New Canaan
Soccer Club
SKILL BASED CURRICULUM - U’9 PLAYERS
The curricula for the u’9 players create modular coaching sessions. This skill-based
curriculum is taught through a series of developmental practices that isolate the particular
theme/skill for that session. The measure of success becomes how well the skill is performed
in a realistic game situation.
This approach provides every coach and player with a definite ‘GOAL’ for each session.
Coaches should note that players from 3rd grade and up will enjoy the more skill based or
‘GOAL’ driven approach. It should also be noted that those players having participated in
NOGA SOCCER based sessions at a younger age would experience more success with the
following work.
The skills taught are as follows:
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Breaking Pressure
Applying Pressure – forcing turnovers
Forward foot passing
Performing a give and go (Wall pass)
Turning an Opponent
Possessing the ball
Making an Overlap
Creating space and shooting
The novice coach should perceive the teaching time prior to the game as their warm up
period. For the purposes of this curriculum and to keep the warm up period to a suitable time
limit, each session has been designed to be approximately 20-30 minutes.
Coaching In the Game
The following comments are provided as guidelines and suggestions for those coaches
working with players’ aged 8 playing in a competitive environment.
FORMATION - Players at this age need a basic shape to play from. Most novice coaches
inadvertently play formations that are top heavy. In a developmental program, with coaches
concerned about developing players, a possession style of play is a must. A style of play
where the goalkeeper has three or four options to roll the ball to and the defender receiving
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the ball has two or thee options to pass too. As play develops all players are then
encouraged to make supporting attacking runs.
b. In reference to the above the formations which should be promoted are as follows:
For 2nd grade
a)
6-aside (5 + Gk) – Gk – 3 defenders and 2 in a midfield.
b)
7-aside (6+ Gk) – Gk – 3 defenders, 2 in midfield and 1 in attack.
For 3rd grade (playing 8 aside)
a)
Gk – 3 defenders, 3 midfield players and one attacker.
b)
Gk - 4 defenders, 3 midfield players and 0 attackers.
1. As many of the coaches have recognized at the ages of 7 and 8 it is important to get
the players to try and play with “shape” - when a team has the ball they should try and
keep some width, some penetration and depth.
2. DEFENDING – the young players must be taught that when a team has the ball they
are all attackers and when a team loses the ball they are all defenders. As a priority
teach the youngsters to mark players and not space. NO TEAM SHOULD HAVE ANY
DEFENDERS MAROONED deep in their own half.
3. OVERCOACHING - the most common problem with coaches of players’ aged 7-8 is
overcoaching. Young players aged 7 & 8 need to solve the problems of the game
themselves rather than have a coach give them an order on what to do next. The two
main situations when this occurs are:
4. Throw Ins - coaches were ordering kids to throw it down the line even though none of
their teammates were available in this space. The players should be asked to throw
the ball to the player in the biggest space. If this is a defender in his half, then so be it.
5. Goal Kicks - or balls played in from the Goalkeeper after a save has been made. The
goalkeeper should be encouraged to distribute (rolling the ball is the best method) to
the player in his team in the biggest space which has the least chance of being
intercepted. AVOID ordering the keeper to roll it or throw it to the sides.
6. Try and pick one skill each week and focus some time coaching upon that skill, a
move or a chosen technique such as breaking pressure is good examples.
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WEEK ONE – BREAKING PRESSURE
Practice 1 – Pass & Move
Inside half a field the team is divided into pairs with one ball for each group. (one group of
three is okay if there is an odd number of players in the group). Players dribble the ball,
taking as many touches of the ball as they want then pass to their partner. After they have
passed the ball to their partner they have to move in to a new space in time to receive a
return pass. Encourage each pair to cover as much of the half field as they can and to dribble
and perform a move before they return the pass.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage lots of touches and sharp movement off the ball as soon as they
release the pass.
