U13 Practice #4 shooting

***Please note the photo schedule and your upcoming date for this and remind your players
**Please remind your players of Super Soccer Saturday coming up on May 23 (they must register)
*Girls coaches it is dance recital week, so you will be missing players all week, if your team is too depleted to run a practice join forces with another team.  There are no formal games for girls this week due to dance recital but there are mixed games-please run according to numbers (small goal scrimmages).

Focus skill:  shooting
Feel free to include your favourite shooting activity.
By the end of the session we hope the players have a good understanding of the mechanics of shooting a moving ball and have had many opportunities to practice the skill.

Coaching points:
-planting foot pointing at the target
-planting foot next to ball
-striking ball with laces,
- toe pointed down ankle locked
-knee over ball (of striking foot)
-shoulder over the ball (head down as striking)
-quick snap and follow through
- best to strike a moving  ball

a long winded explanation if you need it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUvGgalWhMA

Warm up:
Play donkey tails.  Half players tuck pinnies into their shorts as tails, the other half try to get their pinnies.  If you get a pinnie tuck it into your shorts and keep playing.

Juggling

Pairs, underhand passes to partner who pops it back with the laces.  Jump over a cone between feeds.

GAME:  play with two goals at each end to encourage attacking and shooting.

Technical Session:  Shooting

Start by introducing the skill and how it should be done.  Break into pairs and have them practice kicking the ball (moving ball) to each other through cone goals.  Or take them to work on this against the fence.  Coach the coaching points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac8r9XlSWo0

Move to shooting on goals with no defender:  simple lay off drills  (this video has a number of variations, but even if you just use the first version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_MiI-gKdW0

http://www.teachpe.com/soccer_football/shooting/shooting1.php

or 5 shot drill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q2zd2P8-CA

Lightning:  Coach passes ball to player positioned about 10 meters from net.

Player takes one touch of ball then shoots to score on net. Player must shoot before the penalty area or area designated by coach. The player then goes in net. Keep players moving by having them quickly receive and shoot ball then become goalkeeper. 

Progression: if you get scored on you go behind net. If you catch a ball that goes over the net you get to come back into the game. If someone hits the crossbar then everyone behind net can join in game again. Kids love this game. Be careful it does not cut into game time. 

Focus on players properly kicking a moving ball. 

Four corners shooting drill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuz6JGaEYtY&feature=related

A good activity to work on accurate passing and shooting.

Keep players moving. You will want to introduce a second ball as last player is taking a shot.

Shooting under pressure drills:

Big Shot (4v1)

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/DrillDisplay.php?Dname=42&CName=U-12%20Curriculum

2v2+1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glk2zL5hvNY

Numbers Game:Set up a small grid with goal at one end/use penalty area.  Separate players into 2 teams lined up on each side of goal.  Place two cones just a bit further than shooting distance even with corners of goal, and place yourself between with a stash of balls.  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. That numbered player on each team must race around the cones into the field where a ball is played. Players are trying to both defend and score on the same net. Encourage celebrations after a goal! Progress to 2 or 3 players. Add a goalkeeper

GAME, GAME, GAME, PLAY FOR AT LEAST 10-15 MINUTES!

Photo Schedule

2015 RYSA PHOTO SCHEDULE

TIMES	Tues May 19	Weds May 20	Thurs May 21	Tues  May 26	Weds May 27	Thurs May 28	Weds June 3
4pm-4:45pm		U4/5 Teams 1-7 Bronco Field			U4/5 Teams 8-14 Bronco Field		*Alternate Date for U4/5. Will be booked if teams haven’t finished shooting*
5pm-6pm	U8 BOYS All Teams Track Field	U6 All Teams Bronco Field	U8 GIRLS All Teams Bronco Field		U6 Retakes And missed teams Bronco Field	U13 GIRLS All Teams Grandstand
6:15-7:15pm	U13 BOYS All Teams Grandstand			U10 BOYS All Teams Track Field		U10 GIRLS All Teams Bronco Field

I have done my best to schedule your child's photos on a date that a game is not scheduled. Please make sure your child attends practice on this day with their full uniform supplied by RYSA for photo day. If your child is away the day that his or her team is scheduled to have their photos taken, please refer to this schedule to have your child's photo taken on another date. The photographer will be found at the field locations highlighted in red and would be more than happy to photograph your child. Please be aware that individual retakes are possible, however your child will not be in the original team photo.

Additional copies of your child's photo may be arranged and purchased through Sarah Mickel.

Tel 250.837.5524 or email smickel@telus.net

Rescheduling of the listed dates will only happen if there is severe weather.

www.sarahmickelphotography.com

U4/5 Practice #2 May 6/15

Great job last week coaches!  I really liked how everyone arrived early and was set-up and ready to roll by the 4:00 start :)

Meet at the same spot you were at last week.  Each team gets one pop-up net.  These will be dropped off in the middle of the field, two per bag.

Don't  forget to get those parents involved...we don't want them getting too comfortable!

