By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College
Set Up:
Create 3 x 3 grids and have three players in each grid. Two players will have balls at their feet while one will be working back and forth around their cones passing and receiving the balls.
Instructions:
Player off the ball will work back and forth laterally between the two cones passing and receiving using specific movements, touches and parts of their foot. Rotate the player working after 60 seconds.
Coaching Points:
- Keep the ball close on your first touch
- Explode in opposite direction after playing the ball
- Various movements (spin out, back pedal, etc.)
- Various surfaces of the foot (laces, inside, outside, etc.)
Set Up:
Create three grids in the space between the two 18 yard boxes and the width of the 18 yard box. The central grid will be 10 – 15 yards deep, depending on the age of the players and their technical ability. Two teams will play 7 v 7 +1.
Instructions:
In each end there will be a 4 defenders v 2 attackers and in the central zone there will be a 1 v 1 + 1 Neutral. Each team will try to build from their end to get across the end line on the other end zone. Defenders can play ball to central zone or dribble ball into zone.
Coaching Points:
- Move off the ball to create numbers up situations in order to possess the ball
- Focus on defenders joining with their teammate (and neutral) in the middle third to help transition the attack.
- Central midfielder should show in front of their defender to help link the play and encourage the defenders to join by opening space
- Make sure that your shape in the end zones is both deep and wide to allow maximum opportunities for supporting angles as you move forward.
Set Up:
Create three grids in the space between the two 18 yard boxes and the width of the 18 yard box. The central grid will be 10 – 15 yards deep, depending on the age of the players and their technical ability. Two teams will play 7 v 7 +1 with the three small goals along each end line.
Instructions:
In each end there will be a 4 defenders v 2 attackers and in the central zone there will be a 1 v 1 + 1 Neutral. Each team will try to build from their end to score on any of the three small goals on their opponents end. This time defenders can advance into the central zone only when a ball has been played into the zone. They are not allowed to dribble in to make numbers up. Defenders may also play ball directly to their strikers and follow the ball to join.
Coaching Points:
- Attacking players should keep themselves angled with one player high and one player deep to provide options for going forward.
- Defenders moving forward should be careful not to over run the ball. Stay behind a bit to ensure the attacking option.
- Defender on the back side of the attack should look to join and make the attack width accessible.
- Place a premium on possession. Since the defenders are involved loss of possession can be punished with a quick counter attack since the defensive shape has been altered.
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