Practice 2 – Pass, Move and fake
Each Pair continues to pass and move as above. In addition each player must make a fake
just before they receive the ball. Explain, that by disguising the space where they intend to
control the ball they can neutralize a defender, thus giving themselves more time and space
to play.
Coaching points
1. By faking and disguising the space in which they intend to control the ball they can
learn to neutralize a defender. This will give them more space and time to play in.
Practice 3 – Pass, Move and Fake 2
In a more restricted space - (¼ of the field or penalty area) the players perform the same
sequence as above. This time the coach selects one or two fakes that they have noticed the
players try and has the whole team perform these fakes. The player selected to demonstrate
should be one who is performing a fake that is thrown more with the hips and body than with
the head. If none of the players are performing a fake correctly then the coach should
demonstrate, explaining to the players what they are doing wrong. As part of the
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demonstration the coach should also instruct the players to try and play a pass in the
direction in which they controlled the ball. This should have the effect of making the players
decide where they are going to pass the ball before they receive it.
Coaching Points:
1. The coach should select a fake that is thrown more with the hips and body than
with the head.
2. In addition to faking, the player receiving should be encouraged to pass the ball
into the direction they have chosen to control the ball.
Practice 4 – Pass & Follow
Working in groups of four they play with one ball and simply pass and follow. After they have
played a pass to any other member of their group they follow the ball, simulating a defender
putting pressure on the player receiving. The player receiving the ball should continue to fake
as they receive and then play a pass to the third member of the group and continue the
sequence by pressuring in the direction of the ball. Note that initially as each player
pressures they should allow the receiving player to be successful. The coach should
encourage the players to try the things they have been working on (faking as they receive,
controlling the ball in the direction they wish to pass the ball) under the pressure of the
defender
Coaching Points:
1. Stress that the player receiving the ball fake as he receives.
2. Stress the use of the first touch to guide the ball away from the oncoming player
and into space.
Practice 5 – 3v1 world cup possession
Keep the players in the same groups of four and place them in marked areas that are
12yards by 10 yards, and then have them number themselves 1 to 4. Each team is given the
name of a soccer playing country e.g. Brazil, Italy, USA etc. To begin with each group should
pass and move (in any order) with one ball inside their area. At regular intervals the coach
will call out a number. The players whose number is called then leaves their area and runs to
another group (this is predetermined) and becomes a defender. Once the defender has
forced the ball out of each area the three players have to sit down. The last group in
possession of the ball scores a goal for their team. This has the effect of allowing the groups
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having less success to observe the groups possessing the ball more effectively. Every player
should have the opportunity to defend. The coach should make every effort to ensure that the
training environment is competitive and players are motivated to practice at a high intensity.
There are many coaching points that can be brought out of this practice. But it is
important that the coach focus his comments and attention towards the players faking
as they receive and playing their first touch into space.
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WEEK TWO – APPLYING PRESSURE and FORCING TURNOVERS
Practice 1 – Dribbling Time
Each player has a ball and dribbles around inside the penalty area. Once the players have
started working at a high intensity the coach will call out certain body parts. The players have
to place the selected body part on the ball until the coach instructs them to dribble again. As
soon as the coach commands, the players have to get up from the ground and dribble. Prior
to the practice the players should be informed that they are not allowed to use their hands to
get up, thus allowing the coach the opportunity to talk to his/her players about the necessity
for soccer players to be athletic and not easily knocked off balance.
Coaching Points
1. Talk to all the players about what an athlete is – e.g. are athletes easily knocked off
balance. Lead the players to the belief that to do well in today’s game they need to
be athletic.
Practice 2 – Pass & Chase
Working in groups of four they play with one ball and simply pass and follow. After they have
played a pass to any other member of their group they follow the ball, like a defender putting
pressure on the player receiving. The player receiving the ball should continue to fake as they
receive and then play a pass to the third member of the group and continue the sequence by
pressuring in the direction of the ball. This continues so that all of the players have repeated
opportunities to both pressure the ball and receive the ball under pressure. The coach
should focus on the role of the pressuring player, stressing the importance of a positive and
aggressive attitude when defending. Specifically discuss stride patterns and angle of
approach and how they can be adopted to help the defender win the soccer ball.
