FUNdamentals SOCCER FESTIVAL STATION GUIDE FOR TECHNICAL LEADERS AND COACHES
FREE FOOTIE PROGRAM OUTLINE: Time
Activity
Location
8.30-10.30AM
INTRODUCTION AND THEORY
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM
10.30-NOON
SKILL STATION DEVELOPMENT
FIELD HOUSE
1.00-3.00
FESTIVAL PROGRAM
FIELD HOUSE
Draft School Program for Six Weeks of Themed Sessions ***Three Stations per Week with an 8-10 Minute Rotation.
Week 1
Topic
Theme
Ball Familiarity
Self Expression
a. Ball Taps Week 2
Running Ball and Dribbling a. Run relay
Week 3
b. Traffic Lights (moves) Intuition
b. Baked Beanz
Turns a.Four Houses
c. Obstacle Course
c. King of the Ring Decision making
b. Turn n Burn
c. Technique: Cruyff Stop, Step, Flip
Week 4
Passing a. Crazy golf
Week 5
Shooting
Sharing b. Bingo Bango Bong
Confidence
a. Dribbling to shoot b. Shooting tech Week 6
Players choice a. King of the Ring
c. Knock the Coach Off the Bench
c. Penalty shoot out (US)
Live with a free spirit: Fun b. One goal - numbers c. Skills Square
Develop teacher/coach feedback form.
FUNdamentals Soccer Festival: Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans
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APPENDIX: COACHING TOOLS TO ASSIST THE PLANNING OF YOUR EVENT PLAYER TO STATION RATIO The following tables present a calculation of the player:station ratio for planning your event These calculations reflect each of the three festival formats (skill stations, games or a combined festival) and accommodate eight players per station (based upon a 4 v 4 game format) within a weekly or twice weekly program. Number of Players 25 50 75 100 125 150 200
Number of Stations (8 Players per Station) 3 6 9 12 15 18 25
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY FORMATS FOR AN 8 WEEK PROGRAM FESTIVAL FORMAT (GAME-ACTIVITY COMBINATION) Time 0 mins 5 mins 10 mins 20 mins 30 mins 40 mins
Activity Player Arrival Warm-Up Rotation Activity One Rotation Activity Two Rotation Activity Three Break
42 mins 48 mins 54 mins 60 mins
Game One Game Two Group Thanks and session dispersal
Comments Dispersal to groups At Stations with Coaches
Player Refreshments and change stations to game fields
Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans
TOURNAMENT FORMAT (GAMES ONLY) TIME ACTIVITY 0 mins Player Arrival 5 mins Warm-Up 10 mins Game One 20 mins Game Two 30 mins Game Three 40 mins Game Four 50 mins Cool Down 58 mins Group Thanks and session dispersal 60 mins
COMMENTS Dispersal to groups At Stations with Coaches
Ball related skill based activity
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FORMAT TIME 0 mins 5 mins 10 mins 20 mins 30 mins
ACTIVITY Player Arrival Warm-Up Rotation Activity One Rotation Activity Two Skills Challenge
40 mins 50 mins 58 mins 60 mins
Rotation Activity Three Rotation Activity Four Group Thanks and session dispersal
COMMENTS Dispersal to groups At Stations with Coaches
Penalty Challenge, Juggling competition, etc.
SUGGESTED CURRICULUM FOR AN 8 WEEK PROGRAM (REFER TO ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR MORE DETAILS) WEEK One Two
TOPIC Ball Familiarity Dribbling
Three
Receiving & Passing
Four Five Six Seven Eight
Turning with the ball Striking and shooting the ball Dealing with aerial balls Tricks and flicks Players picks
COMMENTS Physical Literacy, Ball Taps Slalom Dribbling, King of the Ring Knock the Coach Off The bench, Through the Gate Turning Relays, Spook Night Breakaway, Goalie Goalie Goalkeeping and Volley Control Turns and spins Player choose their favorite games and moves
Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans
TOOLS FOR THE TECHNICAL LEADERS YOU ARE THE COACH You are going to the field and the key is to relax and play. Everyone has experienced good as well as poor coaches, so use your experience and reflect on the qualities of a good coach, in order to support the coach you wish to be.
