Warm-up: Get on the front foot

WHY USE IT

The session encourages players to penetrate or “go forward”, as the players in possession look to invade the opposition. There are opportunities to utilise different tools, dribbling, combinations and awareness to outwit opponents.

SET UP

Set up a playing area relative to the age and ability of your players. Place one cone or flat marker in the middle of the area and a number of gates around the outside. Each player starts with a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Players all start in the middle of the area by the cone/flat marker. They then dribble out through a gate, turn and dribble back to the middle and continue to visit different gates. You can progress the practice by encouraging players to use a ‘trick’ (e.g. stepover) when they reach the central flat marker. You can also challenge players to see how many gates they can dribble through in a set time (e.g one minute).

COACHING POINTS

• Close control
• Use different types of turn
• Change of direction
• Change of speed