U8 Practice #7

Moving onto attacking this week!  (If you have done defending.)  Please feel free to use any of the defending drills you used last week during attacking, just ensure you are coaching attacking.


Theme:  Attacking

-attack with speed
-have good first touch
-keep ball close
-attack weak side if you know it
-try and catch them flat footed
-exploit them if too close


Warm Up: 
1.  Donkey Tails
2.  Dribble grid.  Players spread out in 15X15 grid. Dribbling, toe taps/storks, fancy moves & fakes, tic-tocs, turns etc....
Play a game of shark. Mark each corner with different colored cones. Players dribbling in grid, coaches or players tries to win ball from fish. 20 toe touches or storks if shark attack is successful. To give players an opportunity to work on their offensive skills, when coach yells a specific color players must dribble to that colored corner trying to get past sharks.  Incorporate dynamic stretches within activity as needed (once everyone is in the blue lagoon corner do 20 high knees ..)  Maybe show them a few fancy moves or how to do a fake.
(I'll have some additional coloured cones in the wagon)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SreaiiTlFSM
(lots of ideas in the video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv22l8YnIFI

3.  Agility if you like.

Game:  put two arches at each end for goals.  Play no goalies and coach attacking.

Technical Session on Attacking:
(choose 2-3 drills to work on attacking)

Turn and Burn
Turn and Burn- dribbling with speed
Divide players into two teams – put them in different colored pinnis One team starts on one end of the grid with a ball each. Objective is for players with the ball to dribble towards the players without, who remain stationary. The coach shouts “Turn” and the players with the ball stop, turn and try to dribble back to their starting line. When the players without the ball here the coach shout “Turn” he players without the ball can release and try and steal the balls of the apposing team before they get back over the safe line. Take turns having both teams being attackers/defenders. Do not eliminate players who lose their ball. Let them have another go.
Variations: Introduce specific turns: big toe turn, little toe turn, pull back, etc.


1v1 attack
Grid, lots of small goals, partners, 1v1 trying to dribble through the goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSBu9bPMp4g&feature=relmfu

1v1 attack with shots on goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReG0gT1qMo

Win ball drill
Two lines, one on either side of the coach a fair distance from the goal.  Coach in middle of two lines with all the balls.  Have front players lie down or face backwards etc....say go and send a ball out and they must win the ball and shoot on net.  Rotate a goalie in.

Move to a 2v1 drill like this or a version of your own.
http://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/Article-899-281-Soccer-Drills--Skills-U8-soccer-drills-Soccer-attack-drill-using-2v1#

2v2-this is a more fluid drill with lots of game like situations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU4M_D1-Okg

1v1 numbers game (can use goals or just a line that needs to be dribbled over in order to score.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHz6UCcQano
can move to calling out more players and then all the players and this just turns into your game at the end.

Game.

U10 Practice #7

Moving onto attacking this week!  (If you have done defending.)  Please feel free to use any of the defending drills you used last week during attacking, just ensure you are coaching attacking.

Theme:  Attacking

-attack with speed

-have good first touch

-keep ball close

-attack weak side if you know it

-try and catch them flat footed

-exploit them if too close

Warm Up: 

1.  Donkey Tails

2.  Dribble grid.  Players spread out in 15X15 grid. Dribbling, toe taps/storks, fancy moves & fakes, tic-tocs, turns etc....

Play a game of shark. Mark each corner with different colored cones. Players dribbling in grid, coaches or players tries to win ball from fish. 20 toe touches or storks if shark attack is successful. To give players an opportunity to work on their offensive skills, when coach yells a specific color players must dribble to that colored corner trying to get past sharks.  Incorporate dynamic stretches within activity as needed (once everyone is in the blue lagoon corner do 20 high knees ..)  Maybe show them a few fancy moves or how to do a fake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bfU8QHo66w

3. Do some agility if you feel like you have not done any of late.

Game:  Play small sided scrimmage but coach attacking.  We're also going to work on the attacking principal of width and play alley soccer.

