To make these sessions work over and over again the session has to be fresh and fun otherwise the kids will find the session very easy and become bored and mess around which isn’t what the parents want to see or you as a coach. I aim to provide you with several session plans for passing and receiving the ball which can be used at any mini soccer age groups of any ability. I will provide adjustments that can be used whether the session is too easy or too hard.
Warm Ups
• 20 x 20 yds
• Ideally 10 players
Get the team into pairs and with a ball per pair have them using the full square passing the ball between themselves making sure they don’t lose possession.
Place 5 goals using 2 cones (1 per pairing) about 1 ft apart and now get the team to make passes through each grid, this will get the kids making sure the path is clear to make the pass. And should control the speed of the pass and improve the receiving the ball as the body should automatically be behind the ball
Remove 2 goals (only 1 if the team are struggling), have the team carry on with what they were doing. By removing the two goals, this will encourage the players to lift the head and look for other players within the square whilst still trying to make the pass.
Add another goal back in to play (4 goals all together) turn two of the players into defenders and start again. This will then put the players under pressure. You can focus the defenders on particular pairs if they are comfortable and watch how they cope, they should use the same skills as previously mentioned but you should see an increase in communication.
Please click on picture to see clearer view
Overall this session should take 10 – 15 minutes
Skills used
• Passing
• Receiving
• Head up
• Communication
• Positioning
• Running with the ball
• Defending
Skill
After the warm up it is vital to make it more competitive to allow you, as the coach, to see if the players have picked the aim of the warm up.
A great game I use and can be used for many other session is a small pitch, 30yds x 10yds with two goals at each end. The team is split into 2, with one team in one corner and the other team in the opposite corner. The aim of the game is to run to the other end around the corner flag and attack the ball in the middle. The way that this works is by you issuing numbers 1 to 5 for each player. You need to shout 2 numbers per go, they will then both run around the corner flag at the other end and back into the middle, the ball will be in the middle and they need to score into their goal by using the skills learnt above. You can start off with no restrictions and watch them go, if you notice they are shooting straightaway you can add to passes before shooting which slows down the game but makes them think more. Initially it takes a while for them to get used to the concept at 2v2 but with communication and positioning it becomes easier.
Advancements
• 2v2
o Two passes minimum before shooting
• 3v3
o Three passes minimum before shooting
o Four passes minimum before shooting
• 5v5
o Pass to everyone in team before shooting
Please click on picture to see clearer view
Match
Normal match conditions but only coach passing and receiving the ball. If you start to coach other elements of the game you won’t develop the full skills for the session. If you find that the players aren’t passing and excellent way of improving this is to add channels down both side of the pitch, make 1 player from each team a winger who can’t be tackled and then each team has to pass into the channel when they receive the ball, the winger can then get into position and cross into the box, once the defending team win the ball this then switches and they need to get the ball into the channel before attacking.
Match
Normal match conditions but only coach passing and receiving the ball. If you start to coach other elements of the game you won’t develop the full skills for the session. If you find that the players aren’t passing and excellent way of improving this is to add channels down both side of the pitch, make 1 player from each team a winger who can’t be tackled and then each team has to pass into the channel when they receive the ball, the winger can then get into position and cross into the box, once the defending team win the ball this then switches and they need to get the ball into the channel before attacking.
Please click on picture to see clearer view
Comments gratefully appreciated
Very helpful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice graphics. What program do you use? Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI found a FA coaching tool online, I cant remember how I came across it, sorry...
ReplyDeleteLooks good that coach...thorough and well presented
ReplyDeleteI've used the numbers game before, its a very good game for younger kids. One thing I would mention is that instead of leaving the ball in the middle for the players to attack, you as the coach should roll the ball to whichever player gets to their flag first. Two reasons for this - firstly it more clearly defines who the attackers and defenders are so they can get into better positions, and you can if you wish coach on communication and principles of attacking and defending. The second reason is one of safety, as I used to roll the ball into the middle until 2 rather quick kids both made it to the ball roughly at the same time, ran straight into each other and clashed heads pretty badly. Luckily they were both ok, but it could have been a lot worse.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be useful to me is to know what age groups these sessions are aimed at / which you take? Also are these kids at a club or is it more casual coaching?
Like the graphics too!