Session #1: Introductions … Building the Ground Game – Turns & Shielding
First Team Session Introductions, Attendance and Expectations

Printable pdf: U9-U12 L2T Player Development Sessions #1

Introductory Game – GAG
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– 1v1 on inside with Wall Players on outside
– Players are paired and half of the pairs are on the outside spread around the square
– Pairs in colours play 1v1 inside of the area but they can use the players on the outside as a wall

Can you use the outside players?
What help can they give you?
What advantage does it give you to play to the outside players?
How can you get into the space behind the defender?

Technical Exercise – Free Dribble
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– Players touch every step while moving around the area finding space between the other dribblers.
– Players roll ball across their body as they dribble. (make sure they cross their legs on roll).
– Roll then step over with the other foot.
– TURNS: Inside and Outside of Foot Twist Off, Slide

Technical Exercise – ‘Shield To Create’
Area: 15×15 or open area

– Begin with players passing in twos on touch.
– On the coach’s command “GO”, the player with the ball shields from the other player.
– Do not run away, attempt to stand your ground.
– Get half turned so you can see the ball and see the player at the same time.
– Keep arm out to the side, feet wide apart, and knees bent (staying low with solid base).
– Attempt to use all parts of the foot but avoid standing on the ball with one foot.
– Use turns to avoid danger.
– On “STOP” return to one touch passing.
– Keep ball in the ‘SWEET SPOT’ by using bottom of the foot to roll the ball to in inside of the same foot.

GAG – Return to Opening Exercise
Area: 15×15 or smaller

– 1v1 on inside with Wall Players on outside
– Players are paired and half of the pairs are on the outside spread around the square
– Pairs in colours play 1v1 inside of the area but they can use the players on the outside as a wall- Can you use the outside players?- What help can they give you? How does an outside player stay involved? (build a platform, adjust their position to make it easier to pass (closer or farther), call for the ball)
– What advantage does it give you to play to the outside players?
– How can you get into the space behind the defender.

Final Game – Use of “Start Again/Start Over” – 5v5 Attack Least Protected Goal (Image 3v3)

Area: 25×25 or smaller- In a game of 5v5 etc four goals are set up (two in each corner of the field several yards from the sideline).
– Switch the POINT OF ATTACK so they can attack the other side of the field or the Least Protected Goal.
– Use of turns and Shielding should be encouraged to keep the ball and START OVER or START AGAIN is a phrase we must emphasize in having them play back to ‘start the attack again’.
– A player must be deep (as deep as possible) and must be the RELEASE player for their team. Have them move from side to side as they play the ball to the other side but remain deep.
– If this player goes forward, another player must drop back and be a PLATFORM (PLAYER FACING FORWARD WHO CAN PLAY FORWARD.