Training Session Planner (Session 1) Warm Up: Football Specific Theme: 4 v 4 games Age Group: 8-9 Years 1) In pairs one ball. Player in front with ball at his feet, when coaches shout out a number. The players face each other and play that number of passes before continuing. Progression: Player in front with ball in hand and continue with volley s or control and pass, on coaches shout. Coaching Points: Awareness of space, quality of passes. 4V4 Game: Line Ball Objective: To encourage dribbling and creative play. Set Up: 1) Dribble ball over the line and trap to score point. 2) Basic shape of diamond emphasis on penetration, dribbling, wall pass. 3) Progress to pass over line and trap to score.
Session Planner (Page 2) 4v4 Game with no goalkeepers 1) Concentrate on players being allowed to express themselves. 2) Encourage a Diamond Shape, but do not over coach team shape. 3) Main coaching points are depth - length - width. 4 Goal Game Wide Set Up: Four goal game, Directional teams can score in any 2 of the goals they are facing.. Encourage width of play and change of direction.
Training Session Plan (Page 3) D. SMALL-SIDED 4v4 GAMES Top Left: End line game - dribble over endline to score. Top Right: Keep Ball - e.g. 5 consecutive passes = 1 goal Bottom Left: 4v4 with or without Gk's Bottom Right: 4 goal game - score in any of opponents two goals - emphasis on width. All games kick in from side to re-start and are 5 minutes in duration. Cool Down - Opposites Set up: Area suitable for free movement. Players move freely around area responding to commands from coach e.g. stop, go, change direction, jump up, hands down etc. Once group are familiar with commands coach then asks for opposite movements from which are called. E.g. change direction = don t change direction. Objective : To gradually decrease heart-rate and to calm group. Progression: 1. Low intensity fun exercise for players do not follow the coaches command. (eg. Standing on one leg touching nose) 2. A ball can also be used and players can dribble while they follow commands. Coaching Points: Ensure the players slow the work rate down over the course of the cool down and decrease their heart rate. Players should also be encouraged to do some static stretches 2 hours after the end of the training session
Training Session Planner Page 3 4 v 4 Games: 15-20mins Set-Up: Set up multiple pitches for large numbers, pitch size should vary based on size of players. 25m x30m is a good base. Start Players in Diamond formation, When team as the ball tell them to make pitch big by asking players to go long and wide, when not with the ball make the pitch small, by coming in from the side and coming short. Always reiterate the points asked for in the bedding down and game related practice. Cool Down (5 mins) Set Up: Half the group dribble freely in a defined area, whilst the other half follow static stretching activity. Switch group every 60 seconds. Players in possession can attempt to nutmeg or pass round and retrieve players performing stretches. Coaching Points: It is good for young children to develop good habits although warm ups and cool downs are not necessary at young age it is good to encourage good habits. Ensure the players slow their running down over the course of the cool down and decrease their heart rate. Players should also be encouraged to do some static stretches 2 hours after the end of the training session
Training Session Planner (Session 5) Football Specific Theme: 4 v 4 games Age Group: 8-9 Years Warm Up: 1) In pairs one ball. Player in front with ball at his feet, when coaches shout out a number. The players face each other and play that number of passes before continuing. Progression: Player in front with ball in hand and continue with volley s or control and pass, on coaches shout. Coaching Points: Awareness of space, quality of passes. 4V4 Game: Line Ball Objective: To encourage dribbling and creative play. Set Up: 1) Dribble ball over the line and trap to score point. 2) Basic shape of diamond emphasis on penetration, dribbling, wall pass. 3) Progress to pass over line and trap to score.
Session Planner (Page 3) 4 Goal Game. 4v4 Game 4 Goals Dribble to Score 1/ Concentrate on players being allowed to express themselves. 2/Main coaching points are depth - length - width. Coo l Down - Half the group dribble freely in a defined area, whilst the other half follow static stretching activity. Switch group every 60 seconds. Players in possession can attempt to nutmeg or pass round and retrieve players performing stretches. Objective : To gradually decrease heart-rate and to calm group. Progression: The exercise should be done at Jogging pace then slowed to walking pace to lower the heart rate.
