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
In these activities we are working on players improving their ability to receive balls in the air with different surfaces of the body.
Receiving in the Air Circle
Set-Up
Team will be divided with a large group of them making a large circle while the remainder are inside large circle with a ball.
Execution
Players will be asked to play balls in the air to their teammates in the outside circle. Those in the outside circle will be asked to both receive the ball and play the ball to a teammate also outside. The player who gets the ball from the player that received the aerial pass will then dribble into the circle and repeat the process.
Variations
If players are not technically capable of serving consistent balls in the air allow them to throw or toss the ball to their teammates so that we can get repetition.
Coaching Points
- When receiving the ball with your chest from the air focus on the following checklist: knees bent, center of your chest in line with the ball, "rock" back as ball lands on chest, turn your shoulders when the ball lands on your chest so that it can fall in the direction of your teammate
- When receiving the ball with your foot from the air focus on the following checklist: Allow your foot to "give" when the ball lands on it, watch the ball all the way onto your foot from the air, get your body in line with the ball while it is in the air so you are not reaching for the ball, open your hips towards the teammate you want to play the ball to out of the air.
- When receiving the ball with your head focus on the following checklist: Keep your eyes open and watch the ball onto your forehead, in terms of receiving the ball and playing it in a direction turn your shoulders with your head and "look" it to your destination.
Receiving Balls in the Air Activity 2
Setup
There will be three players at the top of the 18 yard box facing the midfield area. There will be balls placed in five different areas across midfield with players who are capable of serving balls in the air. Underneath the players at the top of the 18 will be three groups of players who will get the ball and finish.
Execution
The players across the midfield area will serve a ball in the air to any of the three players at the top of the 18 yard box. Those players will use any of the three surfaces of the body (foot, chest or head) to receive the ball and lay it off to the teammates underneath. Those players will have a limited number of touches to control the ball and have a shot on goal.
Variations
You can have the players underneath combine off their first touch to go to goal. So, if the first player lays a ball off with their foot then the player underneath must play it one time (as they receive it) to one of the other underneath players. Thus, more players will be receiving balls from the air.
Coaching Points
- Keep knees bent when receiving the ball
- Focus on turning your shoulders and hips as the ball arrives to direct a pass
- Align the center of your chest or body with any ball in the air
- Keep your eyes on the ball as it travels to your body
Receiving Balls in the Air Activity 3
Setup
In an area roughly 44 yds x 44 yards you will have 6 v 6 plus GK in the middle. On the edges of the field there will be players from their team who cannot be pressured. If they receive a ball they must play a ball in the air to their team.
Execution
Goals scored in the normal flow of play are 1 point. Goals scored off a ball in the air that is received and played to the goal scorer or a quick combination at the discretion of coach what quick is with two players after ball is received are worth 5 points.
Variations
Depending on ability of team you can mandate that when ball is played in the air to a team that player cannot be defended, but, only has the receiving touch to make their pass.
Coaching Points
- As the ball is traveling in the air players off the ball must anticipate where it will be played so that can receive the ball with an opportunity to finish.
- Players receiving the ball in the air must pay attention to their checklist: Body aligned with the ball, Light on their feet and Turn their shoulders & hips to the person they are playing to when they receive the ball.
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)