Presence Rapport
Knows Subject Looks the Part
Organized Good Coaches
Communication
Accountable
Skills Observation
Challenging Inspires
Skills
COMMUNICATE The essence of the Festival Format is interactions and communication. Use the diagram below to remind you what level is your communication targeted at. When coaching players, you should communicate as if you are player. If you are required to discipline a player then do so as a coach. Problems occur when individuals cross-communicate.
Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans
WHY DO PLAYERS DISENGAGE There are two basic reasons why children switch off from a task or drill. They are bored (it is too easy) or they are frustrated (the task is too difficult).
The task of the technical leader is to recognize and address these. Simplify the task or provide a further challenge within the session to the group.
Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans
SKILL STATION SESSION PLANS Each FUNdamentals Skill Station Festival should incorporate stations that focus upon developing certain components of play. Enclosed are some specific session plans to get technical leaders started.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES REGISTRAR
The Registrar should have a clear indication of how many players are anticipated to attend an event. Every event should include a registration process regardless if there is a fee to register or not. It is then the Registrar's responsibility to contact and allocate sufficient staff members to support the event.
TIME KEEPER
The Time Keeper should manage the station rotations. They will have to adjust the schedule on the go if there are delays or changes. They will hold responsibility for indicating the start or conclusion of each rotation and consequential transitions. All Technical staff must follow the time-keeper's lead.
DIRECTOR OF COACHING
This should be a suitably qualified coach who understands the age appropriate technical aspects of play. Their role will be to observe the organization and operation of the various stations. They should then offer support and guidance to each technical leader at the stations.
GROUP MANAGER
The Group Manager should meet with the players and allocate them to suitable groups upon their arrival. If the festival is part of an ongoing program, group selections will become important as your seek to ensure the players are encouraged to mix and match within the group selections in order to challenge their personal development. The Group Manager should also manage any group changes, if one group appears to have stronger players, or a player is required to leave the event early.
TECHNICAL LEADERS
ie. the Coaches. Support and instruct within your station. Strive to be engaging and allow players maximal playing time, by avoiding periods of "over instruction".
CHAPERONES
Chaperones will support the event by assisting young players in need of refreshment breaks or who are getting lost on the field. They should also be ready to support any parents and technical leaders in the delivery of the program.
Thank you for your commitment to support your Grassroots Program!
Ball Taps Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner Description
Ball Taps ORGANIZATION A simple warm-up activity that reinforces the virtues of physical literacy: agility, balance and coordination. Players line up on the first line and are instructed to perform a given number of ball taps (tapping the top of the ball with the bottom of the foot softly). Here the players should ensure the ball is just in front of their body and they remain balanced throughout, alternating between left and right feet. FOCUS Players should focus upon finding balance and rhythm within performing all the requested task sequences. PROGRESSIONS Progressions are to maneuver the ball forwards, (with a sequence of roll with the bottom of one foot, stop: with the bottom of the other). Once players are able to move forward encourage backwards and sideways movements. Further progressions include: Push with the top of one foot and stop with the same foot (bottom). Push with the top of one foot and stop with the bottom of the opposite foot.
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Traffic Lights Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Traffic Lights ORGANIZATION All the players play within a square that allows them sufficient space to dribble the ball freely and practice moves within the square.This is a coach led session to encourage dribbling and observation. The players are instructed to dribble the ball under control within the square. The coach starts the session by giving instructions of stop, go, and turn; to which the players must react to the call and perform the requested task. The coach may specify specific actions (i.e. stop the ball with a foot, knee or butt) or methods of turning with the ball. FOCUS The focus of the drill is dibbling and movement with the ball, but also observation while in possession. PROGRESSIONS A progression is to implement coloured markers instead of calls to initiate an action, so now the players need to push the ball slightly further out of their control, in order to observe the coach and his actions. For example a red cone - stop, blue cone - Cryuff turn, yellow cone - Maradona spin. This format may be used to introduce any numbers of new moves, but focus on no more than three moves per session.
Obstacle Course Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner
Description
Obstacle Course ORGANIZATION This is an organic drill and has few guidelines except imagination. Coaches should utilize any spare equipment they have and position it to form an obstacle course to challenge the players. The equipment could be used to present a relay race challenge (see above), or simply spread within a square so all the players are active and their ability is challenged throughout the session. The key is to lay the equipment out in a manner that challenges the players to use of both feet and a broader range of movements, stop, start, short long, fast, slow movements? FOCUS The focus should be to encourage players to be inventive and find their own way around the course. This may be to implement he number and method (technique) of touches on the ball. PROGRESSIONS Players could be challenged to compete individually or as part of a team. The obstacle course may even have challenges to lift the ball over or push under obstacles, such as hurdles?