Create two alleys on either side of your field

Working on width.  Can not check the allies or go in the allies, only ally players can be in the alley.  If you are short on numbers have one person play in the ally and play to whomever passed them the ball or have a coach in one alley doing this and then two players in the other alley.  In order to try and score the team must complete one pass to the alley

Grid 1v1 attack drill.

Grid, many small goals, attackers in pinnies. Play 1v1 with attackers trying to score on as many small goals as they can in a minute.  If defender wins ball, they get a point.  Change attackers to defender, change partners etc...

1v1 Kings court activity

partners

create enough small grids (all side by side) for each pairing

in grid play 1v1 for a time limit (2 minutes?), with the defender passing to the attacker and attacker trying to score by stopping ball on defenders line.  Have them keep score.  Choose one end to be the kings court (have person that won stay put in this grid) and on the opposite end of your line of grids have the looser stay put.  Have all others move according to if they have won or lost winners move one grid up towards kings court and all losers move down towards the looser (for lack of better word) court.

1v1 attack on goal, moving to 2v1 attack on goal

Have defending line next to goal with balls, they pass out to attacking line and then it's 1v1 with attackers trying to score on goal.  Call dead if defender successfully wins the ball.  Or try the format in the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7eidEYh1uBs

Move to a second attacking line and then it's 2v1 or try this version of 2v1

http://www.bettersoccercoaching.com/Article-899-281-Soccer-Drills--Skills-U8-soccer-drills-Soccer-attack-drill-using-2v1#

or 2v2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk4dbgz6Bdk

Attacking Attack - players like this activity.

Divide team into attackers and defenders. Match an attacker with a defender. Place all players in the 18 yard box. One coach is situated on each side of 18 yard box. They distribute balls into the box and attackers try to create an opportunity to score while the defenders try to get the ball out of 18. Distribute balls to different areas of 18 yard box. Key coaching points: attack the ball, look for shooting opportunities.

Games!

U13 Practice #7

Moving onto attacking this week!  (If you have done defending.)  Please feel free to use any of the defending drills you used last week during attacking, just ensure you are coaching attacking.

Attacking with ball:
-attack with speed
-keep ball close
-attack weak side if you know it
-try and catch defender flat footed
-exploit them if too close

Warm Up:
Dribbling Grid - 20 x 30 meter grid. Players dribbling in grid listening to coaches instructions - turn, accelerate, find space etc. Have them practice offensive moves when dribbling, when they approach another player have them do a move to get by them. Players may want to demonstrate some moves to team and then have players practice moves.

Game:
5 vs 5(or whatever you have) focus on players creating opportunities to attack the net. You may want to set up a pop up net and a few arches that they can score on to create more attacking opportunities.

Technical Team Activities:
Spend some time talking and demonstrating attacking skills. See key coaching points above.
Choose a few of the following activities. I would recommend that players practice at least one 1 vs 1 activity and one 2 vs 1 activity.  You may want to talk (and demo) about a wall pass.  Drawing the defender and Windows/holes.

1 vs 1  set up enough lanes so all players can be practicing attacking skills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9a0OkjQMyo

Progression to 2 vs 1.  
Defender passes to attackers who try to beat defender and dribble across line. You may  want to progress to 3 vs 2. If you have two coaches each coach could take one group each to work with.
or 3v1 (this is a great drill).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja37bvECImw
2 vs 2 activity. Can attacking players be creative enough to gain end line?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvRYM19SW2g

Attacking Attack - players like this activity.
Divide team into attackers and defenders. Match an attacker with a defender. Place all players in the 18 yard box. One coach is situated on each side of 18 yard box. They distribute balls into the box and attackers try to create an opportunity to score while the defenders try to get the ball out of 18. Distribute balls to different areas of 18 yard box. Key coaching points: attack the ball, look for shooting opportunities.

Gauntlet drill
If you did not have time to do this activity last week, you may want to try it this week. Kids love it! Have defenders move up in grid after each player goes through the gauntlet. The objective is to see if a player can beat all the defenders and shoot on goalie. Defenders are trying to stop attacker in each grid. Check it out. http://3v3soccer.blogspot.ca/2009/05/gauntlet-drill.html

Game
Focus on attacking  :)

COACH SOCIAL!!!

