Pre Academy - Summer Session 6
SESSIONS : U6s , U7s & U8s (5:00pm - 7:00pm)
Warm-Up - Capture The Flag Game (12 Mins)
SESSIONS : U6s , U7s & U8s (5:00pm - 7:00pm)
Coaches Pointers: add the balls in after 6 mins
Overview:
Setup a pitch and organise two end zones in opposite corners of the area. In each of the end zones, place a set of bibs. Organise two teams that must defend their own end zone as well as try and get into the opposition end zone. In this game, players must get into the opposite end zone and grab a bib and return it back to their own end zone, without being tagged. If tagged, players must put the bib back into the opposition end zone and return to their own end zone before they can return to the game. Play for a set amount of time, or until one of the team has taken all of the opposition ‘flags’. The team that has the most ‘flags’ at the end of the time limit wins.
Coaching Points:
Dodging: Players in this game will need to look to dodge their opponents to prevent them from being tagged. To dodge, players should look to use their body to off-balance the opposition by using a change of speed and direction. Disguise will also help players to evade being tagged, by pretending to go one way and instead going another.
Communication: Players will need to communicate between one another to agree upon a strategy of how they will attack and defend. This will help players to work together not only to prevent opposition players from getting into their own zone, but also to capture the flag from their opponents zone too.
Speed: If players have space ahead of them when attacking, they should look to travel at speed to evade the defenders. Likewise, players will need to also use their speed to help them to be able tag the opposition players throughout this game too.
Decision Making: This game will challenge players to make decisions of when to attack and when to defend. Players should look to check their shoulders and look to help the team.
Progressions:
- Players have a football each and must control the ball.
Regression:
- Defenders are not allowed in the end zone.
Ball Mastery - Coever Grid (10 Mins)
SESSIONS : U6s , U7s & U8s (5:00pm - 7:00pm)
1v 1 Back To Goal (10 mins)
SESSIONS : U6s , U7s & U8s (5:00pm - 7:00pm)
Overview:
Split an area into two with a goal on opposite sides of the area. In each of the goals there is a GK who begins the game with a ball in their hands. Once the GK distributes the ball, both players have to race out to the ball and try to get to it before the other player. Once the player gets the ball, they must try and find a way of turning to help them to score in the goal. Add a time limit to each round to ensure players can regularly rotate.
Coaching Points:
Eyes Up/Scanning: Players should keep their eyes up and continually scan to see where the defender is to help them to recognise how they will ‘hide’ the ball away from the defender to help them protect the ball. This will also support the attacker in understanding how they can turn away from the opposition too.
Change of Direction: Quick changes of direction will enable players to turn away from pressure and the defender. The use of multiple changes of directions will help players twist and turn away from the opponent to avoid contact and stop them from needing to shield and protect the ball.
Ball Manipulation: Players should explore using different surfaces of their feet to manipulate their ball to evade pressure from the defender. Using different parts of the feet will help them to protect and move into spaces away from the defender.
Shielding: Players that use their arms and body to protect the ball will help build a ‘shield’ to keep the ball away from the defender. Shielding the ball is a great way for players to protect the ball and also start understanding how they can use their body to turn away from pressure whilst ‘hiding it’.
Progressions:
- Make the game 2v2, with two players from both teams coming out once the GK plays the ball into the area.
Regression:
- Play the game without a goalkeeper, with one team beginning with the ball and they have to simply get to the half way line and turn before trying to score in the goal. The defender has to win the ball back and try and score themselves too.
2 v 2 Wave Game (15 mins)
SESSIONS : U6s , U7s & U8s (5:00pm - 7:00pm)
Overview:
Setup a 25 x 25 area with two goals with a goalkeeper in either goal. Organise two teams, with the attackers being split into two with half the attackers next to either goal. The attackers should be organised into pairs and have a ball between too. The defending team begin on the outside of the pitch and are also in pairs but without a ball. The game begins with a pair of attackers travelling with the ball trying to attack one of the goals, as soon as they enter the pitch two defenders come from the side of the pitch and must defend. Once they score, the next pair come into attack. The defenders have to try and win the ball back and score in one of the two goals.
Coaching Points:
Movement: The attackers inside the area must look to try and move to create space for between them as they’re moving across the channel. The player without the ball should look to create space for themselves or their team mates by moving of the ball. As they move, they should look to be in a position where they can see the ball as well as the space they’re looking to travel into (with an open body shape) allowing them to play forwards.
Decision Making: With players scanning and keeping their eyes up, this will help them to make the appropriate decision of whether to combine or dribble when in possession with the ball. They may also need to make the decision to go 1v1 as well. Both players should look to create overloads to help them combine and get past the attackers.
Receiving Skills: Players should look to receive where they’re able to play forwards to enable them to attack quickly with an open body shape. If there is space in front of them, they should look to move into that space with a large first touch when receiving. If they’re under pressure when they receive, they may need to receive to protect the ball from the defenders.
Combinations: Combinations should be used to eliminate the opponents, particularly when an overload is available. An overlap/underlap will help to create space for the player on the ball, potentially to dribble or change direction to go another way. Attacking quickly will provide more opportunities for the attackers to create and overload against the defenders and therefore helping them to combine.
Progressions:
- Increase the number of defenders for the attackers to combine against i.e. 2v3 which will make the challenge more difficult for them.
Regression:
- Decrease the number of defenders for the attackers to combine against i.e. 2v1 creating an overload.