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spread DRILLS
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3 v 3 v 3

Station 6 players in 2 teams of 3 in 1/3 of the area and 3 players in 1 team in the other 1/3. The ball starts in the area at the top of the diagram. The 3 players in possession must attempt to advance the ball into the middle area. The team advancing the ball into this area then carries the ball into the opposing 1/3. Now they must attempt to advance the ball to the end line at the bottom of the diagram beyond the 3 players in the bottom 1/3. Defensive players must attempt to prevent the team in possession from getting the ball to either the middle area or the end line. Play continues from end to end with the winner being the first team to get to 5 points/goals. Develop so that 3 defenders become 2 defenders plus a goalkeeper. Now you have 3 attackers trying to beat 2 defenders and score past the goalkeeper.

Conditioned games

Clinical Finishing

Play 3 v 3 in the middle area with goalkeepers at each end. The object of the game is to score in the opposing goal. Only the attacker with the ball can go into the end area from a through pass from a teammate or by dribbling in. No defenders are allowed in this area. Goalkeepers must stay on their line until the ball enters their goal area. Attackers have a maximum of 3 touches in end areas. Goals can be scored only in the end areas. Attackers have only 1 touch from rebounds from the goalkeeper. Progressions:1. Develop into allowing 1 defender to enter the penalty area also to put pressure on the attacker. The defender is nominated and is the only player allowed in.2. Reduce number of touches in the endzone to 2.3. Allow 2 attackers and 1 defender in end zone. 1st attacker has 2 touches, other attacker has only 1 touch.

Shooting

Crazy 6 s

Place 5 discs with soccer balls on them on each end line. Play 6 v 6 in the area. When the ball rolls out of bounds, it should be rolled in underhand by a player. The object is to score by knocking one of the balls off a disc on your teams attacking end line.

Conditioned games

Divots!

Scatter some cones (divots) across the area, some the right way up, and some upside down. Split the group into two teams - 'Hackers and Greenkeepers' - and spread them out across the area. On the word 'Go' the Hackers run round turning the divots upside down and the Greenkeepers must turn them the right way up.

Conditioned games

Fun 3s

The object of the game is to score in the opposing team's goal through interplay of players on the same team. The game should be 3 v 3 with no goalkeepers.

Conditioned games

Pass Race

Set up with 3 gates spread out as shown. 1 ball in front of each gate. They race through the area (zig-zagging) passing their balls in between the cones (1 point for every successful pass). Upon completing the passes they take 1 of the balls at the end and dribble it back through the starting area, 1 player back gets the bonus point.

Agility

Passing and Receiving

Split your players into three equal sized teams, with two teams starting inside the area and the third spread around the outside of the grid. The team on the outside of the grid are neutral players. When they receive the ball they must pass back to a player on the same team that originally passed to them. The two teams inside the area play a possession game. The challenge for each team is to score 10 (or more) consecutive passes to score a goal.

Passing and Receiving

Roll Passes in 2's

Set up as shown with gates evenly spread out. 2 players with 1 ball. The drill starts with 1 player rolling the ball across their body and then passing through the gate to their partner. They continue rolling and passing from one end to the other. Players will have to change which foot they roll with and which they pass with depending on which direction they are going.

Passing and Receiving

Tony Chestnut's Big Game

Play 6 v 6. Station goals angled into the area in the corners of the grid. 1 ball per practice. The object of the game is to try to pass the ball between your team and score in any of the four goals. Players should be encouraged to spread out and find space throughout the practice.

Conditioned games

Total Soccer

Play a game of 3 v 3. Each team elects a goalkeeper that is allowed to use their hands in the defensive area as well as go forward as an outfield player. Rotate keepers every 2 minutes. Select scores for various skills demonstrated.

Conditioned games

Pass Race Agility - Football D...

Set up with 3 gates spread out as shown. 1 ball in front of each gate.They race through the area (zig-zagging) passing their balls in between the cones (1 point for every successful pass).Upon completing the passes they take 1 of the balls at the end and dribble it back through the starting area, 1 player back gets the bonus point.