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Coaching Points
1. Stress the importance of a POSITIVE and AGRRESIVE ATTITUDE. Their ability to
pressure quickly will be derived from their attitude towards winning the ball.
2. Discuss stride patterns and angle of approach as they apply final pressure
Practice 3 – One v One to a Ball
The groups of four are split in two so that the players are placed in pairs. Both players need
a soccer ball, one player leaves their ball in a space; this becomes the goal ball and the other
ball will be used to play the game. The two players then compete over the other ball in order
to get possession and to score. A goal is scored each time a player touches the goal ball
with the free ball. After every goal the goal ball is rolled into a new space and the process is
repeated. To be productive this game should be played at a high intensity and the defenders
should never let the person in possession of the ball play without any pressure on them,
particularly in the time just after they have lost possession themselves. Basically there
should be no time wasted during the transition from attack to defense.
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Coaching Points:
1. The coach should encourage all players to apply as much pressure as possible
to the player in possession.
2. The defender should forget about delay and be taught to focus on the fact that
the best time to win the ball back and apply pressure is normally when it has
just been given away.
Practice 4 – 7v4 in the Penalty Area
The team is divided into one group of attackers who will play against a group of defenders.
The attackers should always have two or even three more players than the defenders with an
ideal number being 4 defenders (plus a goalkeeper) playing against 7 attackers. This
practice should take place inside the penalty area (18 yard box) with the coach standing on
the edge, beside a supply of soccer balls. The coach begins the practice by feeding the balls
to the attackers in the area and they attempt to score. The aim of the defenders is to gain
possession of the ball and play it outside of the area. After all the balls have been used the
players can be switched (Always have a greater number of attackers).
As with the previous practices within this coaching session the coach should focus on the role
of the defenders, stressing the importance of them being aggressive in their attempts to win
the ball and pressuring the attackers quickly. The coach should also talk about forcing the
attackers into spaces that suit the defenders.
Coaching Points:
1. Stress the importance of an aggressive attitude for the defenders,
2. Educate the players to the fact that players who have to lunge for the ball have
normally been slow in arriving to pressure.
3. Begin to talk about forcing attackers into spaces where they will lose the ball.
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WEEK THREE –FORWARD FOOT PASSING
Practice 1 – Pass & Move
Inside half a field the team is divided into pairs with one ball for each group. (One group of
three is okay if there are an odd number of players in the group). Players dribble the ball,
taking as many touches of the ball as they want then pass to their partner. After they have
passed the ball to their partner they have to move in to a new space in time to receive a
return pass. Encourage each pair to cover as much of the half field as they can
Coaching Points
1. Encourage lots of touches and sharp movement off the ball as soon as they
release the pass
2. Encourage the players to pass within the rhythm of their dribble. That is without
changing their stride pattern
Practice 2 – Pass & Move- Guided Discovery
The team is divided into pairs (one group of three is okay if there is an odd number of players
in the group) and they continue to pass and move. On this occasion the players are asked to
think for themselves. Encourage each player to dribble and perform a move before they
return the pass. Explain to the players their aim is to discover how best to play passes
without slowing down their dribble or make obvious as to whom and where they will
pass. The players, with help from the coach if necessary should discover that passing with
the toe and the outside of the foot are both techniques, which will have the desired effect.
Coaching Points
1. The two techniques that the youngsters should come up with are passing with
the outside of the foot or the toe. Coaching points for the above techniques
are:
2. Outside of the foot pass
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3. Non kicking foot a little behind and to the side of the ball with the toe pointing
away from target (the inside of the non-kicking foot is at about 45-degree angle
to the target)
4. Kicking foot is led by the knee and strikes the mid point on the side of the ball
using the area just below the little toe
5. Body weight from the back foot that is behind and to the side of the ball through
the center of the ball to follow the pass
6. 4.Head remains steady throughout
7. Passing With the toe.
8. 1.With ankle locked and head steady the ball is poked with the toe.