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Running Ball Relays Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner
Description
Running Ball Relays ORGANIZATION Players are grouped into threes and placed with two players on one side and one on the other of a sufficient divide that encourages them to run at speed with the ball. Running the ball is to push the ball ahead of your stride with the top of the shoe. Players should seek to cover as much ground as possible with the fewest amount of touches. FOCUS Players should seek to run the ball smoothly in the sequence with efficiency, their touch should allow them adequate time to lift their head and make a clear observation of the game between touches. PROGRESSIONS Two suggested progressions 1. Include a slalom (figure of 8) dribble to encourage the players to recognize the importance of close control (dribble), loose control (running the ball). 2. Run with sudden turn station in the middle, so again the players are required to maintain control of the ball while executing two sharp turns and then exiting the final turn with speed...
AAlberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Baked Beanz Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Baked Beanz ORGANIZATION Players are placed in pairs and stand before two positioned cones. Then for this simple yet effective drill they are encouraged to maintain close dribbling on both feet whilst dribbling around and between the cones n a figure of 8 formation. Each pair is required to complete a two figure of 8 combination before passing the ball to their partner to repeat. FOCUS The obvious focus is upon close dribbling, but coaches should observe the players body shape as they move the ball and that the touches are gentle nudges to move the ball along. PROGRESSIONS The first condition is to allow the players to dribble through the sequence without any conditions, so they find their own way through. Once the players have executed this sequence hey should be challenged with the following conditions 1. Right foot only (inside and outside of the foot) 2. Left foot only (inside and outside of the foot) 3. Inside of both feet (left foot around one cone and right foot around the other) 4. Outside of both feet (left foot around one cone and right foot around the other) 5. Drag through - no conditions except when passing between the cones the player must drag the ball with the bottom of the shoe. The key is to change feet whenever passing between the two cones. A further challenge maybe to place a spare ball on the two cones and the players are conditioned to avoid knocking these off.
King/Queen of the Ring Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
King/Queen of the Ring ORGANIZATION Dependent upon the number of players, age and ability all the players are placed within the ring (square). The players commence the activity by simply dribbling within the ring, with the coach encouraging them to try new moves they may use within a game. Once warmed up and on the coaches command the game commences and the players are required to maintain possession of their ball, whilst attempting to challenge and 'knock' their opponents ball from the grid. If a player loses possession of the ball but retrieves it before it leaves the ring, then they are still permitted to play. The ball must be knocked from the ring, before the dis-possessed player is eliminated from the game. Players must maintain possession of the ball (shielding) and keep it moving at all times. They are not permitted to keep it guarded whilst standing statically in corners. The last player in the square is declared the winner. FOCUS This game has everything important within soccer, dribbling, shielding, challenging, team work and observation. PROGRESSIONS A further progression to this game is to condition the players to use just one foot, their right or left? The coach should challenge the winner to attempt to win a second game, this is very hard as the other players will 'gang' up on the king or queen.
Four Houses Category: Warm-ups Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Four Houses ORGANIZATION This drill takes place within a field layout similar to the diagram, so within a large square there is s central square to hold the balls and then four additional squares (houses) within which the teams are designated. The team task upon the coaches command, is to retrieve as many balls from the central zone to their home as quickly as possible. However only one player is permitted to leave their house at any given time. FOCUS This is a great team-building drill with the technical focus upon speed and many supplementary technical conditions, see Progressions. PROGRESSIONS Dependent upon the ability of the players, specific tasks may be placed upon the players whilst they retrieve the balls:. Example conditions 1. Carry the ball home (hands). 2. Dribble (feet) the ball home. 3. Perform ten ball taps before returning the ball home. 4. Perform 5 keep uppy's before returning the ball home. 5. Execute a specific turn before returning the ball home. The team that retrieves the most balls home is declared the winner. Then in a repeat challenge the players in the same race format (one at a time) return the balls to the central zone. So the team that retrieved the least amount of balls should have a game advantage?