Please note that next week (May 13) is Wacky Wednesday and we will do Stations (more on this next week).
 Dress up in your favourite costume.  Theme:  anything goes from princesses to superheroes to animals... or some kind of mix - it's Wacky Wednesday!


Focus skill - PASSING
Skill Points - non kicking/planting foot next to ball
                    -non kicking/planting foot pointing at target
                    -strike ball with side of foot with ankle locked


1. WARM UP - Pirate Ship 
Grid is a Pirate Ship, so talk like a pirate and get them excited.
You are the captain, here are the commands for calls/skills.  Introduce them 2 at a time and have the players perform them a couple of times, and then introduce 2 more.

"Captain's coming!" = players stop dribbling and put their foot on the ball and salute you

"Scrub the decks!" = players roll the ball backwards and forwards using the bottom of their foot; use both feet!

"Climb the rigging!" = players perform toe taps on the ball and pretend to climb with the hands

"Man overboard!" = players dribble to the edge of the ship (grid), place their foot on the ball and their hand on their forehead as if they are looking for somebody; they can then continue dribbling when you tell them to go again

"Fire the cannon!" = players dribble to the edge and kick their ball as far as they can; once all the balls have been kicked, the players can retrieve their soccer ball and carry on dribbling.

"Seagulls are coming" = you pretend to be a seagull who wants to eat their soccer ball; the kids on hearing this command will drop to the ground quickly and protect their ball with their body and hands. You should run around the ship with your arms out like a bird until you tell them to carry on dribbling

http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/soccer-skills.html


2. Nuts and Squirrels 
In your grid, create 3 small goals or "hoarding areas/trees" in the corners of the grid.
Place all of the soccer balls (nuts) in the middle of the grid.
Players are the "squirrels" in groups of two or three, and start in the hoarding area.
Taking turns, players are trying to get as many "nuts" as they can from the centre of the grid when you shout "Go!"
When there are no balls left in the middle, coach yells "steal" or (something else appropriate) and then they may try and steal nuts from the other hoarding areas.  No defending the nuts!
Start with having the players carry the ball back to their hoarding area.  After they understand the game, progress to dribbling the ball back and then passing the ball to the waiting player.
(This can be found in the resources from the Active Start coaching course, Week #1)


 3. Dribble Through The Jungle / Knock the Jungle Down
Give your players a water break so you have a moment to set this game up.
I will bring extra cones to the field, so make sure you grab some for this drill.
Place cones within the grid for players to dribble around.
Players must dribble through the jungle without touching the "poisonous jungle plants".
You can become a lion, tiger, elephant, etc, and chase them through the jungle.
After you have been through it a couple of times, switch to "clearing" the jungle by knocking the cones over with a soccer ball.  Demonstrate passing points while introducing this.

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/WebPageDisplay.php?wpname=Jungle%20Run


4. Clean Your Messy Room
Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and make 2 teams.
Each team starts with same amount of soccer balls.
When you say "Go!" players must try to keep the balls (laundry? toys?) out of their "room" by kicking them into the other team's half.
When coach say "Stop!" players freeze and count up the balls to see who wins (least amount of balls/laundry/toys in grid wins).
Play again!

http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/backyard-soccer.html



5. Pirate Pete
Gather the parents for this one. Divide the players (with their parent) into two teams. Put one team in pinnies.
Player and parent will be partners who pass to each other in a line to create a "channel".
One team has to run through the channel to get to the treasure (balls and cones).
The other team kicks/passes across the channel to their parent, trying to hit the other team with the ball below the knee as they run through.
If players get struck by the ball they have to go back and try again.
When players get to the treasure they bring a piece back to their ship (they can carry or dribble the ball depending on their level).
Players change roles after a set time. Count the pieces of treasure that each team collects.
To make it easier, players can roll the ball rather than kick it.
To make it harder, players can dribble both ways with the ball.
(This can be found in the resources from the Active Start coaching course, Week #4)

6. Soccer Bowling
Exactly like it suggests, and the video makes it self explanatory!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGyrJGmJNk&feature=relmfu



When the horn blows at 4:30, it is time to move for a GAME!  
Teams listed first on the schedule will stay in their spot, teams listed second will move to where the other team is.   Bring your pop-up net with you when you go.
Please note that some of the uniforms that were handed out do not match the colours on the schedule; this will be corrected for the following week.
Play 3 v 3, without goalies.  Or, use parents to act as goalies.
Don't forget the team cheer at the end!

And, I just have to say it, HAVE FUN!!!

U6 Practice #2 May 6/15

Great job last week coaches!  It was nice to see everyone at the field early and ready to roll on time :)  

Please note that next week (May 13) is Wacky Wednesday and we will do stations (more on this next week).
Dress up in your favourite costume.  Theme:  anything goes from princesses to superheroes to animals... or some kind of mix - it's Wacky Wednesday!


Focus skill - PASSING
Skill Points - non kicking foot next to the ball
                   - strike ball with side of foot, firm ankle, heel pointed down
                   - follow through to target


1. WARM UP - Donkey Tails
Half the players are given a pinny to tuck into the back of their shorts as a tail.
Coach shouts “Go!” and players without a tail attempt to grab a tail from the players with one.
Once players get a tail they must now avoid having it taken.