9. 2.The head should be kept steady and the pass should be generated with a
quick movement of the knee.
Practice 3 – 2v1
The team is divided into groups of three. Each player within the group is given a number 1,2
or 3. The groups begin passing and moving in half a field. The coach randomly calls out one
of the numbers. When a number is called that player becomes the defender. The game is
now 2v1, this continues until either the coach shouts rest or the defender wins possession of
the ball. If either occurs the players resume passing and moving as a three. The coach
should ensure each defender works for up to one minute and their should be thirty seconds
play between the end of one defenders attempt and the start of another.
Within this practice the coach encourages the attackers to run at the defender and use the
disguised passes which were discovered in the previous practice. One of the reasons that
possession may be lost to a defender is the poor weight of the pass; as such the coach
should talk to his/her players about playing their passes with ‘zip’ (fast pace). This will make
it less likely that a defender will intercept the pass while also improving the control of the
player receiving the ball.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage the attackers to run at the defender and play passes with the forward
foot within the rhythm of the dribble.
2. Talk about the pace of the pass, which they play, and how the pass should zip.
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Practice 4 – 2v1 with direction
This set up for this practice is exactly the same as above (practice 3). However this time
when a number is called out and one player becomes a defender and the two players in
possession of the ball have to move the ball in towards one of the goal lines. The 2 players
score by placing the ball alternately on one line and then the other. (Use the edges of the
penalty area as the two lines). This continues until either the two players are successful, the
coach shouts rest or the defender wins possession of the ball. If either occurs the players
resume passing and moving as a three. The coach should ensure each defender works for
up to one minute and their should be thirty seconds play between the end of one defenders
attempt and the start of another.
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WEEK FOUR – WALL PASSES & OTHER COMBINATIONS
Please note that although this “skill based” session is and can be used in isolation as a “one
off” practice those players having completed weeks one through three of this work should
have a high degree of success with this work.
The two-player combination worked on in this practice session is the wall pass, however the
format used in this practice can be used to coach other two player combinations such as, the
double pass, fakeovers and takeovers.
Practice 1 – Pass & Move
Inside half a field the team is divided into pairs with one ball for each group. (One group of
three is okay if there are an odd number of players in the group). Players dribble the ball,
taking as many touches of the ball as they want then pass to their partner. After they have
passed the ball to their partner they have to move in to a new space in time to receive a
return pass. Encourage each pair to cover as much of the half field as they can and to dribble
and perform a move before they return the pass.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage lots of touches and sharp movement off the ball as soon as they release
the pass
2. Encourage the players to pass within the rhythm of their dribble. That is without
changing their stride pattern or setting their body
Practice 2 – Pass & Move II
The coach should stop the group and instruct them to sit in front of him/her. They will then
take this opportunity to explain and demonstrate to the group a wall pass (give and go)(the
technique is detailed below). Having seen the demonstration the group should continue to
pass and move as they did during practice 1, however the coach instructs the players that
every fourth pass should be a wall pass (give and go).
As this occurs the coach observes the players and gives each group individual help in
necessary, if common mistakes are being made or the coach wishes to draw all of the
players attention to certain points then he should speak to everyone together. The coach
should also draw the players attention to the suitability of the front foot passes learned
in session 3 as part of a give and go. This is due to the fact that it will allow the player
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on the ball to pass with disguise to his/her supporting player before continuing to
accelerate pas the defender.
Coaching Points
1. Watch as the players perform their wall passes – taking notes of the “coachable”
moments that arise.
2. The wall pass - A player in possession of the ball dribble towards a defender. Just as
the defender reaches out to make a tackle the ball is played with disguise to a
supporting teammate (approx. 10-12ft away). As the ball rolls one side of the defender
the player having played the initial pass continues his run around the other side of the
pass. The supporting player back into the path of the original players run plays the ball
first time.
