Youth Movement- Here is a basic model training session you can share with the coaches in your club at the U12 age group or below. The main objectives are maximizing touches on the ball, taking players on the dribble, basic ball movement, small group possession/combination play, small group games to goal. End with a competitive finishing activity and you have it covered.

1.

Setup:

15 players, 4V1 possession, three identical 10X10 grids, plenty of balls if available.

Instructions:

4V1 possession inside the 10X10 playing area. If the defender in the middle touches the ball or plays it out of the grid a new ball is started and the counting starts over. After 1 minute the defender switches with a player on the outside and they take a turn defending for 1 minute. The objective is to see how many consecutive passes each grid can get. Each player will defend twice, 10 minutes total.

Coaching Points:

This is an activity you can start before the actual start of training and as players arrive to the field. The possession should be fun, competitive and set the tone for the rest of training.

• Make sure each player is responsible for:
  • Counting the consecutive passes
  • Helping to teach leadership
  • Accountability and confidence through communication

2.

Setup:

15 players warm up progression, 20X20 grid, one ball per player if possible.

Instructions:

Progression 1- Red players dribble at pace across the grid to exchange with a yellow player outside the grid, yellow player penetrates the grid and repeats the sequence. Progression 2- Every time a player is in possession of the ball they must dribble through the square in the middle of the grid and perform a 1V1 move/feint on another player before continuing the established sequence. Progression 3- Anytime a player passes through the square in the middle an opposing player must maintain possession of their own ball but try and dispossess someone else.

Coaching Points:

• Maximize touches
• Dribble at pace with laces
• Ball control and keeping your head up

3.

Setup:

15 players, two 20X20 identical field set ups, 2V2+1 to targets as shown and 2V2+2 to targets. It is basically a 5V2 and 6V2 with direction.

Instructions:

The team in possession will utilize the neutral player(s) inside the grid as well as the targets on the outside of the grid. The defending team must win possession, try and keep the ball and hopefully utilize the neutral and target players. Targets and neutrals can have up to two touches if needed. 2 minute games, 6 games total, change the players from one grid to the other depending on desired success.

Coaching Points:

• Maximize touches on the ball
• Work on moving the ball from one side of the field to the other
• Create an obvious numerical advantage to help work on ball possession
• Dribbling in open space and small group passing

4.

Setup:

15 players, four goal game, two 20X30 identical field set ups, 3V3+1 as shown and a 3V3+2 on the other field.

Instructions:

The team in possession can score on either goal and should utilize the nuetral player(s) in order to create 2V1 attacking advantages to goal. If a goal is scored or the ball goes out of bounds a new ball is started from the the back of the playing area. 3 minutes games, 6 games total, play each team twice and keep track of record and goal differential. Determine a championship and consolation match at the end if you have time.

Coaching Points:

• Be aggressive on the dribble and committing defenders
• Encourage switching the point of attack
• Create 2V1 scenarios
• Try and establish playing quickly but under control based on the ability level

5.

Setup:

15 players divided into two equal teams. Two flags are placed approximately 20 yards from goal as shown. Plenty of balls with the coach.

Instructions:

On the coaches shout, a player from each team runs around the back of the goal and sprints around the flag, simultaneously the coach plays a ball on the ground to a nuetral area for the players to battle for. First player to the ball must try and score quickly. 10 minutes or until a certain amount of goals are scored.

Coaching Points:

• Fun and competitive way to end training
• Variation could include the player that is second to the ball becomes the next GK.