NATICK SOCCER CLUB - PRACTICE IDEAS THEME PASSING/POSSESSION Warm Up Practices Tracking and Passing In a 30 x 30 yard grid players are in pairs with one ball. Players are positioned one behind the other approximately 4-5 yards apart. The player in the rear must dribble the ball and follow the lead player. On coaches command Pass the lead player must turn. The player with the ball must try to complete a successful pass to the lead player. After receiving the ball the roles are reversed for the next sequence.
Coaching Points 1. Use the inside of the foot for greater accuracy. 2. Quick changes of direction and speed are essential to keep up with partner. 3. Lock the ankle, non-kicking foot next to ball Two Player Combinations In a 40x40 area players should be organized in pairs. Player one will start with the ball and will dribble freely in the area Player two (pinnie on) will be jogging freely in the area. 1. Change Player two checks to player one and receives a short firm pass. Players rotate positions on the coach s call. 2. Wall Pass Player two checks to player one and plays and provides a wall pass back to player one. One touch only. Use different surfaces. Blind passes Each player will work for one minute in both roles. 3. Blind Pass For fun have the kids try the fake and blind pass Coaching Points 1. Good communication between both players 2. Speed of Play 3. Technical efficiency 4. Movement off the ball/angles of support
Technical Wall Passing This warm-up activity gets players moving and passing the ball under minimal pressure 10 x 20 yard grid. Players work in groups of 8 with two balls. Two players (C,D) are positioned in the middle of the grid and act as the targets. All other players are located at each end of the grid. The first players in line (A,B) must dribble towards (C) and (D). Each player must pass to the target player facing them. When each player (A,B) is approximately 2-3 yards from the targets they must play a quick 1-2 pass and accelerate into the space to receive the return pass from (A) or (B). After receiving the return pass players must pass their ball to the next player in the opposite line. The sequence is repeated for a designated number of reps or for a predetermined period of time. Players keep score of successful 1-2 passes.
Passing and Moving Grids Movement and Technique based activity which involves laying balls off, passing, changes of speed Cones are used to create 4 12 x 12 yard grids as shown. 4 players per grid with 3 balls. 3 players are positioned in corners of each grid with a ball each, 1 player will be selected to work first Player in the middle of the grid (A) will work for approximately 30-45 seconds. This player must check to one of the corner players, receive a pass and lay the ball off to the original player. On receiving the ball back from the middle player, the corner player must accelerate quickly to find the vacant cone in the grid. Player (A) continues to receive and lay off balls for the designated time or for a predetermined number of reps. Progressions Corner players serve balls in the air with their hands so that (A) must deal with balls in the air.
Coaching Points: 1. Corner players must accelerate to vacant cone with their first touch. 2. Middle player (A) must change direction and speeds while working as if trying to lose a marker. 3. Communicate with teammates Passing and Moving Grids (Progression) Focus on laying balls off, weight and timing of passes, changes of speed. Player in the middle of the grid (A) will work for approximately 30-45 seconds. This player must check to one of the corner players, receive a pass and lay the ball off into the space to encourage the corner player to accelerate after it. The layoff should be in the direction of the vacant cone to encourage the corner player to go
Progressions Natick Soccer Club in that direction. Player (A) continues to receive and lay off balls for the designated time or for a predetermined number of reps. Corner players serve balls in the air with their hands so that (A) must deal with balls in the air. Coaching Points: 1. Lay the ball off into the path of the corner player. 2. Middle player (A) must change direction and speeds while working as if trying to lose a marker. 3. Communicate with teammates Technical Tactical Practices Champions League Camp Set up three or four 20x10 square depending on numbers. Each team should have a different color on and be given a Champions League team to represent. Four Players in each grid working with one ball Players will perform a variety of task and be judged on the following Communication skills Technical excellence Speed of Play Teamwork Players should be given 30 seconds to practice before they are playing for points. Best team based on the criteria above are awarded World Cup Points
Game 1 Passing Races inside the grid (everyone touches the ball twice) Game 2 - Passing in Sequences -1-4/4-1 Game 3 Patterns such as wall passes and takeovers (if ability suits) Game 4 3V1 Possession Play-offs Pass & Move send defender (call number) into opponent s camp 3v1 for 45 secs 1pt to attackers if they can make 5 passes 1pt to defender if they can gain control of the ball (This can be 4 v1 depending on ability) Short Possession Coaching Points 1. Shape of the three 2. Angles of support 3. Quality of First touch 4. Weight of short pass 5. Communication These games should be played with a high temp and should be very competitive. 2 pts for a win in a ladder format.
4v4+2 A 20x20 yard grid is created with two cones positioned 1 yard from each corner as shown in the diagram 1 below. Two teams of six players are organized as follows: 4v4 inside grid, two players from each team positioned in a corner. Both teams compete for possession of the ball. Players must maintain possession through sharp passing and constant movement. Points are awarded for passing to a corner player and receiving a return pass from the corner player. The return pass must go to the player who made the initial pass for a point to be awarded (The corner players may opt to pass to another teammate at any time) Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Progression 1 As above except, the corner player must play the return pass to a different teammate as shown in Diagram 2
Coaching Points The playing area is tight and must encourage quick ball movement. 1. One and two touch play is essential. 2. Communication is vital. 3. Players must offer appropriate angles and distance of support 4. Corner players must have an awareness of what options are available. Progression 2 As above except that the corner player now enters the playing area upon receiving a pass. The player that made the initial pass replaces the corner player and play continues as shown in Diagram 3 below. Diagram 3 Coaching Points 1. Corner players must transition quickly into the playing area stay switched on! 2. Sharp ball movement. 3. Angles and distance of support. 4. Communication.
4v4 to Targets Players now possess the ball looking for a penetrating pass. 20 x 20 yard grid. Twelve players per grid with one ball. Two target players are positioned at each end of the grid as shown. Eight players are positioned inside the playing area creating a 4v4 situation. Play begins with a pass from one of the target players. The team in possession must attempt to turn and play a pass to the targets feet at the opposite end of the grid. In the above diagram the yellow team has received a pass from the target player. Player (A) has combined with player (B). Player (B) has successfully turned and played a pass to the opposite target player. The target players must return the ball to whichever team passed to them within 2 touches. Play is continuous in both directions for a designated period of time. Points are awarded for each successful pass to the target players. Players cannot score at the same side twice in a row. Back passes can be made to the target players. Rotate the teams regularly to avoid fatigue. Progression Reduce the size of the playing area.
Coaching Points: 1. Passing must be sharp and accurate keep the ball moving. 2. Players must try to receive the ball in a half-turned position. 3. Play penetrating balls to the targets as quickly as possible find their feet. 4. Communication is vital turn, man on etc