Practice 3 – 2v1
The team is divided into groups of three. Each player within the group is given a number 1,2
or 3. The groups begin passing and moving in half a field. The coach randomly calls out one
of the numbers. When a number is called that player becomes the defender. The game is
now 2v1, this continues until either the coach shouts rest or the defender wins possession of
the ball. If either occurs the players resume passing and moving as a three. The coach
should ensure each defender works for up to one minute and their should be thirty seconds
play between the end of one defenders attempt and the start of another.
Within the 2v1 situation that is created the players should be encouraged to attempt the wall
passes they have been practicing against the pressure of a defender. However the coach
should be aware that if they attempt to use this combination every time they have the ball
their play will become very predictable. As such the players should on occasion fake the wall
pass and continue to dribble past the defender (especially if the defender over commits in
their attempt to block the pass).
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Coaching Points
1. Encourage the players to attack the defenders and play wall passes around them.
2. As the defenders over commit to intercept the wall pass instruct the attackers to fake
as though they will pass and then continue their dribble past the defender.
Practice 4 – 2v2 to a ball.
The players are placed in pairs. Each pair is going to compete against one other group.
Instead of each group defending and attacking a goal they place a soccer ball at each end of
their field (20 x 30 yards). The two teams then compete over another ball in order to get
possession and score. A goal is scored each time a player touches the other teams goal ball
with the free ball.
In keeping with the focus of the session the players are encouraged to use the wall pass to
play through the other team, while sometimes faking to pass and taking on a defender with
the ball at their feet.
Within this game there are many techniques that the coach could work on, such as weight of
pass, passing with disguise, movement off the ball and acceleration when taking on a
defender.
.
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WEEK FIVE – TURNING AN OPPONENT
Practice 1 – Dribbling and Turning
Inside the penalty box each player dribbles around with a ball. When the coach says turn the
players have to turn 180 degree’s and explode away in the opposite direction. The players
should take lots of touches on the ball and move very quickly through and after the turn. The
coach should also assess they types of turns that the players are using.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage lots of touches and sharp movement off the turn.
2. Assess the type of turns that they do.
Practice 2 – Dribbling, Turning and Teaching
The set up for this next practice is exactly the same as in practice 1. However the coach is
going to teach each of the players a specific turn – e.g. chopping the ball backward with the
outside of the foot. So that when the instruction is given all of the players perform the same
move.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage lots of touches and sharp movement off the turn.
2. Assess the type of turns that they do.
3. Encourage the players to keep their center of gravity low as they turn so that they can
turn quickly.
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Practice 3 – Pass, Move & Turn
The team is divided into threes. Encourage, in turn, each player to try and check back to the
ball and perform a turn as they receive the ball and then pass the ball in the direction they
moved into.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage lots of touches and sharp movement off the ball as soon as they release
the pass.
2. Encourage a sharp turn as they receive the ball and explain to the players why they
should turn their body sidewise as they receive.
Practice 4 – Pass, Move, Turn & Teach
The teams is divided into groups of three and pass and move with one ball. The main focus
of this practice is to encourage each player to try and check back to the ball and perform a
turn as they receive the ball. To explain, as one player has the ball and is preparing to pass
to a second player, the third member of the group makes a run away from the second player,
as if they were taking a defender away. Then as the second player receives the ball the third
player checks back towards the ball (which is at the second players feet), the player on the
ball then passes the ball towards the feet of the third player (imagining there is a defender at
his back) and the third player receives the ball and turns and dribbles in the new direction.
This process should be repeated as many times as the players can set it up.
The coach should use the opportunity to teach a move/turn which the checking player
can use. An example of a move, which can be taught, is described below.
Coaching Points
1. Check back towards the ball and turn your body sidewise as the ball approaches the
weak foot.
2. Just as the ball is about to touch the outside of the weak foot slide the kicking foot in
front of the ball.
3. Use the inside of the strong foot to drag the ball and turn with it attacking the space
behind you as you received.
