U10 Week 3
Coconuts
COACHING POINTS
TECHNIQUE - remember the technique of passing and concentrate on that for success
COMPOSURE - Take your time, take a breath and stay calm
DETERMINATION - Keep on trying, if you miss, give it another go until you get it.
-
✅ Players in pairs - 1 x ⚽ per pair
✅ 1 target ball resting on a cone
✅ Players opposite on a line 5 yards on either side of the target ball (coconut!)
✅Each rep lasts 90 seconds
-
✅Players take turns to pass the ball and knock the coconut off the shy, focusing on the correct technique.
✅Rest a ball on a cone (or just have a ball in place and have players either side on a line 5 yards either side
You can split the games up into:
🏆Working together - how many times can they hit the ball as a pair in 90 seconds
🏆Individual competition - one player vs the other
🏆Teams - one side vs. the other. The team who knocks the most coconuts off wins
-
✅Each time a player hits the ball, they go back a step - see how far back they can go
✅Practice with non-dominant foot
✅Ask players to take a maximum of 2 touches
-
The correct technique of passing, using the inside of the foot is essential to the game of soccer. At the top level, passing is used to not only get the ball forward (the ball moves faster than the player), but to also disorganize and unbalance the defense).
At U6-U8, passing is not as important as teaching ball mastery, dribbling, and players having individual time on the ball. Also, the concept and understanding of teamwork are still new to them.
If the players want to win the game, they need to concentrate and be composed, the more practice will help them be more confident and skilled in a game.
Big Square, Small Square
COACHING POINTS
TECHNIQUE - maintain passing and receiving technique!
AWARENESS - Be aware of the other players and think one step ahead - where are you going next?!
COMMUNICATION - Ask for the ball and be confident with your communication
-
✅ 20 x 20 yd square and a 7 x 7 yd square in the center of the large square
✅ Half the players on the inside square, half on the outside spread evenly
✅ 1 x ⚽ per player on the outside
✅Each rep lasts 90 seconds and then outside swaps with inside
-
🏆LEVEL 1 - 60 seconds 🕜with 30 second break between reps
✅ Inside square player runs to a player on the outside, who passes it to the inside player. Inside player receives and passes back with two touches.
✅ Inside player runs back through the square repeating with another outside player
🏆LEVEL 1.2 - REPEAT with 1 TOUCH pass back to the outside
🏆LEVEL 1.3 - REPEAT with an inside-foot volley back to the outside (outside player gently tosses the ball to the player)
✅Swap inside & outside players at the end of the level
🏆LEVEL 2 - 90 seconds 🕜 30-second break
✅ Player on the inside square runs to a player on the outside, who passes it to the inside.
✅Inside player receives the ball, dribbles through the small square, and passes to another outside player
🏆LEVEL 2.2 - REPEAT with non-dominant foot pass to the outside (if right-footed, pass with left)
-
✅ There are lots of variations the inside player can perform to increase difficulty:
Volley (left/right foot)
Chest or thigh control and back
Control from a high throw
✅ Repeat the variations again if players need help
✅ Add challenge by giving a passing number each player makes per rep
-
Passing and receiving are a important fundamental skills a player needs in a game of soccer. Making it dynamic and adding awareness will increase the development and understanding in a game-like context.
Adding different ways the ball is served by the outside player is also important - high balls, fast and awkward balls happen in the game and adding these into the drill can increase the development further.
Passing Circle
COACHING POINTS
TECHNIQUE - Ensure good passing & receiving technique
AWARENESS - Look out for other players and defenders and pass the ball to an open player!
BODY POSITION - receive the ball in the direction you want to go next
-
✅ Circle of 5-10 players, with 2 in the middle
✅ 4 x ⚽ balls with players on the outside
✅ 45 seconds per rep & switch middle players
-
✅ 2 players in the center receive from the outside players and pass to another outside player without a ball
🏆LEVEL 2 - Add a defender
💡TIP - Encourage or challenge players to think 1 step ahead - in a real game this gives a player more time on the ball
💡TIP - Players on the inside must move to the ball and have an ‘open’ body-position to receive and face the direction they want to go to, which will make more time for them
💡TIP - Encourage the center players to pass, dribble and move and not stay static in the center. Not only will this help them develop in a more ‘game-like’ way, but will also allow them to get more passes and touches
-
✅Add 3 players into the center to make the play more crowded and chaotic
✅Challenge players to go again and beat their previous pass score. Minus 1 for a misplaced pass or pass to a player who already has a ball
✅Add a defender
-
Dynamic movement with passing and receiving is important to develop within the game.
Developing awareness with other players around and knowing the next move will get players to move the ball quicker and make it more difficult for defenders to get the ball.
The focus should be on moving the ball efficiently without rushing
GAME TIME!
What you need:
✅ 1 x⚽
✅ 2 teams (different colors)
✅ 2 goals
✅ All the rules of the game - throwins, goal-kicks, corners, kickoffs and fouls. So they can practice for the weekend!
TIME TO PLAY! ⚽ Allow the players to have fun, be competitive, and express themselves. At this age, don’t impose too much structure. Don’t force passing or stop the play. Encourage and give positive comments on the goal of the session (dribbling) and coach sporadically as the game goes on.