shape and concept of keeping 2 players at angle goal-side to support. Let the first defender know that the way he/she approaches the ball will determine what position the second defender takes up. There is no offside! If attackers run goal-side of the last defender award a goal. The supporting defender must have both opponents in front of him at all times. Match Conditions (no restrictions) Then develop to play 4v4 to targets in a 20 x 30 yard grid. Have to score by chipping the ball into a semi-circular end zone. Then play 4v4 on field with both teams also having a goalkeeper. In this stage it is best to let the game flow and not stop it every time a mistake occurs. A coach can call out what to do next time as the game continues! Summary Work defending session once every 3-4 practices at the age groups U-10 through U-14. Mike Smith OYSA Recreation Head Coach 2v1 sieve a soccer coaching drill from the SoccerRom collection 2v1 Sieve works on attacking and defending skills.

DESCRIPTION Set up three to five 10x10 yard grids in a row. Place two lines of attackers at one end, and give a ball to all the players in one line. Position a defender in each grid.

Two attackers enter the first grid and try to beat the first defender, who cannot leave the area. If successful, they move into the next grid and take on the next defender, and so on. Every time they beat a defender they get a point. Defenders only have to knock the ball out of the grid area to stop the attack. Each time the defenders stop an attack, they move up a space, changing places with the defenders in the grids in front of them. The defenders become attackers by stopping an attack in the first grid. When this happens, the attacker who lost the ball goes into the last grid and becomes the new defender for that grid, the successful defender in the first grid goes to the end of the attacking lines, and the remaining defenders all move forward by one grid. The first players to earn a predetermined number of points win.