Improve players ability to dribble with the ball under close control

The inspiration for this session came from @chrisproskills on twitter who made me reflect on what I am doing as coach. I was falling into the trap of "I know what I am doing" rather than asking myself "What am I coaching and who am I coaching?". Make sure you ask yourselves these questions before you plan any session. 

Setting up the cones in advance has the added benefit of allowing the players to imagine the cones as opponents when doing the ball mastery work during the warm up.

Warm Up: Ball Work - With a ball each, so that the players get plenty of touches, go through the following feints and change of direction moves.

Stop turn - demonstrated here
Pull Push - demonstrated here
Stepover - demonstrated here
High Wave - demonstrated here
Drag Back - demonstrated here

Work in small groups: Four Goal Game

This is a great game for improving basic techniques and vision. The use of four goals means that players will learn to use the space,  as a result the game should increase awareness and encourage players to play with their heads up, rather than looking down at the ball all the time.

Start off with 1v1 but with 8/10 players in the central third. The objective for the players is to beat their opponent and dribble through one of the goals. Once a goal is scored the player should leave the ball for his opponent and allow him space to dribble the ball onto the pitch. You can make this game easier by allowing players to score in any of the goals rather having the game directional.

Then progress the game to 2v2 as this will encourage players to switch play and look for space. Then onto 4v4.

Work in small areas: Dribbling to score

This game is played 3v3 or 4v4 in the middle third with a keeper in each goal. The objective is the same as the four goal game above, except this time the player that goes through the cones with the ball is allowed to go 1 on 1 against the keeper, to try and score. You can make this game harder by allowing one of the defender into the attacking third to tackle the striker. 

Group Work: Normal Match – Follow this with a normal game. Focus on the skills learnt in the session, giving particular praise to players dribbling and taking players on 1v1.

Our diagrams are produced using session template software available at Academy Soccer Coach. Click here to visit their website and access free soccer downloads