Warm Up Capture The Flag (Evasion Game) 10 Mins 

Technical Coaching Points

1. Shielding and Protecting:

• Players should use their arms and bodies to shield and protect their bib from opponents trying to steal it. Encourage them to use body positioning and contact to feel where the pressure is coming from, giving them the awareness needed to block access to the bib effectively.

2. Slow to Fast:

• In tight spaces, players need to scan the area and recognize where space is available. Once they identify an open space, they should accelerate quickly into it to escape pressure. Teaching players to shift from slow to fast movements enhances their evasion skills.

3. Escaping Pressure:

• Encourage constant twisting and turning away from opponents trying to steal the bib. This requires players to remain agile and mobile, making it harder for their opponents to catch them. These skills directly translate to their ability to twist and turn with the ball during matches.

4. Keeping the Bib on the Safe Side:

• Players should adopt a side-on body position, keeping the bib on the side farthest from the opponent. This defensive stance ensures that they can shield the bib while keeping it out of reach, teaching them to protect and maintain possession when under pressure, just like shielding the ball in a match.

These technical coaching points will improve players' awareness, quickness, and defensive positioning while preparing them for in-game situations where they need to shield and protect the ball.

Ball Mastery - Dribbling & Turns  15 Mins

Technical Coaching Points

1. Close Control:

• When approaching the mannequin or cone, players must maintain tight control of the ball. This ensures they can quickly change direction while maintaining full control. Encouraging small, controlled touches helps players react faster and make smoother turns.

2. Pushing Into Space:

• When there is open space ahead, players should push the ball slightly ahead of them to move into that space. This enables them to cover distance quickly and allows them to transition from a tight dribble to a more explosive run.

3. Disguised Movement:

• Players are encouraged to add disguise to their moves, making it harder for opponents to predict their next action. This could include using tricks, feints, or deceptive turns to manipulate the ball around the mannequin or cone. The goal is to trick the defender into committing in one direction while the player moves the ball the other way.

4. Lift Your Eyes:

• After executing a turn, players should push the ball slightly ahead of them to give them time to lift their eyes and scan the field. This allows them to see the ball and their surroundings, improving awareness and decision-making for the next play.

5. Change of Speed:

• Players should slow down as they approach the mannequin or cone, ensuring they are in control and can complete the turn effectively. Once the turn is made, they should accelerate explosively into space, leaving defenders behind. This teaches players to vary their speed to execute controlled turns while maintaining momentum.

By mastering these ball control and turn techniques, players will develop greater confidence and agility in dribbling, helping them navigate through defenders and maintain possession more effectively.

Shark Attack 15 Mins (Mini-Stars)

Technical Coaching Points

1. Awareness and Quick Decision-Making:

• Key Point: Players should always be scanning for the "sharks" (defenders) and potential "safe zones" (spaces to move into). Encourage them to make quick decisions about where to dribble to avoid losing possession.
• Coaching Tip: Emphasize the importance of keeping their heads up while dribbling to see where the defenders are coming from and identify open spaces to escape pressure.

2. Protecting the Ball:

• Key Point: Players must learn to shield the ball from the sharks. Encourage them to use their body to protect the ball and keep it on the side farthest from the defender.
• Coaching Tip: Reinforce the concept of "hiding the ball," using their arms and legs to shield the ball while keeping their body between the ball and the defenders.

3. Change of Speed and Direction:

• Key Point: In this game, changing speed and direction is key to escaping defenders. Players should learn to slow down to draw in the defender and then accelerate quickly into open space.
• Coaching Tip: Teach players to execute quick turns and changes of direction (e.g., using inside/outside cuts or step-overs) to escape pressure. They should practice slowing down before turning and exploding away from defenders.

4. Keeping the Ball Close:

• Key Point: Encourage players to keep the ball close to their feet when in tight spaces, allowing for more control when trying to avoid the sharks.
• Coaching Tip: Players should use small, controlled touches, especially when defenders are near, to maintain control and avoid being tackled. Remind them to keep their heads up to look for space to dribble into.

5. Confidence and Creativity:

• Key Point: Encourage players to be confident and creative when dribbling. They should feel free to try new skills and tricks to beat the sharks and keep the ball.
• Coaching Tip: Celebrate attempts at creativity, even if they don’t always work. This helps build a positive mindset and encourages them to be fearless when using tricks or skills to avoid defenders.

6. Energy and Enjoyment:

• Key Point: Keep the energy high and make sure the players are having fun while learning. Shark Attack should be an exciting way to develop dribbling and ball protection skills.
• Coaching Tip: Maintain a fun and supportive environment, offering lots of encouragement. Rotate the roles frequently to keep the game dynamic and give everyone a chance to be both a shark and a player with the ball.

By focusing on these pointers, young players in the pre-academy will improve their dribbling, ball protection, and decision-making skills in a fun and engaging environment.

Attacking 1v1 in Tight Spaces 15 Mins (Pre Academy)

Technical Coaching Points

In Possession

1. Hiding the Ball:

• Objective: The player should use their body to shield and protect the ball from the defender, keeping it "hidden" from the opponent. This means positioning the body between the ball and the defender at all times.
• Coaching Focus: Encourage players to lower their center of gravity and use their arms and legs to create distance between the defender and the ball. This prevents the defender from making a clean tackle while allowing the player to keep control.

2. Driving with the Ball:

• Objective: When space opens up, the player should recognize the opportunity to drive forward with the ball. Encourage players to accelerate into the open space and take advantage of the moment.
• Creating Space: The player must learn how to create space by making off-the-ball movements, such as dropping a shoulder or using a quick change of direction to unbalance the defender before driving into the gap.

3. Tricks & Turns:

• Objective: Encourage creativity. Players should feel confident in using skills, feints, and turns to beat their opponent. Tricks such as step-overs, scissors, or body feints are effective in tight spaces when trying to outwit the defender.
• Coaching Focus: Reinforce the use of quick, unpredictable movements to disrupt the defender's balance and timing, creating space to drive forward or make a pass.

4. Awareness:

• Objective: Players should constantly scan their surroundings to know where the defender is at all times. When there’s an opportunity to turn and face the defender, they should do so, positioning themselves to attack.
• Coaching Focus: Teach players the importance of constant scanning to keep track of the defender’s movements, enabling them to make quick decisions on whether to drive forward, turn, or protect the ball.

5. Receiving Skills:

• Objective: Players should adopt a body position that allows them to receive the ball effectively, either on the front foot or back foot depending on the situation.
• Front Foot: If the defender is close, receiving on the front foot with the inside or outside of the foot allows the player to keep possession and protect the ball.
• Back Foot: If the player has created enough space, receiving on the back foot allows them to quickly turn and face the defender or move into space.
• Coaching Focus: Players should focus on positioning their bodies in a way that gives them options to protect the ball while being ready to turn or make a play if space allows.

By working on these technical aspects, players will improve their ability to win 1v1 duels in tight spaces, using a combination of ball protection, awareness, and creativity to create scoring opportunities or maintain possession under pressure.

Free Play Game (15 Mins)