Training - Saturday, Feb 24

8:15AM - 8:45AM FIT Training

Igor Figure 8s

Setup
- Players work in pairs with one ball between the two of them
- Each pair has two cones/disks spaced 2 yards apart
- One partner works while the other one serves, server has the ball

Procedure
(1) Server serves to worker who uses one of the specified techniques to get the ball back to the server's hands.

(2) Immediately after sending the ball back to the server, the worker (who always faces forward) backpedals in between the two disks, goes around the back disk, comes back through the middle of the two disks to work on the opposite side of the front disk

(3) Server serves to the worker on the opposite side of the front disk

- Workers work for 45 seconds then partners switch roles

Skills Variations

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  •  
    • Inside of the Foot Volleys
    • Instep Volleys
    • Headers
    • Jumping Headers

Make It Competitive
How many successful touches can you get in 45 seconds?  Successful means the server can catch the ball.

Coaching Points
- Small, quick steps around the back disk.  Meaning, probably four or five quick little steps to get around the back disk as opposed to one or two large steps

- Focus on the technique towards the end of the 45 seconds when you're tired

Monkey In The Tree

10 x 30 Yard Sprints

6 x 10 yard Sprints

8:45AM - 9:15AM Video Analysis

We finally got through the Euro 2004 DVD (analyzing all the goals of the Euro 2004 Championships).  I've got to go find another DVD.

9:15AM - 10:45AM Field Training

I. Ball Masters Program

• Fake Pass Slap
• Fake Shot Stutter
• Fake Shot Scissors
• Fake Shot Cut

II. Diagonal Runs - 40 Yards Out

I want to start focusing on being dynamic in our attacking play with the introduction of diagonal runs.  This is a simple drill that I ran the girls through that featured a ton of repetition and fun (as the girls were finishing with shots on goal).

Setup
- Two teams of 8 players each
- 2 wide starting disks 40 yards out from goal.  Each team's soccer balls with the players at these wide starting disks
- 2 other starting disks 15 yards past the wide disks (55 yards out from goal)
- I used two of the dome trash cans as dummy defenders and also marked an 18-yard box with disks

Procedure
(1) Blue 1 passes the ball to Green1 to start Green's sequence

(2) Green 1 controls the ball and looks up to find Green 2

(3) Green 2 makes a diagonal run towards the center of the field to receive a through pass from Green 1

(4) As soon as Green 2 touches the ball, Green 3 passes to Blue 2 to begin Blue's sequence (Blue 1 makes a diagonal run to receive a pass from Blue 2)

Players switch lines with their teammates after each turn

Make It Competitive
+1 point for each goal
+2 points for each goal the the GK does not get a hand to (touch)

Coaching Points
- Firm pass by set up players to passing player, can players recognize where to play the initial pass so that the passer can play quickly?
- Good first touch by passing player and the subsequent through pass should lead the runner (be played into the space in front of the runner)
- Diagonal runner must time their diagonal run in order to sprint for the pass (to lose marking defenders) while not overrunning the play

III. Diagonal Runs - 25 Yards Out

Setup
- Same as above, except wide disks are 25 yards out from goal

Procedure
(1) Blue 1 passes the ball to the space in front of Green1 to start Green's sequence

(2) Green 2, realizing a one touch is "on" (possible) starts their run early and demands the ball from Green 1

(3) Green 1 plays a 1-touch through pass to the space immediately in front of Green 2 

(4) As soon as Green 2 gets their shot off, Green 3 passes to Blue 2 to begin Blue's sequence (Blue 1 makes a diagonal run to receive a 1-touch pass from Blue 2)

Players switch lines with their teammates after each turn

Make It Competitive
+1 point for each goal
+2 points for each goal the the GK does not get a hand to (touch)

Coaching Points
- Recognition from the runner that a 1-touch pass is possible
- A flatter diagonal run, more lateral than forward
- Demanding of the pass both verbally ("Through!") and visually (the run makes the pass)
- Firm through pass more to the runner's feet as space in the box is tight (this is opposed to the pass into space in the first exercise above)
- Possible one time finishes by the runners

IV. 3v2+1 to Goal

Same exercise we did a few days ago (see Journal Training - Tuesday, Feb 20), now with the additional knowledge of diagonal runs.

V. 7v7 Small Sided Scrimmage