Turn n Burn Category: Technical: Turning Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Turn n Burn ORGANIZATION The field is split into two equal halves with a dividing centre line. The players are position in pair across the grid from their partner. One player has the ball and on the coaches command of go, they dribble toward the centre line.On the coaches command of turn they must execute a turn of either the coaches choice or their favorite turn. The coach may request that players dribble out, turn towards the start and then turn back towards their opponent, several times over. On the coaches command of burn, the opponent without the ball will run across the field and challenge to win the ball before the ball carrier returns to the safety line at the beginning. The roles should be switched up to allow lots of repetitions FOCUS The focus of this fun drill is close control and dribbling with the ball under control and pressure from an opponent. PROGRESSIONS The coach will control the tempo of this session and may request many turns at the same time. A further organizational change is to have all the players performing the turns as commanded. Then to name the two teams with similar names (sharks and sparks). This time on the coaches command of one of the names, that team should leave their balls and try to steal the ball from their partners before they return to their safety zone.
Turning Technique Category: Technical: Turning Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Turning Technique ORGANIZATION This drill takes place either between two lines (5 yards apart) or within a 5 yard square. Players should work in pairs to allow adequate recovery period between each set of repetitions. On the coaches command the players simply dribble the ball across the square, crossing the opposite line and the execute a designated turn. This sequence is repeated for three turns, before the player returns to the start line, for their colleague to follow the same three turn sequence. FOCUS Besides executing the requested turn, players should focus upon gaining a low centre of gravity, letting the shoulders lead the turn and then enter the turn slowly before exiting with tempo. PROGRESSIONS Potential turns to instruct upon are; 1. Stop turn 2. Drag back 3. Outside hook 4. Inside hook 5. Stop, step and flip 6. Cruyff Turn 7. Step over turn Encourage players to attempt all turns with both feet. Then once they are comfortable you may include a competitive relay to encourage mastery of quicker executions.
Crazy Golf Category: Technical: Passing & Receiving Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Crazy Golf ORGANIZATION This drill can be made up randomly with any supporting equipment that is available. The equipment should be laid in a random order to create many small sized gates (again use random sizes and angles when making the holes). Players are then instructed to move around the golf course and putt as many holes as possible and in the quickest time. FOCUS The focus of this drill is to encourage accuracy and the weighting of a pass. If players hit their passes too hard they will do additional running, which will also slow down their times. PROGRESSIONS Coaching tip is to set the course out so the players are challenged to execute a wide variety of passing techniques (short/long and different angles). Players may also play as an individual or in pairs, so one player passes through the hole and the other receives it on the opposite side, before repeating the sequence. The game winners could be determined by time (quickest around the course) or accuracy completion of course in fewest passes.
Bingo Bango Bong Category: Technical: Passing & Receiving Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Bingo Bango Bong ORGANIZATION This is a fun team drill that combines passing and shooting. The field dimensions should be adapted to meet the needs and ability of the players and not reflective of the enclosed diagram. The players line up in a zig-zag formation and pass the ball across and down the line to the last player who must shoot on their first touch. Once the sequence is complete the shooter moves to the top of the line, to re-start the sequence, with all the players moving their position down the line. FOCUS The focus is one encouraging team play, passing and receiving and then finishing. PROGRESSIONS There are many conditions to challenge the players: 1. One touch 2. Two touch 3. Right/left foot only 4. For very good players a challenging condition is the ball must be played in the air only, hence aerial control. Where possible a session could have two sets of players competing against each other, so the first team to score wins.
Knock the Coach Off The Bench Category: Technical: Difficulty: Beginner
Passing
&
Receiving
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Knock the Coach Off The Bench ORGANIZATION The players work in pairs with one ball between them, and playing within an area that is appropriate for their age and ability. A ball is placed upon a cone between both players, where the theme is to pass the ball and knock this ball (coach) off the cone. Players score one point for every time they successfully knock the ball off the central cone. They should then replace the ball and repeat the sequence, until there is a winning team, within the time frame set by the coach. FOCUS The focus of this drill is to encourage accuracy before power in passing. If players rush they will not achieve an accurate aim. They should also be encouraged to use the inside of their foot for greater accuracy. Whilst considering how their body should be positioned in order to make the successful pass. PROGRESSIONS Conditions can be applied to players once they have established the game to challenge their development. The easiest progression is to vary the distance from the central ball. Other progressions include 1. Use inside of foot 2. Use right foot only 3. Use left foot only This game may be played between pairs of players or a coach may position themselves to observe the whole group and keep count of the teams scores as both teams compete against each other.