Notes for Coaches Conduct During Games: 1. Be a role model for the children you are coaching. 2. Use language that children will understand. 3. Provide encouragement to players when they are performing well and encourage those who are not equally. 4. The result of the game is not important at this age, the focus is on enjoyment and developing the skills required for the future. 5. Do not dispute decision s. 6. Create a fun environment and do not create additional pressure by shouting or using threatening language. 7. During games it is sometimes better to let the children play without noise from the side. Session Preparation: 1. Plan session and equipment needed in advance. 2. Try to get to the training area first to set up and check for obstacles. 3. Create an exciting atmosphere. 4. Focus on coaching position and if required kneel to the height of the children that you are coaching. 5. Adapt sessions to challenge those who are finding to straight forward and support those who are struggling. Ideal Shape for 4v4 with possession of ball. As shown in the Scottish FA small sided games DVD the ideal shape for a 4v4 game is a Diamond Formation with 2 players wide and 1 up and 1 deep as shown in the diagram opposite. Team should start narrow and short and break wide and long when player 1 receives the pass. Try to encourage the players to create this shape however do not over coach shape, use appropriate language, make the pitch big, just come closer to the side line, go closer to their goal, move closer to our goal.
Training Session Planner (Page 2) Fun Game Set Up: Organise 4 coloured groups into areas opposite target. Target can be cones or balls placed on top of disk markers. To be the first team to knock down all their targets. Poor passes will hand advantage to other teams in the race to be first to complete the task. Progression: Change layout of cones to make it more changing or put and end-line and use balls the winning team is the team who has hit or the balls passed the end line. Coaching Points: Focus on quality and accuracy of the pass, ensure players stay the set distance from the cones to avoid conflict. Skill Practice (Control) Set Up: Red passes to yellow, control and pass back 3x then switch roles. Work both right/left foot. Progression Red passes to yellow who is standing behind the cone. Yellow to control and move the ball around the cone and pass back 3x then switch roles. Work both right/left foot. Extension: Red throws to yellow so you have to control a bouncing ball/control with outside of foot or thigh. Support: Decrease distance of pass/feed can be a roll/increase number of touches allowed. Coaching Points: Relax, open body, inside of foot to control, cushion pass, use first touch to move the ball in the direction you want to go.
Training Session Planner (Page 2) Fun Game Gladiators Number of players have ball and one defender tries to stop them getting into safety zone. If he gets a touch of ball attacking player becomes a defender. As the number of players with the ball get less make defenders go as crabs. Coaching Points: Encourage different types of dribbling, tapping ball with front of foot for a fast dribble. Instep dribbling to avoid trouble, encourage the use of the body to protect ball from defending player. Skills Practice 1 (15 mins) Shooting Set Up: Player 1 passes to player 2 who controls the ball before having a shot on goal. Player 1 then goes and joins in the line of 2 s. Support: Player 2 can control the ball taking a number of touches before having a shot. Extension; Player 2 can hit the ball first time with no control. Place bibs in top corner of goal and ask players to try to hit that. Coaching Points: Focus on technique and not power at this stage, for a strike with front of foot ensure plant foot is straight and flat next to the ball, for a straight shot make sure the striking foot is straight on the follow through. The back should be straight on impact with the ball. For a side foot shot ensure body is balanced and the plant foot is facing the direction the ball is intended to go.
