Academy 1
Session 2
If you have a small number of players, such as 2-4, start with very small-sided games like 1v1 or 2v2 and add players to each of the teams as they arrive at your session. If you have more players, divide them into multiple small teams ensuring as much balance as possible in terms of skills and physical attributes. Once the majority of players have arrived make trades and switch players if you need to in order to make the teams more balanced or to get like with like.
This segment aims to enhance physical literacy by focusing on speed, agility, and strength, setting a high-energy tone for the session. The activities are designed to improve players’ movement skills, cardiovascular fitness, and readiness for more complex soccer drills. This segment also serves as a dynamic warm-up, reducing the risk of injuries and ensuring players are mentally and physically prepared for the session. Coaches are encouraged to be creative within these guidelines, tailoring activities to suit the age and skill level of their players. The key is to keep every player moving and engaged throughout the entire segment.
Speed Drills: Short, intense sprints or shuttle runs to boost acceleration and speed.
Agility Work: Obstacle courses or cone drills requiring quick changes of direction, enhancing footwork and coordination.
Strength Exercises: Basic bodyweight movements like jump squats, planks, or burpees to build core and muscular strength.
Ball Skills (for advanced players): Fast-paced dribbling courses or quick passing games, integrating technical skills with physical conditioning.
How to Play:
The team in possession of the ball, either blue or green, aims to keep the ball away from the opposing team. The neutral corner players are part of the team that has the ball at any given time.
The team in possession must successfully pass the ball to each of the four neutral players without losing possession to the other team. Once a pass is completed to a neutral player, that player passes the ball back to the possessing team, who then looks to pass to another neutral player in a different corner. The opposing team attempts to intercept the ball and, upon gaining possession, becomes the team trying to pass to the neutral players.
Rules:
The play continues with the teams trying to maintain possession and successfully pass to all four neutral players. If the defensive team intercepts the ball, they immediately become the offensive team and try to pass the ball to the neutral players in the corners. The neutral players are only allowed to play with the team currently in possession.
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Divide your playing field into three horizontal thirds—green, red, and blue. The green team starts in the green third and must complete five passes while a blue defender tries to intercept. Once five passes are made, the team moves into the red middle third to repeat the passing sequence. If the defender intercepts, the green team restarts in the green third. The objective is to reach the blue third with continuous successful passes in the preceding sections, fostering the green team’s skills in maintaining possession and transitioning through zones under defensive pressure.
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Finish your session with Winner Stay On games.