Plan 3: Ball skills, dribbling and introduction to turns
1. Warm-up (10 mins)
Game name THE NETWORK
Activity description - Have your 30x30 yard area covered with cones (different colored if possible). All the players have a ball each and start off by dribbling anywhere in the area without their ball touching any of the cones. Have the players then dribble to the cones, touch them and then change direction.
Progressions
Then progress it so players must do a specific turn/move when they approach the cones. Some of you have been doing the “drag back”, “big toe-little toe”, “inside cuts” and “outside cuts”.
COACHING POINTS
• Light touches, keeping the ball under control
• Dribble with their head up
• Don’t go to the same cones, use the whole area
• Complete the move about 1-yard before the cones
Stretching
2. Game/Exercise
Game name TAIL TAG (15 mins)
Activity description – Each player has a ball and also a pinney. The pinney is used as a tail and is tucked into the back of the player’s shorts. On the Coaches command the game begins and all players are allowed to steal any other player’s pinney/tail. Once the tail has been stolen they must then put it in beside there other tail. At the end of the game the winner is the player with the most tails in the back of their shorts. They may only steal a tail if they have control of their soccer ball. If a player loses their tail, they can still word hard to get one back – play for no more than two minutes at a time.
Progressions - You may choose to play this game without a ball to begin with and then introduce a ball each once they understand the game.
COACHING POINTS
• Head up to look for tails to steal and to stop your tail being stolen
• Soft touches on the ball
3. GAME EXERCISE
Game name CATCH THE PIGEON (15 mins)
Activity description – With a partner and a ball each. Name the players e.g. hunter and pigeon. On the Coaches command the first player dribbles (pigeon) and on the second command the second player (hunter) dribbles and their job is to try and catch their partner and stay beside them. When the Coach freezes the game, if player No.2 can touch their partner then they win a point, if they can’t touch them then their partner wins the point. Change positions. After five games, change partners – keep your record.
Progression - You can have Player one without a ball and player 2 with a ball trying to keep up. Once you freeze the game you may want to determine your own “accepted” distance eg can you reach your partner within 3 steps?? Encourage the pigeon to run in zig-zags to make it difficult for the hunter.
COACHING POINTS
• Running at pace with the ball under control
• Head up to find and follow partner
• Use moves/turns to change direction and lose your partner
• A successful turn or move gains you (your team) an extra goal.
4. End with Game (20 mins)
3 v 3 dual sided - split teams 3 player on the A field and 3 player on the B field. Subs sit in the middle of the fields. Parents sit on the outside of the fields. Coaches can be on the field encouraging players but please refrain from shouting instructions. Just let them play !
5. Don't forget the Team Cheer !
Potato Chip, Potato Chip, Munch, Munch, Munch, Who do we think is a very fine bunch ! HORNETS YEAH !