Training Session Planner Page 2 Bedding Down Penetration (10-15mins) (Bib players up) Objective: To show 3 penetrative options in a 2v1 scenario. Bedding Down: 2v1 in Channel 10m x20m, First touch can determine how the play develops: Option 1. 1st Attacker (Player 1) passes to 2nd Attacker (Player 2), and attacking player turns to make a penetrating run at the first defender with a dribble. Coaching Points: Player must make a movement to create space to be able to turn and face the defender, Player one needs to move the ball to signal to 2nd Attacker to make the move. Option 2. Player 1 passes to player 2, player 2 takes the ball and shields to ball then plays the ball back to player 1 who has made a penetrating run, timing of the run is important, the weight and angle of the pass played from player 2 is important. Ball must be played ahead of player 1 so he/she can run on to it. Alternatively player 2 can fake a pass to player 1 and take the ball on himself. Option 3. player 1 drives forward dribbling the ball, he should drive towards the defender, player 2 should move to ensure he stays onside and provide a supporting run to allow the 1st attacker to either use player 2 as a decoy or to play him the ball. For support, the supporting player must never go beyond the ball. Game Related 10-15 mins Penetration Set up: 1 V 1 with goalkeepers in one half. 3 v 3 with floater in other half. Attacking team play 3 passes then can play pass to striker. Player who played the pass supports striker, then change to make the closest player supports to make a 2v1. If defenders win possession they can score by passing into any of the 3 gates at the other end of the pitch. Progression: Allow 1 defender to support and 2 midfielders creating a 3v2 in favour of the attacking team. Coaching points: enforce points made in channel. Timing of run of player making a penetrating run, weight of pass played to player. signal intent to play pass, penetrating pass can be made in the 2nd phase of play. Player receiving the ball should create space between himself and the defender so he can turn and dribble past.
Training Session Planner (Session 2) Football Specific Theme: Creative Player Age Group: 8-9 Years Warm Up - Touch & Technique Activities Players with a ball each dribble freely inside the defined playing area. Coach provides instruction on various conditioned movements with the ball as follows. a) inside-inside; b) inside-outside; c) turn-in; d) turn-out; f) change g) toe-taps. Players perform the conditioned activity for a set-time before moving freely again. Coaching Points: encourage players to take soft touches, lift head for awareness and control speed of movement. Coaching Points: Awareness of space, head up, look for space to dribble into, use both feet. Activity 1: Creative Player 1 v 1's Set up: Rectangle with 2 gates on each side. Objective: Yellow player 1 iniatiates move (without ball) and sprints through either of the side gates without being tagged by Red player 1. Repeat with player 2 then 3 etc. Progression 1. Introduce ball Progress to 4 v 4 game - score in any goal / min 5yd distance before permitted to score / add side players and introduce switches of play Coaching Points: Use a change of direction if required, take touch to protect ball from defending player, put body between ball and defender.
Training Session Planner (Session 4) Football Specific Theme: Penetration Age Group: 8-9 Years Warm Up 5 to 10mins Set Up: Mark-out boxed area for activity. Team divided into 4 teams of different colours. All colours have opportunity to do different roles detailed below. One colour act as chasers and try tig other players, players once caught must stand still and lift hand. They are freed by being touched by team-mates (the 3 colours not chasers). Progression: (1) 2nd colour has ball each (cannot be caught). They will move around area with ball and will free caught players by play passes through their legs. (2) Players with ball cannot be caught. Caught players are freed by receiving a pass KEY: ----> Ball Path Coaching Points: Emphasis throughout this warm-up is placed on accuracy of pass to free players, weight of pass (too slow through legs/too fast), timing of pass (proximity of chaser - will player be caught again quickly?). When caught comments can made about non-verbal gestures to team-mates to get free or to shout for help. Speed and Agility 10 to 15 mins Aim - To develop fast feet, speed and agility. This circuit will also develop coordination and advance knowledge of other players and decision making. Description - Players start at point 1 & 6. They work through each task moving into touch the centre cone (point 2) before moving in a clock wise direction through the circuit. Players always jog between stations. KEY: ----> Ball Path Route from point 1: Point 1 - Multiple jumps, Point 2 - Centre cone has to be touched after each exercise. Point 3 - Fast feet through ladders, Point 4 - Zigzag through flags/cones Point 5 - Jog back through gate, Point 6 - Multiple Jumps Point 7 - Fast feet through ladders, Point 8 - Zigzag through, Point 9 - Jog through gate and restart at point one