General

Football: Tony Chestnut's Big ...

Play 6 v 6. Station goals angled into the area in the corners of the grid. 1 ball per practice. The object of the game is to try to pass the ball between your team and score in any of the four goals. Players should be encouraged to spread out and find space throughout the practice.

General

Football: Activation - 4v4v4 P...

Objective: The team on the outside to retain possession (on outside only) & switch play by combining with middle attacking team. It will get players thinking, moving & working together.Use a 20 x 20 grid and split your players into 3 groups, bibbed up. For example if you have 12 players (3 teams of 4). This activation practice will get players thinking, moving and working together. You will have 1 team spread on the outside of the box and 2 in the middle (one playing as Attackers, the other Defenders). The objective is for the team on the outside to retain possession on outside only & when an opportunity arrives, play to the attacking team (whom combine/pass) and play it back out on a different side of the box. The defending team can only shadow/intercept but can tackle once the ball is inside. If the ball is turned over, then a transition happens & the outside team will swap with the defending team.

General

Pac Man Warm Up - Football Dri...

Objective: Initial pulse raiser to get players focus & physically prepared for the session.Detail: Mark out a 20 x 20 grid with cones every 10m. On each line of the grid put a piece of equipment (poles, ladders, hurdles, cones). Put 2 players into bibs (pac men) and everyone else starts spread out next to cone. You can only move alone the lines from cone - cone. If a player comes to a piece of equipment they need to go through it efficiently. If you are caught then you're out or can join the pac men chasing. Introduce balls after a couple of games, where players can take turns to enter skill zone with ball, perform skill & pass to partner (swap). Emphasis is on quality of movement with and without equipment. Speed / transfer ratio - going in and coming out. Don't concentrate on technique yet. Make rotations as necessary. When balls are introduced make sure quality ball manipulation & allow players to "show off" a trick / feint in the skill zone.

General

Total Soccer Conditioned games...

Play a game of 3 v 3. Each team elects a goalkeeper that is allowed to use their hands in the defensive area as well as go forward as an outfield player. Rotate keepers every 2 minutes. Select scores for various skills demonstrated.

General

Passing and Receiving Possessi...

Split your players into three equal sized teams, with two teams starting inside the area and the third spread around the outside of the grid. The team on the outside of the grid are neutral players. When they receive the ball they must pass back to a player on the same team that originally passed to them. The two teams inside the area play a possession game. The challenge for each team is to score 10 (or more) consecutive passes to score a goal.

General

Divots! Conditioned games - Fo...

Scatter some cones (divots) across the area, some the right way up, and some upside down. Split the group into two teams - 'Hackers and Greenkeepers' - and spread them out across the area. On the word 'Go' the Hackers run round turning the divots upside down and the Greenkeepers must turn them the right way up.

General

Roll Passes in 2's Passing and...

Set up as shown with gates evenly spread out. 2 players with 1 ball.The drill starts with 1 player rolling the ball across their body and then passing through the gate to their partner.They continue rolling and passing from one end to the other.Players will have to change which foot they roll with and which they pass with depending on which direction they are going.

General

Fun 3s Conditioned games - Foo...

The object of the game is to score in the opposing team's goal through interplay of players on the same team. The game should be 3 v 3 with no goalkeepers.

General

Pac Man Conditioned games - Fo...

This is an initial pulse raiser to get players focus; physically prepared for the session.Mark out a 20 x 20 grid with cones every 10m.On each line of the grid put a piece of equipment (poles, ladders, hurdles, cones).Put 2 players into bibs (pac men) and everyone else starts spread out next to cone.You can only move alone the lines from cone - cone. If a player comes to a piece of equipment they need to go through it efficiently.If you are caught then you're out or can join the pac men chasing.Introduce balls after a couple of games, where players can take turns to enter skill zone with ball, perform skill; pass to partner (swap).

General

Three Goal Game Conditioned ga...