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Game Coaching
Explain to the players that more often than not in a professional soccer game the majority of
the teams play a possession-based game consequently players often receive the ball facing
away from the goal that they are attacking. This is because teams try to play through the
midfield players to the forwards. Tell them you will be looking to see if any of them can collect
a ball, turn and then play a forward pass. When this does happen congratulate the player
who does this, thus motivating the rest of the players to do likewise.
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WEEK SIX – POSSESSION
Practice 1 – Passing & moving
Inside half a field the team is divided into groups of four or five with one ball for each group.
Players dribble the ball, taking as many touches of the ball as they want then pass to any
other player in the group. After they have passed the ball they have to move in to a new
space. Insist each group keep their passes short while covering as much of the half field as
they can.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage the players to keep sensible spacing and play only short passes.
2. Insist that they cover every blade of grass within half the field.
Practice 2 – Passing & moving with numbers
For the first progression the set up is the same, however in this practice each player within a
group is given a number one through four (or five). When the coach calls out a number that
player has to try and get the ball off the rest of his group. If the defender wins the ball the
group simply pass and move again until the coach calls another number.
At this stage the coach needs to evaluate the main reasons for the groups inability to keep
possession of the ball, examples may be the timing of the pass, how technically proficient the
players are or how good the players control is. This will allow the coach to target the specific
weaknesses of the players.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage the players to keep sensible spacing and play only short passes when
trying to keep the ball away from the defender.
2. Assess the main reasons for the groups’ inability to keep the ball - NOTE that they
should restrict the space in which they work to approx. 8 yd. by 8yds.
3. Examine - a. When they pass
4. How technically proficient they are - are the passes good ones.
5. Where they control the ball?
6. Do they make good decisions in their selection of who to pass to?
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Practice 3 – Passing & moving with numbers II
This set up for the final practice is the same as the previous one. However this time the
coach should coach the players while the defender is trying to win the ball. The aim is to
have the players possess the ball while using the techniques the coach has discussed. The
coach should also explain to the players that they would be more effective if they
move into a supporting position as the ball is rolling, rather than when the ball has
reached it’s target. This will allow the next pass to be played quicker if necessary and the
player on the ball to draw the defender towards them safe in the knowledge the next pass is
available once the defender has been drawn in.
Coaching Points
1. Stress that the player on the ball break pressure when they receive the ball and then
attempt to draw the defender in before passing the ball.
2. Stress that the supporting players must work as the ball rolls to be available for the
next pass.
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WEEK SEVEN – OVERLAPPING RUNS
Practice 1 – Passing & moving
Inside half a field the team is divided into pairs with one ball for each group. (One group of
three is okay if there are an odd number of players in the group). Players dribble the ball,
taking as many touches of the ball as they want then pass to their partner. After they have
passed the ball to their partner they have to move in to a new space in time to receive a
return pass. Encourage each pair to cover as much of the half field as they can while keeping
the space between themselves sensible so that the passes will be short.
Coaching Points
1. Encourage the players to keep sensible spacing and play only short passes.
2. Insist that they cover every blade of grass within half the field.
Practice 2 – Passing & moving - Playing into space
The same set up as above but this time the coach puts the emphasis upon the players
playing passes with pace for their partners to accelerate at top speed and run onto the
ball.
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Coaching Points
1. Encourage the players to keep sensible spacing and play only short passes.
2. Insist that they cover every blade of grass within half the field.
3. Encourage them to play passes with the correct weight and pace.
4. Players should be asked to show a tremendous acceleration onto passes played into
space in front of them
Practice 3 – Passing & moving - Showing an overlap
Having set the scene, now the coach will show the players an overlap. Using one group
there should be a demonstration with the coach explaining how the overlap can be used in a
game and how it could fit the way the team try to play.(the technique for an overlap is
explained in detail below)
Coaching Points
1. Encourage players on the ball to dribble aggressively to one side thus opening up
the space for their partner to overlap into.