Hello Coaches!

You are all invited to the Village Idiot this Thursday, May 28th at 8:30 pm.  A little mid-season chance to catch up, talk soccer and relax a little.

Hope to see you all there :)

U4/5 Practice #5 May 27/15

Hello coaches!  Thanks to those coaches who helped out at Super Soccer Saturday, a good time had by all :)
We really appreciate your extra time spent to help on this day.

A gentle reminder to watch the time that you allot for each activity so that you can get to all of them.  The warm up should take less than 5 minutes, then spend 5-7 minutes on each of the other activities.

If your photos were not done last week, they will happen this week. 


FOCUS SKILL - Goal Tending
You know after all that telling the kids not to use their hands, now we are going to use them!!!  Preface it that one person on the pitch can use their hands... the goal keeper!

We always pair goal keeping with shooting so this will continue to be part of our theme as well, and we will replay some of last weeks games but with a little twist.


1. Warm up 
Play a game of donkey tails.  Half of the players have pinnies as "tails" tucked into their shorts, the other half try and get as many pinnies as possible or some variation of this.


2. Ready Position
You may want to have them play a Simon Says game where you introduce this skill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDq4HlsZMY


3. Bowling Technique / Scooping and Holding the Ball
Working with their parent, have players bowl ball to each other working on proper bowling, scooping and hugging the ball technique.  Maybe have them move to passing it back to player on their knees who then attempts to dive on the ball.  (If kids are granny bowling it that is totally fine and age appropriate).

Bowling technique (non granny style)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3iUxCFfE

Scooping and locking the box  (stress this part)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-WW5AkU5Q
-I like how the coach says to make a cage around the ball, maybe go back to "the soccer ball is your pet" analogy somehow here?

(Some of this may be above them, but they will get the idea and the videos are excellent so that you can demo the skills well!)


4. Soccer Bowling
Set up a ball on top of a disc cone, one for each pair.  Players are taking turns back and forth, trying to knock the ball of the cone as before, however this time they are bowling with hands not feet.  Appoint a parent or two to help place the balls back on top of the cone when it is knocked off.


5. Swamps and Crocs
I saw some teams playing this last week (and the kids played it on Saturday too, so I know that they are getting the hang of this now), but this time players are throwing the ball over the swamp to their parent, and the parent rolls it back.  At the end, player takes a shot on goal.  Have players take turns in goal to practice as well.  (See last weeks post for the specifics if you didn't get around to playing this)


6. Four Goal Shooting.
I made a mistake in last weeks post, it should have read "make four goals, ONE on each side of your grid".  Remember that you only get one pop up net, but you can use arches for extra goals, or create goals with tall cones.  This week, have players go in goal, and parents and kids not in goal try to score on them.   Switch up goalies so that everyone gets to shoot and everyone (who wants to) gets to go in goal. (Also see last week's post for more details)


Games, cheers & snacks!
(I have noticed that some of the games are starting to take the shape of "real" soccer out there, nice work coaches!)

U6 Practice #5 May 27/15

Practice #5


Hey coaches - you have all been doing a fantastic job coaching!  I'm really impressed with all your enthusiasm and getting the kids going and having a great time while learning some skills!

A big thank you to those coaches who helped out at Super Soccer Saturday, you made it a great time!


SKILL FOCUS - Goal Tending

Ready Position:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDq4HlsZMY

Bowling Technique - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3iUxCFfE

Scooping and "Locking the Box"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-WW5AkU5Q

Catching Grips - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDySzyVfUtY

Punting Technique - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MX34YKM5VM


1. Warm Up:  Soccer Tag
Players are dribbling around in your grid.  Player who is it holds their ball and runs with it, tagging players with the ball.  Once tagged, player is frozen with ball under their foot.  To be freed, another player must dribble up and pass their ball to hit the frozen players ball, or dribble up and tap their ball to the frozen player's ball.