2. Topple me Coconuts:
(See Active Start coach resources Week #2)
Outline your grid with tall cones and place balls on top like coconuts.  (There will be extra balls and cones for you to use in the wagons for this game)
Split players into 2 teams and have them line-up on opposite sides of the grid.
Players alternate making passes/shots to try and knock the ball off of a cone.
If a player is successful they can go and retrieve both balls and bring them back to their side. Encourage celebrations!
Or Circle Game (in byte sized coaching binder)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S48DgGpmq-o


3. Soccer Bowling:
The name is as it suggests and the video makes it self-explanatory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGyrJGmJNk&feature=relmfu


4. Pac Man (also known as Kick the Coach; kids LOVE this game!)
All players have a ball and are dribbling in the grid and trying to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).
Work on good passing technique.  You may have to create a zone for you that the kids can't enter (small square in middle of grid and then move to no square and everyone moving).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9AJNANVrRA
This video demos passing technique with cues.


5. Clean Your Room.
Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and make 2 teams.
Each team starts with same amount of soccer balls.
When you say "Go!" players must try to keep the balls (laundry? toys?) out of their "room" by kicking them into the other team's half.
When coach say "Stop!" players freeze and count up the balls to see who wins (least amount of balls/laundry/toys in grid wins).
Play again!

http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/backyard-soccer.html


6. Chain Soccer
Focus – Small sided Game
Set up a small grid, depending on number of players.  Use parents to partner with their child.
Separate players/parents into 2 teams and place on opposite side of the grid.
Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. That numbered player/parent combo from each team enters into the field to challenge for the ball. Players try to score on opposing side while defending their own side. Parents and players not called can act as goalies on their side.
To make it harder: play without parents; ask children to link arms and work together to stop goals; increase the # of players called into the grid to 2 or 3 at a time.
(see Active Start coach resources Week #1)


When the horn blows at 5:40, it is GAME TIME!
This age group plays 3 v 3 on the field, plus the goalie.  Make sure you are switching players and positions often.  I did mess up the numbering on the field last week, but it will be corrected this week to make things easier.
Don't forget the cheer at the end!  


AND... make sure you are having FUN !!!

U8 practice #3

Please don't move onto practice #3 until you have completed practice #2!


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
- cushion ball with receiving part of body (foot, thigh ...)

Warm Up:

5 min Chasing Ball: Each player with a ball. Players give ball to coach who throws them out into field. Players retrieve ball, dribble it back to coach who will then throw ball out again. See video. Fun activity. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30GQjk8wBCY

or introduce juggling, can encourage a bounce in between to start

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvxidQzthEI

OBSTACLE course!!

Game: 5-10 min

Focus on ball control.

4 vs 4 game. Same as last week, to score team must pass and receive ball over end line. No nets for this activity. I saw some great passing and ball control last week by teams. Keep it up!

Technical session:  Receiving and BAll control
***Demo, demo, demo what it should look like.

Start Basic:  two touch passing through cones or gates.

If you make two gates next to each other, then they can work on receiving through one gate and then passing it through the other.  Receive with one foot, pass with the other.

or even more basic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqy-7mbft-M

Inside/outside Drill

4 players on outside with balls, 4 on inside without balls.  Inside players are cutting to players on outside to receive a pass and then pass it back.  (try to encourage receive with one foot, pass with the other, and a nice playable touch).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNthHFTiP_I

Move to passing and receiving under pressure.

start with a basic 5 v 1 drill (Karl's keep away)

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/DrillDisplay.php?Dname=10&CName=U-8%20Curriculum

Corner passes: 20 X 20 grid. One feeder on each corner of grid with ball. Two players in middle. One player will try to receive ball from corner players and then pass back while other player will be defending against this player. To start you may want to have defensive player only try 50% to give offensive player success to start. See video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi9J2uRirZc

GAME, just a good old scrimmage!

U10 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:  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!

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.  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:  Ball control/Receiving

Start Basic:  two touch passing through cones or gates.
If you make two gates next to each other, then they can work on receiving through one gate and then passing it through the other.  Receive with one foot, pass with the other.
or even more basic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqy-7mbft-M

Circle passing/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.

Basic Figure 8 continuous passing drill
Groups of 3.
Outside people each have a ball.  Middle person is running figure 8 around outside people and as they come into the middle they call to receive pass from player they are facing (two touch, move to one touch back to that player, then run around them (or cone incase it's a bad pass) and do same on other side.  Switch after 10 passes.

Basic 4 v 1 continuous.
As in video except use four players so they have more options for passes.  Focus on ball control and good first touch.  Know where you're going to pass before you receive the ball.  Must use two touch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXlj9xpB7c0

Four corners 1v1
15x15 area grid...4 corners/cones, one player on each (two have balls).  In middle of square 1v1, one on O and one on D.  O player tries to shed D receive pass and make a pass to open player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHcYyw01aZI

Tennis!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGnEQ9yxqKA&feature=player_embedded

GAME! Scrimmage for at least 10 minutes...this is what they come for!!

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!!!