Set up two teams, with 5 on field (3-2 formation) playing against the 4 on field defenders (3-1 formation).The attacking team start with the ball and then the game is live!Attackers can score in the normal-sized goal and the defenders can score in either of the two smaller goals (use cones) at the opposite end.

General

Unopposed control Passing and ...

Objective: To successfully use different surfaces to control the ball in an unopposed practice.Detail:Mark out a 20 x 20 area.Split the players into pairs.Players then spread around the outside of the area with their partner on the inside.To begin, players are stationary and play two touch by controlling the ball before passing back.Players remain stationary whilst working on control and aerial control (chest, thigh, head).Get in line with the ball.Select an appropriate controlling surface.Show surface to control the ball.Withdraw surface to reduce impact.Angle of body to turn.

General

The Kneeling Block Goalkeeping...

Pair goalkeepers up with serverGK on knees, Server plays ball out to side of GKGK sticks leg out to block with feetNOTES:Arms in standard set position to start then spread as the shot is about to be takenWeight and head forward and try and stay upright rather than leaning to one sideLeg nearest the ball unfolds and stretches to make saveTry and get leg as low as possible the hamstring as close to the playing surface

General

Dynamic Activation Agility - F...

Initial pulse raiser to prepare players both physically and mentally for the session. Mark out a 30 x 20 area.Part 1:Players are spilt into 2 groups and begin by jogging in pairs to the far corner of each area and back down the sides to rejoin the group.Introduce dynamic flexibility movements such as (calf swings, straight leg jogging, hamstring volleys, thigh volleys, heel to buttocks, groin abductors / adductos, lunges.Part 2:Sprint to top cornerSprint to middle coneDiagonal to top coneReturn to back of queue

General

Passing by Numbers Passing and...

Players number themselves from one-eight (or as many numbers as there are players). Players must then pass in numerical order. Although they can attempt to memorise the passing order it's far more beneficial if the players call out and communicate to one another. So once player two has the ball, player 3 should be calling the receive the pass.

General

Passing Triangle Passing and R...

3 players stand around 3 metres apart from one another with one ball between them. They can pass in either direction and should start with two touch football, using strong side footed passes. After a few minutes you can introduce a one touch rule to encourage players to think about where they are going to pass before they even receive the ball.

General

Blocking in small Goals Goalke...

Use mini goals. Goalkeeeper starts on a cone behind the mini goal.Server plays a ball for the mini goal and GK blocks with legsNOTESDo not go down to early but get leg out fast when need arisesGK to make themselves as wide as possibleArms spread but slightly in front of the body

General

Football: Pass and follow - Ac...

Player 2 backpedals in front of player 1. When player 1 passes to player 2 they must stop the ball and pass the ball back into the path of player 1. Player 2 then runs backwards a further 5 metres before repeating the process. Once both players have reached the sideline they swap roles and the drill continues.

General

Clinical Finishing Shooting - ...

Play 3 v 3 in the middle area with goalkeepers at each end. The object of the game is to score in the opposing goal. Only the attacker with the ball can go into the end area from a through pass from a teammate or by dribbling in. No defenders are allowed in this area. Goalkeepers must stay on their line until the ball enters their goal area. Attackers have a maximum of 3 touches in end areas. Goals can be scored only in the end areas. Attackers have only 1 touch from rebounds from the goalkeeper. Progressions:<br />1. Develop into allowing 1 defender to enter the penalty area also to put pressure on the attacker. The defender is nominated and is the only player allowed in.<br />2. Reduce number of touches in the endzone to 2.<br />3. Allow 2 attackers and 1 defender in end zone. 1st attacker has 2 touches, other attacker has only 1 touch.

General

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spread SESSIONS
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Using width when attacking

Stretch your opposition and drag defenders out of position with this wide attacking session, complete with two great conditioned games!

Switch Play - Use the full width of the pitch!

Make the most of the space on the field by getting your players into the mind-set of switching the play, rather than trying to hammer down the same congested channel each time.

