U10s Autumn Block (Week 4)

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.

Pressing Triggers (Repeat week 4 - 7) 10 Mins

Technical Coaching Points

1. Quick Pressure on the Ball:

  • When the ball is passed to an opponent, defenders must react quickly by sprinting out to close the space between themselves and the player receiving the ball. However, as the defender approaches the opponent, they should slow down slightly to avoid being easily bypassed. This allows the defender to stay balanced and ready to react to the next move of the ball carrier.

2. Reading Triggers & Cues:

  • Players should always be aware and anticipate when to press. Key triggers include:
    • When the passing player opens their body to pass the ball.
    • When the player making the pass puts their head down to focus on the ball.
  • By recognizing these cues, the pressing player can get a head start and move before the ball even reaches the opponent.

3. Move as the Ball Travels:

  • It's essential for defenders to start pressing as the ball is in motion. This means they begin to close down the space while the ball is traveling to the opponent, not after the player has controlled it. This reduces the receiver's time on the ball and increases the chance of forcing a mistake or winning possession.

By instilling these fundamentals in players, they can effectively press the ball and understand when and how to apply pressure to disrupt the opposition’s play.

Finishing In And Around The Penalty Area (20 Mins) 

Technical Coaching Points

1. Creating Goal-Scoring Opportunities:

  • Players should use their ball manipulation skills (such as quick touches, feints, and body movement) to create space and beat defenders. Encourage them to look for combination play (e.g., one-twos or overlaps) with teammates to open up the defense and create more dangerous goal-scoring opportunities.
  • Positioning and Movement: Teach players how to get into the right positions to receive the ball in goal-scoring areas. They should always be looking to anticipate where the ball will go and be ready to take a shot when the chance arises.

2. Taking Shots on Goal:

  • Encourage players to take more shots and not shy away from shooting opportunities. The emphasis should be on trying different shooting techniques depending on the situation:
    • Power shots for when there is more space and time to strike with force.
    • Placement shots when accuracy is more important than power, such as when shooting around a goalkeeper or placing the ball into the corners.
  • Players should be taught to stay calm and composed, looking up to identify the best opportunity to score rather than rushing their shot.

3. Being Clinical:

  • Focus on Technique: Coaches should work on refining the players’ shooting techniques, including:
    • Striking through the ball cleanly for power.
    • Using the inside of the foot for precision and accuracy.
    • Body positioning: Making sure they are balanced when taking a shot.
  • Accuracy and Power: The key to being clinical is combining both accuracy and power. Players should practice regularly from various angles and distances to become comfortable with different finishing scenarios.
  • Instilling a Ruthless Mentality: Help players develop a ruthless mindset, where every chance is treated as an opportunity to score. Instill confidence in the players to shoot without hesitation and believe that they can convert chances into goals.

This approach will make the U9s more focused, decisive, and effective in front of goal, transforming them into clinical finishers.

Movement Conditioned Game (20 Mins)

Technical Coaching Points

1. Close Control and Dribbling:

  • Key Focus: Encourage players to maintain tight control of the ball during transitions and when under pressure.
  • Execution: Players should take small, controlled touches while dribbling, especially in tighter spaces, to retain possession. This prepares them to change direction or accelerate when space opens up.
  • Coaching Point: Remind players to keep the ball close when moving through congested areas, allowing them to quickly change direction and maintain possession.

2. Pushing Into Space:

  • Key Focus: When players identify open space, they should push the ball ahead of them to maximize their speed and movement.
  • Execution: As soon as space opens up, players must push the ball slightly forward to move into it and cover distance quickly, keeping their heads up to be aware of defenders.
  • Coaching Point: Encourage players to scan for space while dribbling and push the ball ahead to exploit gaps when they appear.

3. Disguised Movement:

  • Key Focus: Adding disguise to their movements to create unpredictability and throw off opponents.
  • Execution: Players should use feints, body movements, and turns to deceive opponents while moving the ball. Incorporating tricks will help them escape tight marking and create space.
  • Coaching Point: Challenge players to practice faking one direction before turning or accelerating the other way. Encourage creativity to make their movements less predictable.

4. Lifting Their Eyes:

  • Key Focus: After beating a defender or making a movement, players should lift their eyes to scan the field for their next action.
  • Execution: Once they’ve performed a turn or dribble, players should push the ball slightly forward, allowing them to look up and assess their next options, such as passing or shooting.
  • Coaching Point: Always remind players to lift their head after every action to make better decisions, whether it’s finding a teammate or spotting a goal-scoring opportunity.

5. Change of Speed:

  • Key Focus: Teaching players to vary their speed when approaching and exiting a dribble or movement, keeping defenders off balance.
  • Execution: Players should slow down when approaching a defender or obstacle, allowing them to control their turns, and then accelerate quickly after beating the opponent.
  • Coaching Point: Highlight the importance of explosive speed after a movement. Slowing down during the approach will help them maintain control, and a burst of speed will allow them to break free from defenders.

6. Shielding and Protecting the Ball:

  • Key Focus: Players need to use their body effectively to shield the ball from defenders during tight situations.
  • Execution: When under pressure, players should use their body to protect the ball, positioning themselves between the opponent and the ball, while keeping the ball on the safe side.
  • Coaching Point: Emphasize body positioning and using their arms and legs to maintain control, especially when pressed by defenders.

Game Structure:

  • Objective: Focus on keeping the ball moving, quick transitions, and identifying when to attack space. The game should encourage lots of touches, dynamic movement, and constant awareness of space and opponents.
  • Condition: Limit touches (e.g., two or three touches maximum) in certain areas of the field to encourage quicker decision-making and ball movement.
  • Progression: Encourage players to combine their technical skills (dribbling, turning, passing) with constant movement to maximize their impact on the game.

By focusing on these technical pointers within a movement conditioned game, players will improve their control, spatial awareness, and ability to evade pressure while making better decisions in-game.

Free Play Game (15 Mins) No Retreat

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