Mass Youth Soccer Academy - Receiving Low Balls 2
Coaching Points: Ankle locked, contact ball in middle, cushion ball as it arrives. Keep feet moving before ball arrives. Positive first touch away from pressure, rather than stopping it. Practice with BOTH FEET and get head up after receiving. Non-kicking leg slightly bent, and kicking foot bent enough so that foot contacts the ball in the upper half. During game play, when receiving balls with back to goal, try to receive sideways on and look over shoulder before receiving the ball. Receive ball facing the way you want to play.
1) Four corners--- 5-7 players distributed into the corners of a square 20yd x 20yd. The one ball begins in a corner with 2 players. Moving the ball clockwise, the player with the ball passes the ball along the side of the square to a player in the corner. The receiving player, who is facing the pass, with one touch must redirect the ball down the other side of the square. They should use the inside of their right foot to re-direct across their body or the outside of the left foot to redirect away from themselves. Their 2nd touch, should be a pass to the next corner. Reverse directions after 2 minutes. For those who are successful, have them receive after a feint. Emphasize change direction of the play. (10 Minutes)
2) Partner Pass---With one ball for each pair, 10-12 yds. apart, players line up facing each other 3-4 yds. off center of a single cone. The player with the ball passes the ball straight-ahead to their partner who is facing them. The receiving partner receives the ball and with one touch, directs it laterally beyond the cone. They should use the inside of their foot to re-direct across their body or the outside of their foot to redirect away from themselves. Their 2nd touch, should be a pass to their partner who has moved into position across from them. Continue back and forth trying to complete as many 2 touch passes as they can with out making mistakes. As players become proficient direct them to receive with a feint, pass to a specific foot of their partner, or to use a specific foot or part of the foot to pass. (14 Minutes)
1 minute water break
3) Triangle Game---In pairs with 1 ball and a triangle of cones set 1-2 yds. apart. The player with the ball passes through the triangle of cones to a partner who receives the ball and with their 1st touch redirects the ball to the left or right of the cones through which they received the ball. They must now pass the ball through a different side of the triangle to their partner who has moved into position to receive the pass. The new receiving player must read their partner's movement and get into proper position. The teams score by passing through any of the goals to a teammate. First team to 10 points wins. After the 2nd round, ask how many pairs beat their first score. They are winners too! Coach could require advanced players receiving to perform a feint before touching. After the 3rd or 4th round, pairs that are ready can compete against each other. The winner is the one who doesn't make the first mistake. (14 Minutes)
1 minute water break
4) Bread and Butter---Typical 4 vs. 4 but with an additional 4 players who stand on outside of field and can be used by either team as outlets (with only 2 touches). If a team gets scored upon, they become the team on the outside and the outside team plays on the field. Use approximately a 20x25 yd area. Stress correct technique, receiving sideways on, and facing where they wish to play. May restrict the players to 2/3 touch to force quicker decisions, and better body position before the ball arrives. Keep score and make the game competitive. (20 Minutes)
5) Review---Ask players to teach you the technical coaching points to insure complete understanding in the group.
