Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 1st grade pre-travel: Fall: Session 14

Inside Push Pass Progression 2

The basic “shape” on the soccer field is the triangle.

Set up Players with one player at the apex or head of the triangle. The two supporting players will be at 45* angles from the center, like a "cowboy drawing his two six shooters, they would be pointing at the two supporting players.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Have this player pass to the left and then receive the ball back. Then pass to the

right and receive the ball back. After 10 repetitions change the center player and

repeat.

Coaching Points

1) Watch for body position on the pass. The plant foot is still the biggest

determiner of where the ball will go.

2) The receiving player should take the ball on the foot opposite the

direction from which the pass is coming. (i.e. if the pass is coming from

the left, the right foot receives, and vice versa.) This is called opening up

to the field of play,

Progression #3

Push Pass Progression 1

Have the players form two lines about 10 yards apart facing each other. Each

player in one line starts with the ball. Make sure there is adequate room between

the players for errant passes. If you find that the distance between the lines is

too great stop the drill and bring them closer together. The drill must be geared

for success to build confidence.

Have the players begin passing to their partner. As with the fundamental stage watch for proper striking technique, proper foot placement, eye-foot coordination (head down) and follow through.

But now in addition to these coaching points you must look for:

1) Proper “weight” on the ball. Weight is the speed, spin and/or pace of the

ball. Too little weight and the ball doesn’t reach the target….too much and

it is difficult to Receive.

2) Accuracy. The plant foot is a big determiner of where the pass will go.

Generally the pass will go where the plant foot toes point. You’ll see a lot

of toes turning outward at the beginning. This should be corrected.

3) Stress that the player should not step back to kick the ball. A common error at the young ages is for the player to stop the ball, take one or two steps back and then pass it. Step in to the ball to strike it.

Have the players begin passing to their partner. At this age you may want to have the ball served by hand, i.e. have the ball rolled to the kicking partner who now has to one touch (or one time) the ball back to their partner who picks it and rolls it back.

Progress to having both partners kick the ball one touch to each other. Make a game of it. Have them

count how many times they can keep the ball going without either missing.

Progress to a game where on each successive kick the players take one step

closer to each other until the ball is ricocheting back and forth at a rapid pace.

Capture the soccerball (15 mins)

Teams of 5 (of as many as needed) -- Teams try to "capture" the other teams soccer balls. They will go to other teams safe zone and steal the balls and bring them back to their zone. You cannot use your hands. Go for time, by the end of the time, see which team has the most balls in their safe zone.