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
This session is focused on improving the player's ability to control and move the ball quickly and set-up an opportunity to shoot or pass.
Set-Up
Beginning at midfield there will be a speed ladder. Immediately after the speed ladder there will be stack of balls. Following the balls there will be a slalom course of flags with a Diamond of training dummy's at the top of the 18 yard area. Inside the goal will be three rings or pennies of different colors.
Starting at the top of there 18 yard area and coming back towards midfield there will be a series of gates. The first set of gates will be high enough to play a ball under and the last gate will be low enough that the ball must be lifted over it.
Execution
Player at midfield will go through the speed ladder as fast as possible and with proper form.
As soon as the player exits the ladder they should pick up a ball and begin their slalom dribble through the flags.
Following the flags the player will take on the Diamond dummy's with a move, go through them and take a shot at a color that will be called out by the coach.
The player will then sprint to the next set of balls and begin to dribble at the gates, pushing the ball under the gate and going around it to pick up the ball on the other side.
At the final gate the ball should be lifted over the gate and the player should follow by jumping over the gate as well.
Coaching Points
Through the speed ladder focus on keeping body low to ground and movements sharp.
Pick up a ball and continue to run without breaking stride if at all possible.
In the flag slalom work to keep the ball and your body as close to the flags as possible while you are going through. Look to dip your shoulder across the flag to decrease your time between flags.
As the player does the move on the first dummy the player should focus their vision on what the next opportunity to cut through for the shot will be after the move.
After the finish the player should again sprint and pick up the ball without slowing if possible. When approaching each gate they should push the ball through with enough pace that they can get around the outside of the gate and pick it back up without breaking stride.
For the final gate the player should look to lift the ball with enough distance that they can still elevate themselves over the lowered gate
Setup
Utilizing the center circle set cones up along the circle at varying distances. Inside the center circle make another smaller circle with flags that again are at varied distances. One player will begin on the outer circle while one player will begin on the inner circle.
Execution
The player on the outside will dribble as quickly as possible from cone to cone on the outside of the circle. At each cone the player should go around the cone utilizing a different surface of the foot and in different directions (sides). As soon as that circle is completed they will hop to the inner circle and pick up a new ball.
On the inside of the circle the player will dribble at full speed towards each flag. At every flag the player will do a different move to "beat" the flag defender. When they get all the way around they will jump back to the outside circle again.
Coaching Points
On the outside focus on making the cut as close to the cone as possible so that you do not need to slow down on the dribble and will still be in control.
On the inside make each move at the flag with enough distance that the ball will be able to beat the flag and you will still have enough time to get it back under control in time for the next move. Do not repeat any move during one circle and do them all at full speed.
Setup
There are duplicate courses set up from midfield to a big goal where there will be a GK. At the top of the 18 yard box will be a group of strikers. At each course will be players going through the course.
Execution
The player on the ball will dribble through the dummy's making a move on each one.
About ten yards towards goal will be a rebound board where the player will play a wall pass (can use a player for wall pass if no board available).
After getting the ball back on the return the player will dribble to each hurdle and lift the ball over.
After the last hurdle take a dynamic touch to the front post and then drive a ball back to the top of the 18 for a striker in the pool to finish.
Coaching Points
When making a move on the dummys make sure that the touch right at the dummy's shoulder will be behind them to cut them off.
At the rebound wall play a ball with enough pace to get a good rebound so that the player will not need to slow down.
With each hurdle just use your toe to flick the ball up and over to break as little stride as possible.
Immediately after the last hurdle take a dynamic touch towards the front post and then drive a ball on the ground to a finisher.
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)
