Academy 3
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.
Put your group of players into pairs, try and match players up with a partner of a similar ability level. One of the partners will start with ball in one of the end-zones their partner will start in the other end-zone. The objective of the activity is for the player with the ball to dribble their ball past their partner and get the ball into the end-zone under control (foot on the ball). If the partner who does not have the ball steals the ball they must try and get the ball into the opposite end-zone.
Every time one of the players gets the ball into the end-zone under control the players switch possession and the activity continues. If the players kicks the ball through the end-zone and does not have control of the ball their partner gets the ball.
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Start with two defenders in the middle of the playing area and the rest of your players on the outside of the area. The two defenders in the middle must dribble around and try and block the passes that the players on the outside of the grid are making. Select 2 or 3 dribbling defenders and play for rounds of 3 minutes switching the players who are the defenders every round so everyone gets a chance to play both roles in the game.
Finish up your sessions with two 3v3 games. Make your 4 teams balanced and have them all play each other once rotation the teams every 5 minutes. You should be coaching the players on:
Don’t Kick The Ball Away When It Comes To You – Tell players they must take at least 2 touches or more every time they get the ball
Encourage Players To Get Away From Their Team Mates when they have the ball let them have space to play. Find your own space