2. Players making the overlapping runs should be encouraged to think about the
timing of their runs and the space that they run into.
3. Player releasing the pass should do so with the correct weight and pace so that
their teammate is moving at top speed when they take the ball.
4. Players should be asked to show a tremendous acceleration onto passes played
into space in front of them
Practice 4 – 2v1
The team is divided into groups of three. Each player within the group is given a number 1,2
or 3. The groups begin passing and moving in half a field. The coach randomly calls out one
of the numbers. When a number is called that player becomes the defender. . Initially the
defender should be asked to simply stand still when their number is called. The stationary
defender should now be attacked by his two teammates who perform an overlap around him.
The defender should make no attempt to win the ball; once the overlap is completed the
group pass and move until the coach calls another number.
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Coaching Points
1. Encourage the players to attack the defenders and perform overlap combinations
around them.
2. Once all players have been the defender the coach should allow the defender to
become active as he is attacked.
.
Practice 5 – 2v2 to a ball.
The players are placed in pairs. Each pair is going to compete against one other group.
Instead of each group defending and attacking a goal they place a soccer ball at each end of
their field (20 x 30 yards). The two teams then compete over another ball in order to get
possession and score. A goal is scored each time a player touches the other teams goal ball
with the free ball. Emphasis is placed upon players making overlapping runs.
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WEEK EIGHT – CREATING SPACE & SHOOTING
Practice 1 Players dribble around in penalty area with a ball each. On command of switch from the
coach, they stop their ball dead on any line, spin through 180 and go and collect another ball.
On taking, the ball they have to again spin through 180 turning as quickly as they can. The
players should be encouraged to increase the intensity level as they warm-up.
Coaching points
1. Opportunity to teach different turns
2. Turn with both strong and weak foot and turn both ways.
Practice 2
As above, with players encouraged to score after turning, fetch their ball, and begin the
sequence again.
Coaching points
1. Discuss the different ways they can score – pass the ball in, chip the ball in, curl
the ball in, power the ball in.
2. Can they perform techniques with both feet?
3. Teach the different techniques.
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NB Best done with two goals with goalkeepers in –dribbling in area in between goals
Practice 3
Players work in pairs passing and moving in area between goals. Encourage all players to
make quick one or two touch passes. As they pass and move when coach shouts goals,
whoever has the ball may go to goal and attempt to score. Divide the group so that half the
pairs are going to one goal and half are going to the other goal.
Coaching Points
1. Make this an intense competition -attempt to replicate the intensity of a goal
scoring opportunity in a game.
2. Assess the methods with which they try to score.
3. Encourage the players to analyze the problem the goalkeeper presents and the
problem the defender provides.
Practice 4
Set up area as shown – players work in pairs passing the ball back and forth between gate.
Each gate has a number. The coach randomly calls the numbers of the gate releasing a 1v1
to goal. Sometimes the player facing the ball will be in possession when their gate is called
and sometimes the player with their back to goal will be in possession of the ball. Both
situations represent good finishing environments.
Coaching Points:
1. Concentrate the coaching on the attackers
2. Insist on high intensity.
3. Problems for the attacker to consider –
a. Are they quicker than the defender?
b. What problem is the goalkeeper presenting.
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Practice 5
Set out area shown below. In each grid, place three players with one ball. The players within
the grid simply pass and move until their grid letter is called. Each player within the grid is
also given a number, one two or three. When the coach calls a letter followed by a number
that group become active. The player whose number has been called retreats and becomes
a central defender. Once the defender is set in a position on top of the 18-yard box the two
players’ attack in an attempt to score.
Coaching points:
1. Utilizing two goals have two groups go to goal at the same time.
2. Run the practice at a fast pace always attempting to elevate the intensity with
which the players work.
3. Show the players different ways in which they could combine and runs they
could make.
4. Teach the players to frame the goal – effectively following in all attempts to
score.
5. Encourage them to get the defender to concede either the pass or the dribble.
6. Limit the time in which they have to score.
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