Session 4: Ball Control

Session 4: Ball Control
Age Group: U10 (16 Players)
Duration: 1 Hour

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Get into line of flight of ball
2. Offer surface
3. Withdraw surface to control the ball

WARM UP: 15 MINUTES

- Grid size 24m x 24m
- Bib 8 players before the warm up
- Start warm up with a ball each
- Coach introduces activity (Stepover, drag backs, Toe taps etc)
- At halfway point bibs remain with ball only
- Non bibs receive pass and lay it back(focus good touch although only warm up)
- After couple mins swap over to bibs receiving pass
Progression
-Take a chest and lay it back
- Take it on thigh and lay it back
Coach to increase tempo from slow to fast as warm up progresses




MAIN ACTIVITY: 25 MINUTES

- Grid sizes 12m x 12m (4 grids)
- 4 players in each grid in pairs
- Ball between each pair
- Players work across the grid
- Players control the ball using required surface
- Players progress to free movement around grid in their pairs
- Many variances can be performed as per coach in this drill (ie control with right foot, left foot, inside, outside, control to pass, control to dribble, control on the move)
- Key factors as at top of planner





CONDITIONED GAME: 25 MINUTES
The key focus for the coach in the end of session game should be on ball control, encourage the players to get a good touch and then get their pass away if they have time to do so. Again corner kicks and throw ins should be enforced to replicate a real match situation for the players, don't unnecessarily stop the game, let the players express themselves.
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A similar session to passing in week 1 in terms of layout, the focus for the coach here being on a good first touch. If the coach the players are progressing well on first touch they can then use different variances(ie touch to beat a player, touch to create space, outside of the foot, touch to dribble, touch to pass).
There is no need to use complicated drills that the players won't understand, simple drills are easy to understand and mean the players get more ball contact time and can focus on the key factors of the topic.