Practice 7 - Passing
I managed to find two teams to scrimmage that were closer to our level. I also started to realize that I have not to let my emotions get the better of me. I never showed my emotions too badly to the team, but inside it was killing me. I knew I had to be focused on making the girls have fun, but also develop them as players and also as people. The games were a great boost for the girls. We won our first game 2-0, and our second game 2-1. It was a mass improvement form earlier weeks. I tried a new formation. In previous games I realized if I play 2-3-1 that the two defenders never got forward so I played a 1-4-1 with the two central midfielders being like the diamond formation.

Because of the disastrous results in our previous two friendly games, I thought I concentrated more on getting the team play right, which I don't really think is the most important thing. I am going to keep with improving the individual skills, which will make the team improve.

Warm up
15 Minutes - Fun Game

Your players get in two's and form a circle. Each pair faces each other and every player has a ball. Number each pair.

The coach calls out a number. That number performs one of the exercises below. Once they complete the exercise, they run round the circle and try to tag their partner.

  • Two kick ups - Go through the whole group

  • Two thighs - One right one left

  • Thigh, Kick up and catch.

  • 3 Kick ups

  • Throw in to the coach - Its got to be legal, if its a foul throw they have to go again.

You can add more if you want to.......

Focus On:

  • Fun

  • Skills
25 Minutes

In this next exercise I am going to work on the technique of passing but I am going to add a fake.

Players are put in three's with one soccer ball. I had 10 players and the GK went off with my assistant to work on Goalkeeping

The player that has the ball is trying to pass to a player that is ten yards away, but is blocked by the 3rd player. I started this from a standing position.

  • The player with the ball, moves to the left and then takes the ball to the right and passes.
  • They then follow the pass and become the blocker, the receiving player does the same.
  • Have the defending players to be passive, no tackling.
  • Pass with either foot.
  • Now try the exercise with some dribbling and then the feint and pass.

Focus On:

  • Movement
  • Pass

Variation:

  • Add a goal so the players can beat the defender and shoot.
25 Minutes

I set up two 20 x 20 area. I split the girls in two groups, five in each group, 1 ball for each group. I numbered the girls 1 - 5.

  • The girls stayed in their area, passing the ball in number sequence.

Variation:

  • I combined the group and added two balls and numbered the girls 1 -10. One ball started at player 1 and one at player 5.

  • I put them back in groups of five but added a defender and played 4 v 1 keep away.

Focus on:

  • Passing

  • Moving

  • Communicating

  • Ball Control
 
25 Minutes - Scrimmage

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