Grand Junction Fire FC Rec Session Plan U9 Week 1
Grand Junction Fire FC Rec Session Plan U9 Week 1 March 19-23 Theme: Dribbling and Running with the Ball Aim: To improve the ability to use different surfaces of the feet to change pace when dribbling, and to improve control of the ball at higher speeds.
Warm up: dribble tag. Players split into pairs, each with their own ball, and find a square that is 3x3yds. One player becomes the tagged. Players must stay on the outside of the square. One players chases the other attempting to tag them, while both keep control of the ball. Play for 1 minute then switch the tagger. Progress by: when someone is tagged they become tagger, coach can shout ‘switch’ at any time to change the tagger, rotate taggers so everyone works in different pairs. Coaching points: close control of ball to enable quick changes of direction, eyes on partner as much as possible, potential fake movements to trick opponent. Technical work: split players into 4 groups, 2/3 in each. Place players 10/15yds away from a center cone. Players go one at a time from each line, dribble towards cone, then cut away from it and accelerate away, joining the line opposite. Start with basic shoulder drop, and cutting away with outside (last 3 toes) of foot and accelerating to line across. Progress by: incorporating some more complicated moves (step over, scissors), change direction of the cut to make sure both feet are being used equally, add in a semi passive defender instead of cone to chase attackers after the cut, making sure they’re accelerating properly. Coaching points: all above points, perform cut/move at a good distance from cone (not too close to be ‘tackled’, but not too far away so it’s ineffective) changes of pace before and after the cone. Game related: Area 40x25yds (15, 10 and 15ys for the length of sections). Fun game ‘Canada’. Split into uneven numbered teams (9v3, 7v3, 7v2 depending on numbers). The smaller number act as defenders in the middle of the 3 sections, remaining players split between 2 outside areas. Pass around in end area, and the run with the ball across the middle defended section to teammates on other side. Repeat. Switch defenders regularly. Progress by: maximum number of passes (3,4,5) as you want players to run with the ball across at the earliest opportunist, and for it to happen a lot, increase defender numbers (dependent on success), allow one or more defenders in end sections, include a time limit, increase/reduce size of 3 sections (dependent on success) Coaching points: all above points, eyes up for awareness of gaps between defenders in middle section, look to take first opportunity to drive through the middle (don’t pass when you have time and space in front of you), using correct part of foot for running with the ball (laces) Small sided game: 2v2, lots of opportunities to take defenders on, should also be space in behind to attack at pace. Encourage dribbling to beat the defender, even add an additional goal to the score if they beat a defender and then score.Progress by: putting a time limit on attacking teams to get them to play at a higher tempo and speed, increasing the number of players on the field. Coaching points: encourage players to be confident and take players on, eyes up too see defenders and space
Warm up: dribble tag. Players split into pairs, each with their own ball, and find a square that is 3x3yds. One player becomes the tagged. Players must stay on the outside of the square. One players chases the other attempting to tag them, while both keep control of the ball. Play for 1 minute then switch the tagger. Progress by: when someone is tagged they become tagger, coach can shout ‘switch’ at any time to change the tagger, rotate taggers so everyone works in different pairs. Coaching points: close control of ball to enable quick changes of direction, eyes on partner as much as possible, potential fake movements to trick opponent. Technical work: split players into 4 groups, 2/3 in each. Place players 10/15yds away from a center cone. Players go one at a time from each line, dribble towards cone, then cut away from it and accelerate away, joining the line opposite. Start with basic shoulder drop, and cutting away with outside (last 3 toes) of foot and accelerating to line across. Progress by: incorporating some more complicated moves (step over, scissors), change direction of the cut to make sure both feet are being used equally, add in a semi passive defender instead of cone to chase attackers after the cut, making sure they’re accelerating properly. Coaching points: all above points, perform cut/move at a good distance from cone (not too close to be ‘tackled’, but not too far away so it’s ineffective) changes of pace before and after the cone. Game related: Area 40x25yds (15, 10 and 15ys for the length of sections). Fun game ‘Canada’. Split into uneven numbered teams (9v3, 7v3, 7v2 depending on numbers). The smaller number act as defenders in the middle of the 3 sections, remaining players split between 2 outside areas. Pass around in end area, and the run with the ball across the middle defended section to teammates on other side. Repeat. Switch defenders regularly. Progress by: maximum number of passes (3,4,5) as you want players to run with the ball across at the earliest opportunist, and for it to happen a lot, increase defender numbers (dependent on success), allow one or more defenders in end sections, include a time limit, increase/reduce size of 3 sections (dependent on success) Coaching points: all above points, eyes up for awareness of gaps between defenders in middle section, look to take first opportunity to drive through the middle (don’t pass when you have time and space in front of you), using correct part of foot for running with the ball (laces) Small sided game: 2v2, lots of opportunities to take defenders on, should also be space in behind to attack at pace. Encourage dribbling to beat the defender, even add an additional goal to the score if they beat a defender and then score.Progress by: putting a time limit on attacking teams to get them to play at a higher tempo and speed, increasing the number of players on the field. Coaching points: encourage players to be confident and take players on, eyes up too see defenders and space
