Scoring & Finishing
End Game Activity: Play 4v4 or 5v5 in the same set up as 1v1 with half line. Team can score from back half for 2pts or attacking half for 1 pt. Half way through the game you can switch the rules and reward 2 pts for attacking half. Encourage players to put real pressure on the ball and take chances on attacking side. Week: 3 Age Group: U10 Session Scoring & Preventing Level: Intermediate Session Overview / Theme: Scoring and Preventing Training Session for an Intermediate level team. 1v1 moves, ball striking and 1v1 to goal. 1v1 Moves Set-Up Equipment: Cones, Balls (2/group) Players are split into groups of 4-6 players, split evenly behind small cones (see diagram). Player at front of the line dribbles to tall cone in the middle and performs 1v1 move and dribbles to other line. All players go to the right-alternate direction every 3-4 minutes 1v1 moves - select from the appropriate Standards Add a passive defender or a coach instead of tall cone Emphasis on quality of touch, explosion after the move Make it real; sell it Be comfortable with the ball while performing the move Partner Ball Striking Equipment: Cones, Balls (1/group) Players are split into groups of 4, with 2 players 15-20 yards apart (see diagram).player at front of the line will drive the ball across with instep (laces) to first player in opposite line. Player will receive and repeat. Players should alternate- 2 with dominant foot and 1 with weaker foot Ball should be driven on ground and received game-like by players Progress to receiving player flicking ball up and performing 5 juggles for a point; first team to 7 points wins Ball can also be driven across with no bounce or one bounce Lock ankle toe down Land on kicking foot Point of contact should be the middle of the ball with the middle of the instep. 1v1 with half line 20 minutes Set-Up 15x25 Equipment: Cones, Balls, Pinnies, Players are split into 2 teams of equal numbers. Defender passes ball out to attacking player. Attacking player receives as defender applies pressure to the ball. Attacking player can finish at anytime 1 point for a goal from attacking half and 2 point for a goal from back half Reverse points for 1v1 moves (2 points for a goal from attacking half) If defender wins the ball, attack the goals and receive 2 points Can play 1v2; mandatory 2 touch Attacking player must have confidence to try moves from earlier in the session Aggressive mindset to score and be a risk taker Defender must arrive balanced and ready to put real pressure on ball Encourage ball striking.
Session Scoring & Preventing Week: 6 Age Group: U10 Level: Intermediate Session Overview / Theme: Scoring & Preventing session for Intermediate level team. Sessions builds off of week 3 with ball striking, 1v1 attacking, and 1v2 defending-to put emphasis on risk taking with attacking players. Short, Short Long Ball Striking 15 min. Equipment: Cones, Balls (2/group) Players are split into groups of 3 or 4 (see diagram) with two players starting with the ball. Player A plays and up/back with Player B and then drives ball across to Player C and follows pass. Player C then repeats action with Player A. Ball must be driven with instep (laces) across the grid on ground Ball can then be driven across while in the air Player receiving the ball must be received game-like Receiving player can also flick ball up and juggle 5 times for a point; first group of three to 7 points wins Quality up-back, so player striking the ball can have a quality preparation touch Preparation touch should be slightly on angle: toe down, ankle locked, land on kicking foot If driving ball on ground, hips and shoulders should be over the ball and plantar foot beside the ball If driving ball in air, hips and shoulders should be rotated back and plantar foot slightly behind ball 1v1 Continuous Equipment: Cones, Ball, Pinnies, (use cones/flags if needed) Players are split into two teams. Place two players from each team in front of a goal (see diagram). One player from each team is in the middle grid. Two attackers take a ball from the middle and attack any of the four goals. If attackers score, they get another ball and attempt to score again. If attacker misses, defender and attacker switch roles Allow defender to only defend the goal as a defender-not as a goalkeeper Dynamic attacking personality Use change of direction moves to attack different goals, focus on proper ball striking Defenders must be willing to step away from the goal and put pressure on the ball as well 1v2 Attacking to Two 20 minutes Set-Up: 15x20-20x20 Equipment: Cones, Balls, Pinnies, (use cones/flags if needed) Players are split into two teams. Balls begin with the defending team. Defender passes ball out to the attacker and puts under pressure On the attacker s first touch, the second (cover) defender comes into the grid Attacking player beats the 1 defender-only the 2 allowed to defend. This helps the attacking player be more aggressive Quality pass by defender 1 st defender arrives balanced, with hands in a position to bump the attacking player; be patient and wait for your cover defender 2 nd defender must provide information push right, push left Attacking players must be aggressive in trying to get to goal End Game Activity: Play 4v4 or 5v5 in a 35x25 yard grid with two goals on each end line. Use restrictions to bring out the desired income- attacking/ defending emphasis. Mandatory touch- 2 points for scoring in attacking half, etc.