Creating Space in the Midfield

Develop your players understanding of space and how their movement (or even lack of at times) can create space to play in the midfield.

Spreading out to maintain & exploit space

Take advantage of the space. Get your players into the mindset of spreading the play to utilise the space to attack by creating links between the wide men and center forwards.

Team Defending

Develop a team mentality that works to win the ball back and swarm in groups. Understand the roles and responsibilities of team defence to shut out the opposition as a unit.

Turning Under Pressure

Create attacks by playing short, getting your midfield players on the ball and seeing them turn to distribute passes up to your forwards.
spread ANSWERS
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How can i teach the team not to herd the ball

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

My U'16 team can't get going in the first half

My under 16 team just cant seem to get going in the first half but come out strong in the second! I feel this is a bit of a sports psycology issue! I have heard a few of them say." Well, we know what the opposition are like after 40 mins! I need to install belief!

Archived User Coach

Warm up routine before football match

Hi has anyone got a good warm up routine for a under 18 team before a match?

DAN BRYAN Coach, England

I coach 20-30 adults and need creative ideas for engaging large groups!

Hi, I coach about 20-30 adults on half a full size astro turf pitch (which we only have for an hour so time is very limited). They are a decent ability and I'm just wondering if anyone has any creative ideas for either big group drills that keeps them all engaged or smaller drills that are easy to set up and they can rotate around. Thanks

Archived User Coach

How to stop my U10s 'bunching' in matches?

every game we play the team always bunch up leaving space on the pitch, is there any session or drill i can do that will get them to space out on the pitch ?i coach u10 girls team

Archived User Coach

The Right Weight of Pass Drills for U8 Boys

Are there any drills I could use to help my U8 team learn to use the right weight of pass in the right situation. They have the ability to see the pass but often either under hit or over hit the ball. Thanks Lee

Lee Pritchett Coach, England

Under 8's Captaincy - is it right?

I've got a player who is commanding, brilliant at spreading the play, and is no doubt my best player in my under 8's 5 a-side team. I've decided most times that he's going to be captain. The question is, whether or not you think it's right to give the captaincy to just one player? How do you guys organise yours? Rotate it? Have just one? Give it to the best trainer that week?

Oliver Perkins Coach, England

Crowding round the ball

Looking for a some drills to help under 8 and 9's to stop crowding round the ball and to pass and move into space

Pete Evans Coach, England

How to improve goal kicks

How do I get my keeper to kick hi and longer goal kicks. Thanks Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Archived User Coach

Attacking and recovering with midfielders

When my team attacks the near the opposing teams 18 box, we always seem to give the ball away to the other team and my midfield is never covered adequately. What is the best way to balance trying to attack but still maintaining shape from a defensive standpoint?

Hunter Williams Coach, United States of America

Under 8's Captaincy - is it ri...

I've got a player who is commanding, brilliant at spreading the play, and is no doubt my best player in my under 8's 5 a-side team. I've decided most times that he's going to be captain. The question is, whether or not you think it's right to give the captaincy to just one player? How do you guys organise yours? Rotate it? Have just one? Give it to the best trainer that week?

Oliver Perkins Coach, England

How to stop my U10s 'bunching'...

every game we play the team always bunch up leaving space on the pitch, is there any session or drill i can do that will get them to space out on the pitch ?i coach u10 girls team

Archived User Coach

How can i teach the team not t...

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

I coach 20-30 adults and need ...

Hi, I coach about 20-30 adults on half a full size astro turf pitch (which we only have for an hour so time is very limited). They are a decent ability and I'm just wondering if anyone has any creative ideas for either big group drills that keeps them all engaged or smaller drills that are easy to set up and they can rotate around. Thanks

Archived User Coach

How to improve goal kicks - Sp...

How do I get my keeper to kick hi and longer goal kicks. Thanks Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Archived User Coach

Crowding round the ball - Spor...

Looking for a some drills to help under 8 and 9's to stop crowding round the ball and to pass and move into space

Pete Evans Coach, England

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