Shoot n Dribble Category: Technical: Shooting Difficulty: Beginner
Description
Shoot n Dribble ORGANIZATION This drill is set up with a number of goals and corresponding slalom course. The players are encouraged to race, dribbling the ball between the cones and finishing a with a strike on goal. Once a player has run through the dribble slalom and had their strike on goal, they should rotate positions with the goalkeeper, so every player has a go playing in goal. FOCUS The focus is upon encouraging soft dribbling skills, composure and finishing in a 1 v1 situation with a goalkeeper. PROGRESSIONS There are lots of conditions to consider when planning this session. 1. Straight race against an opponent. 2. Dribble with left/right foot 3. Shoot with left/right foot 4. Evade a pursuing defender
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Shooting Technique Category: Technical: Shooting Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
Shooting Technique ORGANIZATION This drill is set up as illustrated within the diagram, with a set of two cones marking a central goal and the two strikers positioned on either side of the goal. Dimensions should be appropriate to the age and ability of all the players. When the players shoot the service should be alternated on either side of the goal. This organization allows for a shot to be collected and shot from opposing ends if a goal is scored (avoiding unnecessary ball retrieval). If a goalkeeper makes a save they should seek to serve the ball to the opposite end. FOCUS The coach should be conversant with the correct shooting technique and ask the players to focus upon accuracy before power. Encourage good habits to drive the ball low and to the corners of the goal. Players should also regularly rotate positions, one supportive rule is the first player to score three goals wins and so must go in goal. PROGRESSIONS Players may initially start the drill will a static ball but they should be encouraged to challenge their development by implementing the following conditions: Roll the ball forward and strike while it is moving. Roll the ball across your body and shoot on an angle. Goalkeepers serves the ball on the floor for a first time shot Goalkeeper serves the ball in the air for an aerial control and shot, or first time volley. Strike the ball with alternate feet A supporting server maybe added to each end to serve the ball to the striker who starts with his back towards the goal, or to the side, the focus here is to encourage the striker to play a first time shot with a moving ball.
US Penalty Shoot-Out Category: Technical: Shooting Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
US Penalty Shoot-Out ORGANIZATION This is a shooting drill and the field should reflect the template, with the dimensions being adapted to meet the needs and ability of the players. The game is set up with two goal-keepers and opposing strikers. You will need sufficient balls to keep the drill flowing. The strikers start by standing at their start (blue) line with the ball positioned on the centre line. On the coaches command the strikers race towards their ball and attempt to score in the opposing goal before their opponent. FOCUS The focus for the strikers is upon speed and decision making, should they choose to shoot first time or dribble to the goal. An initial stage of the drill may be to play with smaller goals and no goal-keepers to challenge the players accuracy on goal. PROGRESSIONS Further progressions may be to start the strikers in various positions to challenge their speed and agility - for example, they may start by laying on their fonts or backs, or perform a somersault before racing towards the ball? The drill may also offer a greater challenge if one of the balls is taken out, so now the players must compete for just one ball.
One Goal Numbers Category: Technical: Shooting Difficulty: Beginner
Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans
Description
One Goal Numbers ORGANIZATION. This is a competitive shooting drill that is based around a goal and penalty area. The dimensions though should be adapted to meet the age and ability of the players The two teams are lined on the edge of the playing area and each player is designated a number (in this case 1-4). If possible match the players sizes and abilities with a corresponding player number on the opposite team. On the coaches call of a random number, the designated number from each team will then race from their starting position, around the cones and in through the central channel, where there is a ball waiting. The players then challenge each other and elect as to dribble or shoot on the goalkeeper. Once a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, that game concludes and the session is reset for the next game (coach to call another number). FOCUS The obvious focus is upon shooting, but could also be upon speed, changing direction and also shielding the ball. The key focus is accuracy before power in the execution. PROGRESSIONS There are various adaptations to make this drill more fun and challenging, some examples are: Request the players perform a novel (somersault) action before starting their run. Coach serves the ball into play with an aerial ball. Players must shoot with the opposite foot from the side they run, so if approaching the ball from the right, they should shoot with their left foot. The field maybe lengthened and more than one number may be called at a time.