Session Scoring & Preventing Week: 9 Age Group: U10 Level: Intermediate Session Overview / Theme: Scoring and Preventing goals for an Intermediate level team. Ball striking, 1v1 moves and transitional play. Bolt Passing With 1v1 Set-Up: 30x25 (adjust as needed) Equipment: Balls, cones, flags. Split players into four even groups and place on the small cones (see diagram). Balls will start at A and C (not shown). Player A dribbles and performs 1v1 on flag and then passes to B. B drives ball with instep through tall cones to next player in C. Switch directions half way through exercise A must use a 1v1 move to beat the flag. B must pop off cone to ask for the ball and then prepare to drive with instep Add a passive defender in place of the flag Allow driven ball through the gate to be hit in the air Making a real 1v1 move in a game like manner Players must pop off cones into open space and demand ball with a voice Technique of driving ball-ankle locked, toe down, land on kicking foot; proper follow through to target with hips and shoulders 1v1 In Channel Split players into two teams and place in between goals as shown. Ball starts with Player A who passes to Player B and closes down. Player B then attempts to beat A 1v1 to goal. If defender wins the ball, they attack the opposite goal Keep score; play games for set time or for points; reward defending team two points for goal Allow attacker to score at either goal, if they score in their channel-2 points and if they score in opposite channel- 1point Quality of entry pass by A Defender must arrive balanced, try to push player away from second goal and onto weak foot; wait for mistake then win ball Attacking player must rely on 1v1 moves from earlier in session, not just athleticism; take risks 1v1 Build Up to 4v4 25 minutes Split into two teams and place players in between goals. Player A passes to Player B who goes 1v1 trying to get to goal. At anytime Player C can enter the game to support and now Player D must be alert to join as 2 defender. Can go up to 4v4. Rotate players either for time or points; make competitive Reward attackers 1 point for goal and defenders receive 2 point Encourage players to not always add attackers so there are some 1v1 battles If defending team wins the ball, they are attacking opposite goals Exercise is transitional and players must switch from attacking-defending and defending-attacking quickly Support players must be ready to join the game Use of attacking movements (overlap, 1-2, etc) End Game Activity: Play 4v4 or 5v5 with same set up. Look for transition moments to bring out in coaching points. Also, 1v1 attacking and 1v1 defending.
Session Scoring & Preventing Week: 12 Age Group: U10 Level: Intermediate Session Overview / Theme: Scoring and Preventing Training Session for an Intermediate level team. Finishing, 2v1 s, movements to goal and transitional play. 1-2 For Finish Equipment: Balls, 4 Place a player at each tall cone. Remaining players are split in half as shown with soccer balls. Player A passes into player on tall cone, shouts out 1-2 receives ball back and finishes into goal. Player B does same. Can use a coach as the 1-2 player on tall cone if needed Rotate players after each shot (follow your pass) Allow player on tall cone to fake the 1-2 and turn to goal and finish themselves Change set up for a left footed shot Quality of the entry pass Loud instruction on 1-2 Play proper foot More advanced players can use a flick 1-2 Encourage proper finishing/ball striking-toe down, ankle locked. Inside of foot pass for placement finish 1v1 to 2v1 Equipment: Balls, pinnies, cones, goal Split into three groups as place players evenly in three lines (A,B,C) as shown. Player A passes to player B and they go 1v1 to goal. After shot is taken C drives to goal to create a 2v1 to goal. Rotate players for time (5 minutes each station) If A (defender) wins ball, have them play back to their line, next player should give instruction of spin out or play back ; A can play a back pass to GK who has moved away from frame of the goal Player B looking to quickly take space and get to goal before being closed down- use of 1v1 moves and proper finishing technique Player C and A looking to combine for a 1-2 or overlap, takeover, etc to get to goal Player A take away option of second attacker and make it a 1v1 1v1 Build Up to 4v4 25 minutes Split into two teams and place players in between goals. Player A passes to Player A who goes 1v1 trying to get to goal. At anytime Player C can enter the game to support and now Player D must be alert to join as 2 defender. Can go up to 4v4. Rotate players either for time or points; make competitive Reward attackers 1 point for goal and defenders receive 2 points Encourage players to not always add attackers so there are some 1v1 battle If defending team wins the ball they are attacking opposite goals Exercise is transitional and players must switch from attacking-defending and defending-attacking quickly Support players must be ready to join the game Use of attacking movements (overlap, 1-2, etc) End Game Activity: Play 4v4 or 5v5 with same setup. Look for transition and attacking moments.