Warm Up - LCFC (7 Mins)

Ball Mastery - Dynamic Dribbling  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.

 1v1 with Back To Goal 15 Mins

Technical Coaching Points

1. Body Positioning:

• Key Point: The player's body positioning is crucial when receiving the ball with their back to goal. They should adopt a side-on stance to allow for better protection of the ball while also giving them the option to turn quickly.
• Coaching Tip: Encourage players to keep a low center of gravity, using their body to shield the ball from the defender. Their legs should be slightly bent, ready to pivot or move depending on the defender’s pressure.

2. Use of Arms for Shielding:

• Key Point: Players should use their arms to feel the defender’s position and keep them at a distance without committing a foul.
• Coaching Tip: Teach players to extend their arms subtly to maintain awareness of the defender’s movements while keeping the ball protected. Remind them that the arm should be used to create space, not to push the defender.

3. First Touch and Ball Control:

• Key Point: The first touch is critical when receiving the ball with your back to goal. Players should focus on controlling the ball in a way that allows them to either hold up play or turn quickly.
• Coaching Tip: Train players to receive the ball with the inside of the foot or outside of the foot, using their first touch to move the ball away from the defender and set up a pass or turn.

4. Decision-Making:

• Key Point: Players need to decide whether to hold the ball up and wait for support or attempt to turn and take on the defender.
• Coaching Tip: Help players recognize when the defender is too tight or too far away. If the defender is tight, it's better to hold up the ball. If there is space, encourage players to attempt a quick turn and attack.

5. Turning Techniques:

• Key Point: If the defender is not too close, players should use turning techniques to face the goal. Some common techniques include the inside/outside turn, hook turn, or Cruyff turn.
• Coaching Tip: Teach players to turn sharply with one quick movement to take advantage of any space the defender has left open. The turn should be executed at the right moment to either drive toward goal or pass to a teammate.

6. Awareness and Scanning:

• Key Point: Players should be scanning the field before they receive the ball. This will help them assess the positioning of the defender, teammates, and potential space to exploit.
• Coaching Tip: Emphasize pre-receiving scans: players need to look around before the ball reaches them to make quicker decisions once they receive it. This helps them know whether to hold the ball, pass, or turn.

7. Maintaining Composure:

• Key Point: It’s essential for players to remain calm and composed under pressure from the defender.
• Coaching Tip: Reinforce to players that they shouldn’t rush their decision or panic. Encourage them to remain calm, use their body to protect the ball, and take their time to find the best option, whether that’s turning or passing.

8. Footwork and Movement:

• Key Point: Players need to use quick footwork to create separation from the defender. This includes small adjustments to create enough space to turn or hold the ball.
• Coaching Tip: Work on quick pivots and sharp footwork, teaching players how to shift their weight and use small touches to manipulate the ball and gain space.

Increasing Wave Game (20 Mins) 

Technical Coaching Points

Coaching Pointers for an Increasing Wave Conditioned Game

An Increasing Wave Conditioned Game challenges players to work in progressively more difficult scenarios, often involving waves of attackers vs. defenders, building up from 1v1, to 2v2, and so on. Here are key coaching points to focus on during this game format:

1. Defensive Structure and Communication:

• Key Point: Defenders need to remain organized as the game transitions from 1v1 to 2v2 and larger numbers. Emphasize the importance of communicating with teammates to maintain defensive shape as more attackers join the game.
• Coaching Tip: Encourage defenders to stay compact and cover for each other as the number of attackers increases. Reinforce the importance of marking and making sure that every player is accounted for.

2. Attack with Intent and Timing:

• Key Point: Attackers should be encouraged to play with purpose, moving quickly and making the most of numerical advantages as the waves build.
• Coaching Tip: Focus on players timing their runs to exploit gaps in the defense as more attackers are introduced. Players should learn to recognize when to pass or dribble to maintain attacking momentum.

3. Transition Play (Offense to Defense):

• Key Point: Players need to react quickly when the ball is lost or won. This game is perfect for working on fast transitions, where attackers quickly become defenders after losing possession and vice versa.
• Coaching Tip: Highlight the importance of immediate pressure after losing the ball, teaching players to either win it back quickly or drop into defensive shape to stop the next wave of attackers.

4. Composure in Attack:

• Key Point: As attackers have the opportunity to create overloads in certain waves, encourage them to remain calm and composed in front of goal.
• Coaching Tip: Reinforce the need for patience in the final third, with a focus on making the right decision when shooting or passing. Encourage attackers to work together and exploit defensive weaknesses by moving the ball quickly.

5. Reading the Game and Anticipation:

• Key Point: Defenders should learn to anticipate the attackers' next move, and attackers should be aware of the defenders’ positioning to make effective plays.
• Coaching Tip: Work on improving players' game intelligence by encouraging them to predict passes, runs, or movements of both their teammates and opponents. This helps defenders intercept passes and attackers create spaces to exploit.

6. Encouraging Creativity and Problem-Solving:

• Key Point: As players are challenged with increasing numbers, they must think quickly and solve problems as the game evolves.
• Coaching Tip: Encourage players to use creative solutions such as tricks, combinations, and positional rotations to break down defenses. Allow them to experiment with different methods of attack and defense, making it a valuable learning experience.

7. Fitness and Stamina Development:

• Key Point: As the game progresses and waves increase in size, players must maintain their fitness and energy levels to perform effectively.
• Coaching Tip: Focus on high-intensity bursts followed by recovery periods. Help players understand how to conserve energy when possible and explode into action when the moment is right.

Counter Attacks Conditioned Game (20 Mins)

Technical Coaching Points

1. Speed of the Attack:

• Objective: To exploit defensive weaknesses, attackers must play with speed and urgency during a counter-attack. This helps catch the opposition defense unbalanced and out of position.
• Coaching Focus: Encourage players to quickly move the ball forward with as few touches as possible, taking advantage of shooting opportunities as soon as they arise.

2. Movement Off the Ball:

• Objective: Attackers should use creative and dynamic movement to find space in and around the opposition’s box, allowing for quick finishing with minimal touches.
• Coaching Focus: Teach players to make diagonal and curved runs to escape defenders, ensuring they position themselves where they can receive the ball in a dangerous area and finish with precision.

3. Exploiting Overloads:

• Objective: Upon winning the ball, players should recognize when the defense is outnumbered and capitalize on numerical advantages.
• Coaching Focus: Reinforce the importance of quick decision-making to exploit defensive imbalance by using passing combinations and smart positioning to overload the opposition, ensuring they are outnumbered during the counter-attack.

By applying these principles, players will become more effective in executing rapid, precise counter-attacks, overwhelming unbalanced defenses and creating high-quality goal-scoring chances.

Free Play Game (15 Mins) No Retreat