U-10

Sample Practice Plan 2

A. Warm - Up:

Idea 1: Run a lap and then have them line up on the end line - touch every line on the field and run back. Pick up speed as athletes get warmer. (Eg. Run 6 yards out and back, 18 yards out and back, etc.)

Idea 2: Two easy laps - when whistle blows the entire pack sprints until you hear the whistle again. Be creative they can run backwards, side shuffle, touch the ground with left and right hands, each time you whistle they can do a different exercise.

B. General Technique:

Make a grid 20 x 20 depending on the number of players

Dribbling: inside, outside and sole of the foot

* each player has a ball, all the players dribble among each other within the practice area

* the object of this exercise is to keep the ball constantly under control and to avoid bumping into the other players - no static training!

Option 1: At the coach's command the players must stop the ball with the sole of their foot and then quickly continue dribbling

Option 2: At the coach's command the players must change directions quickly and continue to dribble

Option 3: At the coach's command the players must make a tight circle using the outside of their feet

Option 4:  At the coach's command the players must dribble the ball in a figure 8 quickly and continue to dribble

Option 5: At the coach's command the players must dribble and exchange balls with someone else quickly and continue to dribble.

Option 6:  Work on fakes, the step-over, the pull back, the box ect. At your command as they dribble inside the grid they must do a move and then change their speed for 3-4 dribbles then slow down and continue to dribble as they wait for your next command.

Continue with this sequence, as they get their touch allow them to juggle without having to catch the ball - we have them catch to the ball to force them to stay under control and work on touch!

C. Juggling Exercises:

Start simple and then get more complex as their touch improves. Work on one body part, encouraging them to get as many as they can.

Left thigh and right thigh - drop ball to right thigh, lift, let ball drop, lift and catch - then alternate between left and right thighs - must get 6 touches before catching the ball and so on.

Left foot and right foot - same as above, make sure toe is pointed and ankle is locked

* then add to the sequence - let ball drop to right thigh, lift, let ball drop to right foot, lift, let ball drop to left foot, lift, let ball drop to left thigh and catch . . . increase as touch improves

Their first touch(or trap) is key in the game of soccer, it allows them to be successful and set themselves up properly for their next move wether it it a pass or to continue to dribble. Trapping is also all about timing, knowing when to move faster to the ball or slow their run down.

D. Shooting Technique :

1: "Far Post" Shooting: One line on each post with the balls and one line 8 yards out in front of each post. Pass is served with the inside of the foot diagonally across the goal mouth, shooter will approach the ball and hit it one touch with the inside of the foot into the far corner where the ball came from. One line is a right footed shot the other is left.

2: "Back Where It Came From": one line on the far post with balls and one line 12-15 yards out in front of the near post. Pass is served with the inside of the foot diagonally and across the goal. The shooter will approach the ball and hit it with the inside of the foot on the outside of the ball. The ball should be spinning sideways and bend into the far corner netting, back where it came from - this is also known as a banana kick.

Drill: Partners, about 15 yards apart facing each other. Have them shoot the ball to one another using their shoelaces (instep). This is the time to make corrections and praise their effort.

Coaching points: ankle locked, toe pointed downward, kick through the center of the ball and follow through with the toes still pointed down. Use both left and right feet.

3:  "Three Tier": One line on each post with their own ball, one line top 20 yards out with their own ball. Shooters are the players in the line 20 yards out in front of the goal. They will take a touch and hit an instep drive 18 yards out, continue to run and receive a pass from the far post on the ground for a 10-8 yard finesse or inside of the foot shot, continue to run and receive a ball tossed underhanded in the air for a header shot. The players must find a ball on their own before heading to the next line, rotation = passer goes to shooter, shooter goes to throwing and thrower goes to passer.

4: 3 v 2 + Goalie in the 18 yard box: Defenders line up on each post and midfield and forwards make three lines on top of the 18 yard box - one in the middle and one on each side. Balls are in a pile inside the arc on top of the 18 yard box. The 3 offenders and 2 defenders play best out of 7 balls - defense wins if they score less than 3 and tie if they score 3. After 7 balls are played the defenders and offenders switch out and a new group plays for seven balls. Balls are fed into the box by the coach after the ball goes out of bounds or is shot, balls are fed to one of the three offenders feet.

Coaching Points: look to take a quick shot, look to split the defense, and must play 1 and 2 touch soccer!

5:  3 v 3 Shooting + 2 Goalies (Goals are set 22 yards apart): Players are broken up into equal teams of three, they play 3vs3 for 2 minutes - winners stay on and others come out. When the ball is scored or goes out of bounds play begins with the keeper in that goal throwing a ball to one of his teammates feet. Keep a pile of balls in each goal for the goalies to use. Team that is off the field can watch and retrieve balls as necessary.

Coaching Points: look to shoot immediately, keep the game fast paced, must play 1 and 2 touch soccer - if they are working hard they should need the rest after each game.

E. Scrimmage/ Cooldown