Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): VSSC Dribbling Week 1 (Start Time: 2014-09-02 19:00:00)

Juggling Warm-Up

Organization:

In a 30x40 yard grid, each Player with a ball.

Instructions:

"The One Bounce Juggling Challenge": Player starts the juggle with 1 bounce, then takes 1 touch; then lets the ball bounce again, then takes 2 touches; then let's it bounce once again, then takes 3 touches, etc. If the player messes up the sequence, then they start again at 1. Challenge players to set their own new record.

Coaching Points:

Players try to improve their touches (suppleness, control and foot-eye coordination) by juggling with different surfaces of their feet (in this case, the laces).

Technical Unopposed (Developmental Repetition)

Organization: x3 Grids (for 12 Players)

Three Grids with 4 Players each with a ball in a 15x25 yard grid.

Instructions:

Players look to dribble ball to middle of grid where they look to perform a move: the Scissors against the center cone, then drive to the end of the grid, make a change of direction, then drive back to the starting end zone to repeat activity.

Coaching Points:

* Messi touches (dribbling) before move.

* Execution of the Scissors: make it look like you're going to make a touch with the outside of your foot. "Sell" it using your body.

* Final touch out of feet to accelerate away.

* Head up out of move to help with next decision.

Progressions:

Players will execute one rotation with their Right foot and then one rotation with their Left foot (alternate the foot they use).

Technical: Opposed (Conditioned Game) 1v1

Organization:

In a 15x25 Yard Grid, players play 1v1 to two gates (Yellow & Blue).

Instructions:

* Player "A" Passes to Player "B" and then defends the two gates on his end zone. Player "B" receives ball and attacks the opposite side end zone gates and can score by two ways: 1) Attacking player can score 1 point every time they execute a Scissors against a defender when close (example: you do 3 scissors against a defender, then you get 3 points); 2) Attacking player can score 1 point by dribbling the ball with control through either the Yellow or Blue gates.

* If a Defending player wins possession of the ball, then they become the Attacking player and can score the same way a normal Attacker can score.

* If ball goes out of bounds, then the game is over.

* Players will switch lines after each game (A goes to the B & vice-versa), regardless of the result.

Coaching Points:

* Head up for the Attacking player before they receive the ball to recognize what decisions to make with their 1st touch, get into the attack and when driving at the Defender.

* Use the idea of having the option of going to either gate to unbalance the Defender, namely with the Scissors move (remind players it's an easy way to score a point).

* Try to "sell" the Scissors (or any other moves) by using your body to really get the Defender to "bite".

* Can you take a big touch to accelerate once you get even/behind the Defender to create seperation.

* Head up to ensure you see the gate to score your point.

Progressions:

Players switch lines after each game, regardless of the result. Coaches keeps track of the players scores and determines a "winner" of the 1v1 Challenge. Coach has the option of also switching around players from grid to grid to change the competitive environment.