Blog
Sideways-on: Check the Shoulder
Two of the most valuable techniques you can teach your young players are to receive the ball sideways-on facing the playing field and get them to check their shoulders at least once before they receive the ball. Work the non-dominant side: through the repetitions in these passing variations, challenge them to receive the ball with their weaker foot and make sure they are checking both shoulders at least once before receiving the ball.
Passing in 18 Finish on Goal
This week’s activity is fast paced and fun with plenty of repetition that is great for the goalkeepers as well as the field players. It’s an excellent combination of passing and finishing that is great for all ages! Try it out with your team and let us know what you think!
Diamond Passing Warm-up
Try this continuous, fast-paced, medium intensity, short range passing progression! These three simple variations allow your players to focus on their spacing, timing of runs, combination play, properly weighted passes, field awareness and overall technique when passing and receiving.
Three Shot Finishing Sequence
This Three Shot Finishing Sequence is great for match day minus one or two! Have fun with this rapid fire finishing activity that incorporates a shot from the top of the box, a cut back ball and a first time finish from across the goal mouth. Your Goalkeepers will certainly have a lot to do!
Screening Defenders
This is a defending session that primarily focuses on cutting off passing lanes, denying penetrating passes and playing through lines quickly. Tweak it to fit the personnel and framework of your team!
Seattle Sounders U-14 Training Session
The objective of this session is to encourage possession by playing through lines and gaps, finding the #9, provide support underneath and find space to expose behind the opponents back four.
Rondo Playmaker
This 30 minute progression will give all your players the opportunity to become a #10!
4V2 Screening
This is a great rondo to work on the defensive relationship of your two central midfielders, two central defenders or perhaps your two forwards in a 4-4-2. The focus is on all defensive principles in small group defending.
Three Team Rondo
Three Team Rondo is a great transition activity for the younger ages 8-12, or simply use it as a warm up for the older ages, or perhaps the day before a match.
6V6 Interchange
6V6 Interchange is a fast-paced, transitional and continuous action possession activity that focuses on your players ability to maintain possession, improve passing accuracy, improve mobility and movement off the ball, combination play, and decide when to penetrate or when to possess.
50 Pass Challenge!
Take the 50 Pass Challenge! See if your players can connect 50 passes in a row in this 11V5 possession activity. 5V5+2 with four neutral bumpers on the outside. Increase the level of difficulty with three different variations: unlimited, two touch, and one touch.
L.A. Rectangle Passing Sequence
The following is a three-progression, tight-space passing activity that can be used for day before a game, day of travel or regeneration day training. It was observed by SoccerSpecific Staff at an LA Galaxy full team training session.