U13 Practice #3

Theme:  ball control

-be in ready/athletic position, balls of feet
-get in line with the flight of the ball
-early selection of playing surface
-make first touch playable, not too far ahead

**when working on passing and control off a pass on the ground, work on receiving with one foot and passing with the other**
(-receive with side of the foot, firm ankle; thigh, cushion; chest, collapse chest etc...)

Warm up:  
20 x 20 grid
Two players with one ball. The player with the ball knocks it into the air. The other player receives it and passes it immediately back to the first player who dribbles to the nearest line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P3Y8OEivL4
**if they are struggling with service from feet just an underhand service will do.
AND
Agility:  We will have different agility equipment in the wagon or create something with cones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppXO7_5OjYA
Ladder ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t26CIBKRKWE&feature=related
add on a pass at the end of the agility section...where you pass them a ball and then they receive and return to you.

Game:
Three touch soccer.  So you have 3 touches to move the ball. (two touches to receive and control and then it must be played or it's the other teams ball).  Focus on good first touch and knowing where you are going to play the ball before it gets to you.

Technical Session:  Receiving/ball control

Start basic.  Back to the gates, passing in pairs, one touch to control, then pass.  Trying to receive with one foot and pass with the other foot.

Advanced but get them to give it a try:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Awmzu-ss4&feature=related

Move to:  Passing Grid (have many cones around each side of the grid)
Working in pairs, pass and move....after you pass the ball turn and run around any cone on the outside then change of pace to cut and receive a pass from partner, keeping the ball under close control and having good first touch.  Lots of talk!

Circle receiving drill
Half players on outside (of circle) with balls, half on inside of circle no balls.  OR if not enough to do this, have half of players put on pinnies and scatter around grid as servers.  Players on inside make cuts to ball, receive a pass, control the pass and in two touches pass back to outside player, then cut and call for a new ball.  Switch inside to outside and do same (or servers and non servers).  Switch again, try one touch passing.  Switch once more, working on higher balls, thigh height (have players toss ball) work on control (getting foot up to control ball not off leg) and then bring it down and pass back to outside

Passing Patterns and good first touch....4 on 0 which then moves to 4 on 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzPN1Bqv47Y  (4 on 0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm2q3ywhNEs   (4 on 1)

GAME, GAME, GAME!
Don't forget to play just a good old scrimmage at the end for at least 10 minutes.  And it's okay if your practice goes over!!!  If they are having fun, no one will care and it's more touches on the ball!!!