Dillsburg Polar Club Academy
Session
Dillsburg Polar Club Academy
1
Objectives:
Develop and use basic soccer vocabulary to describe the various parts of the soccer field Develop and use proper soccer technique to dribble across the field in a straight line Develop and practice essential social skills to speak to teammates and coaches
HINTS:
Be warm, welcoming, and keep your energy high. Review your session plan ahead of time and keep it with you during practice for easy reference. Wear a watch to closely monitor your time. Many of your players will be completely new to soccer. Use your warm-ups purposefully to get your players’ bodies ready for activity. Activity 1- SIMON SAYS
Duration: 10 MIN
Hold a quick team meeting to introduce yourself and tell players the focus tonight will be on dribbling. Then have each player tell something about themselves. (e.g. name, school, what they had for dinner, etc.) Warmups: Take a quick tour of the field introducing the different parts of the field. Keep it simple and fun. Introduce the game. “Coach says… jog to find the goal box!” “Coach says… sprint to find a sideline!” etc.
COACHING DEMONSTRATION Have players line up at well spaced cones on one of the sidelines and show players how to dribble the ball. Coaching points should include: using the laces, keeping the ball close, and keeping your head up. Begin by having players dribble-walk or dribble slowly from one sideline to another. Offer praise and reinforce the good habits you are observing. Activity 2- RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT
Duration: 8 MIN
Have players line up on one of the sidelines once again. (Be sure there is enough space between players; Usually an arm length on both sides is enough.) Demonstrate how to stop the ball, get control, and place the dominant foot on top of the ball. Introduce the game. Coach calls out, “GREEN LIGHT!” and players dribble across the field. Coach calls out, “RED LIGHT!” and players get control of the ball and put their foot on top of the ball. Repeat a time or two. Continue to offer praise and celebrate good dribbling skills. Activity 3- DRIBBLE TO A FRIEND
Duration: 8 MIN
Divide the team into two even groups. One line of cones is laid out in the middle of the field. Partners dribble out to meet at the cone. The first partner to reach the cone waits with their foot on top of the ball until their teammate arrives. When both partners are present, players should greet their partner using their teammate’s name or they may exchange a high five. Both teammates turn and dribble back to the sideline. Repeat a time or two. Consider exchanging partners so players are greeting many teammates. REPEAT COACHING DEMONSTRATION Use this to check for players’ understanding, to measure growth and to target players who may need additional help. Activity 4- SMALL SIDED GAME 4 v 4
(Keep the focus on tonight’s objectives!)
Duration: 20 MIN
End practice with a short team meeting to review the session objectives and highlight the good things seen and observed.
Dillsburg Polar Club Academy
1
Objectives:
Develop and use basic soccer vocabulary to describe the various parts of the soccer field Develop and use proper soccer technique to dribble across the field in a straight line Develop and practice essential social skills to speak to teammates and coaches
HINTS:
Be warm, welcoming, and keep your energy high. Review your session plan ahead of time and keep it with you during practice for easy reference. Wear a watch to closely monitor your time. Many of your players will be completely new to soccer. Use your warm-ups purposefully to get your players’ bodies ready for activity. Activity 1- SIMON SAYS
Duration: 10 MIN
Hold a quick team meeting to introduce yourself and tell players the focus tonight will be on dribbling. Then have each player tell something about themselves. (e.g. name, school, what they had for dinner, etc.) Warmups: Take a quick tour of the field introducing the different parts of the field. Keep it simple and fun. Introduce the game. “Coach says… jog to find the goal box!” “Coach says… sprint to find a sideline!” etc.
COACHING DEMONSTRATION Have players line up at well spaced cones on one of the sidelines and show players how to dribble the ball. Coaching points should include: using the laces, keeping the ball close, and keeping your head up. Begin by having players dribble-walk or dribble slowly from one sideline to another. Offer praise and reinforce the good habits you are observing. Activity 2- RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT
Duration: 8 MIN
Have players line up on one of the sidelines once again. (Be sure there is enough space between players; Usually an arm length on both sides is enough.) Demonstrate how to stop the ball, get control, and place the dominant foot on top of the ball. Introduce the game. Coach calls out, “GREEN LIGHT!” and players dribble across the field. Coach calls out, “RED LIGHT!” and players get control of the ball and put their foot on top of the ball. Repeat a time or two. Continue to offer praise and celebrate good dribbling skills. Activity 3- DRIBBLE TO A FRIEND
Duration: 8 MIN
Divide the team into two even groups. One line of cones is laid out in the middle of the field. Partners dribble out to meet at the cone. The first partner to reach the cone waits with their foot on top of the ball until their teammate arrives. When both partners are present, players should greet their partner using their teammate’s name or they may exchange a high five. Both teammates turn and dribble back to the sideline. Repeat a time or two. Consider exchanging partners so players are greeting many teammates. REPEAT COACHING DEMONSTRATION Use this to check for players’ understanding, to measure growth and to target players who may need additional help. Activity 4- SMALL SIDED GAME 4 v 4
(Keep the focus on tonight’s objectives!)
Duration: 20 MIN
End practice with a short team meeting to review the session objectives and highlight the good things seen and observed.
