Combining to shoot and finish – U5-U8
This session is designed to improve the player’s combination play in order to create a goal scoring opportunity.
Warm Up
This warm up is designed for the player’s to develop their quality of pass against an active obstruction.
Set Up
- Area size – 5m x 10m
- Number of players – 12
- Footballs – 4
- Cones – 24
- Orange – 16
- Blue – 8
- Time – 10 minutes
Description
12 players should divide themselves into four groups (three players in each group). Two players in each group should split themselves across the two end lines, whilst the third player should be standing on the middle line.
The two players on the end lines aim is to move the ball from one side to the other. the player in the middle is acting as an obstruction and is trying to prevent the ball being played from one side to the other. The two players on the end line are allowed as many touches as they want.. All three players are allowed to move the entire way across their line. Each time the ball goes from one end to the other that is a point for the defender. The defender who accumulates the least amount of points is the winner.
Look to go through this drill around three times with the defender working for 45 seconds each time. Incorporate dynamic stretching each time that all three players have had the opportunity to be the defender.
Coaching Points
- Ensure the players have good quality of passing throughout.
- Make sure the players have a good first touch when receiving the ball.
- Encourage the players to create space to receive the ball.
Increasing the level of difficulty:
- Increase the size of the area.
- Reduce the width of the pitch.
- Add multiple defenders.
Decreasing the level of difficulty:
- Reduce the size of the area.
- Increase the width of the gate.
Technical Drill
A technical drill designed to develop the player’s ability to combine to create a goal scoring opportunity.
Set Up
- Area size – 37m x 27m
- Section size – 17m x 27m
- Number of players – 12
- Footballs – 8
- Cones – 10
- Orange – 2
- White – 8
- Goals – 2
- Time – 10 minutes
Description
12 players should divide themselves into two groups (six players in each group) and each group should be assigned their own section. One player from each group will stand on the cone that is approx. 12m from the goal. The other four players should stand in the middle zone with a ball. One player from each group should volunteer themselves to be a goalkeeper, unless there is a genuine goalkeeper within the group.
One of the players in the middle zone will play the ball forward to the player on the cone who will set the ball back to the player in the middle. The player in the middle then decides from the setback whether they play the ball to the left or the right of the player on the cone. The player on the cone will turn and run onto the moving ball to take a shot at the goal. The player in the middle who has played the ball then takes the position of the player who has just taken the shot. The drill will then repeat.
Look to run this drill this continuously for 10 minutes. If the player in goal is not a genuine goalkeeper, look to rotate them every so often.
Coaching Points
- Make sure the players have a good first touch when receiving the ball.
- Ensure the players have good quality of passing throughout.
- Ensure the players are aiming for the corners of the goal when shooting.
Increasing the level of difficulty:
- Add a defender against the player in the middle.
- Add multiple combinations.
Decreasing the level of difficulty:
- Move the middle cone closer to the goal.
Skill drill
A skill drill designed to improve the player’s ability to combine to create goal scoring opportunities in a 2 vs. 2.
Set Up
- Area size – 10m x 20m
- Number of players – 12
- Footballs – 1
- Bibs – 8
- Orange – 2
- Yellow – 2
- Blue – 2
- Red – 2
- Goals – 2
- Time – 20 minutes
Description
12 players should divide themselves into six pairs. Two pairs should be inside the area competing against one another. The rest of the players not involved in the 2 vs. 2 will act as spare players on the outside. A pair should volunteer themselves to be the goalkeepers, unless there is genuine goalkeeper within the group.
The two pairs inside the area will compete against one another trying to score in the opposition’s goal. When either of the two pairs score, the winners stay on and the losing pair have to rotate with another pair on the outside. Normal match conditions apply and the spare players on the outside are only allowed two touches. The pair who accumulates the longest winning streak are declared the winners.
Look to split this drill into x2 10 minute halves and alternate the pairs during half time. If the players in goal are not genuine goalkeepers, look to rotate them every so often.
Coaching Points
- Encourage the players to take advantage of the overload.
- Ensure the players are aiming for the corners of the goal when shooting.
- Encourage the players to find space to receive the ball.
Increasing the level of difficulty:
- Limit the amount of touches.
- Add a condition in which the players have to complete a specific amount of passes before they can shoot.
Decreasing the level of difficulty:
- Allow more touches for the spare players.
- Allow a spare player to play in the area and play for the team in possession.
Game-related practice
A game-related practice designed to encourage the players to combine to create goal scoring opportunities.
Set Up
- Area size – 37m x 27m
- Number of players – 12
- Footballs – 1
- Bibs – 6
- Goals – 2
- Time – 20 minutes
Description
12 players should divide themselves into two teams (six players on each team). One player from each team should volunteer themselves to be the goalkeeper, unless there is genuine goalkeeper within the group.
The game-related practice is normal match conditions. Before a team is able to shoot and finish they must make at least five passes within their team. Players are able to score and make the passes from anywhere on the pitch.
Look to split the game into x2 10 minute halves. Alternate teams if the game is not competitive. If the player in goal is not a genuine goalkeeper, look to rotate them every so often.
Coaching Points
- Encourage players to move and create space in and out of possession.
- Ensure the players are aiming for the corners of the goal when shooting.
- Encourage the players to be confident when taking a shot at goal.
Increasing the level of difficulty:
- Reduce the size of the area.
- Restrict the amount of touches players are allowed.
- Increase the amount of passes a team needs to score.
Decreasing the level of difficulty:
- Increase the size of the area.
- Split the two teams into three teams and have a spare team on the outside creating an overload for the team in possession.
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