2. Warm Up:  Part 2
Players in grid with a ball each. Have each player do a series of activities with ball such as bounce ball then catch, throw ball into air and catch, roll ball through another's legs and retrieve, kick ball into air and catch.
Introduce goaltending skills such as ones shown above. Players practice in partners. You may want to focus on only a couple such as ready position, locking the box and catching grips. Use your imagination to make it fun and effective.


3. Arches Game
A fun game where players get the idea of rolling and throwing the ball and picking it up (work on scooping up technique ensuring the legs aren't too far apart that ball can go through them).
In your grid, create 5-8 mini goals with arches or cones.  Players work in partners to see how many arches they can roll through and catch within a certain period of time. They must go to a different arch after each throw.  Players may not run with the ball.


4. Musical Balls / Coach says
Spread soccer balls around in your grid.  Coach calls out commands (running around grid, shuffle, etc...)  When coach says "Ready position!" all players show appropriate ready position.  When coach says "Ball!", all players jump/dive on a ball, last person on a ball gives their ball to coach or just play with all balls....or anyone who doesn't get a ball does 5 jumping jacks, toe taps, catches etc...  Throw in whatever fun commands you like.


5. Four Goal Shooting
Similar to last week (see that post for details if you didn't get to it), except have players go in goal, and parents and kids not in goal try to score.  Switch up goalies so everyone gets to shoot and everyone (who wants to) gets to go in goal.


6. Chain Soccer
Separate players/parents into 2 teams. 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.


Games, cheers, snacks!

U8 practice #6 Defending

Theme this week:  Defending

Defending coaching points
Defender's stance:
Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart (boxers stance)
- legs should be slightly bent
- stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.
-quick close down
-delay/give space - don't commit- jockey
-watch ball not player
-make the attacker make the mistake
Defender positioning:
- defender is goalside (closer to net than attacker)
- direct attacker into area where there is support

How to Block Tackle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtauRD5ipo

Warm Up -
Knees game - 15 x 15 meter grid. Players assume defender's stance in grid and move within grid trying to touch the knees of others. You can protect your knees by moving out of way and by blocking with your own hands. This game gives players practice moving like a defender. They should be shuffling not running.
Keep Away - 20 X 30 m grid. All players except for two are dribbling within a grid. Those without balls try to win ball from other players and then continue to dribble with grid. When coach stops play the two players without balls must do a challenge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RWJ6u8X4dY

Game
Two teams. Regular rules. Focus on good defending skills.

Technical Team Activities: Choose a few of the below drills.
Start by practicing the block tackle, as in video above, so they are not afraid to tackle.
Ensure you spend time demonstrating proper defending stance and positioning. Encourage good defending skills and correct when needed.
1 vs 1 defending. Players 15 apart. Defender passes ball to attacker who tries to beat defender and dribble to end line.
Progress to 2 vs 1 where defender is trying to prevent two attackers from getting to endline or to get a shot on net.

Shark...because they love it.  Could play knock out version with two grids, continuous, with one person as the shark, they need to know everyone's ball out of grid, when knocked out, they go into second grid, coach designates a shark for that grid.  Switch sharks when clearly tired.

Move to 2v2, as in Fundamentals course package (two goals, coach pass in, two players coming in from each end).  Coach first and second defender....first defender pressures and plays ball, second defender supports.  Work on close downs with appropriate distance so not easily beat.

Win ball Drill:  two lines facing coach, who plays 50/50 ball, try and win the ball and pass to target (goal or person), work on defending and second effort if beaten.

1v1 to numbers game:

Have two small goals on either end of a mini field.  Balls at centre on side of grid with coach, line up of players on either side of coach (two teams, one in pinnies), play a ball into middle of field, 1v1 until dead or score.  Can increase number of players going for ball to create different situations, 2v2, 3v3 etc...or numbers game:  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. Coach rolls out ball at center line and numbered player on each team must try to win ball and then either defend their goal or attack the other goal. Progress to calling out more than one number and encourage players on same team to work together to score. . Add a goalkeeper

Game:  Two teams, one ball, play the game!