Although we are reviewing the inside and outside chops, the new dribbling skills this week, Matthew and Lunge, may be used to set up a side shot. Since we have the walls in our indoor training environment, we will take the opportunity to combine the dribbling skills with an introduction to proper shooting technique. The walls will provide for repetitive demonstrations and practices. In keeping with our current progression, we will continue with the 1 vs 1 over the next two sessions.
Let me quickly add that there is not a lot of creativity in the practice sessions over the next three weeks. Most of the games and activities may be quite familiar to you already. This is not to say we will not provide the players with a variety of activities. However, each activity is relatively simple to learn with the hope that maybe the players will start organizing their own warm-up games as they come in instead of just running around. At first, you may have to encourage this, but don't be surprised if, after a few weeks, you are interrupting their game in order to start the formal portion of the training session.
In addition, familiarity with the activities over the next
few weeks should not imply contempt. The activities are well know and they
are successful. After all, if it isn't broken, why fix it? These are all
proven activities.
This may seem like a lot of moves and it is. Therefore, make sure you leave enough time for introducing shooting techniques. Each of the above moves can be used to set up the shot, that, in turn, can be used as preparation for shooting the ball against the wall or set of targets. Allow the players to practice their moves in free space near a wall. They should use the wall as a shooting surface where they will receive their shot off the ball and quickly touch to another position along one of the other walls to repeat the practice move and shot.
Watch your players at this age. Some groups may be able to handle the technical sessions a little better than others. Once you feel they have had their fill, introduce them to Slam.
Slam is a game that is usually played with a backboard or shooting board. We will use the walls of the indoor environment as our backboards. Slam may be played with two or more players. However, since Slam is an elimination game, lets try to keep our games at about four players.
Set up goals along portions of the wall that are about three yards apart. Give each player in the group a number, sequence, or order they will follow. Each player takes a turn shooting the ball against the wall at the goal. As the ball rebounds off the ball, the next player shoots and attempts to get a goal. You may, at first allow the players to have two touches to set up and shoot the ball. As they get better, you may reduce this to one touch only. Another restriction on the one touch rule is that the ball must be shot before is stops moving.
If at any time, a player is not able to shoot the ball
within the required maximum number of touches or if they miss the goal, they are
eliminated. The game continues until all players but one is eliminated. This
player is the winner. Let me again repeat that we want to keep the number
of players in each of the Slam groups to about four because of the elimination
characteristic of the game. Repeat the game. Also, don't be afraid to
participate with the players in this one as well. They may teach you a few
tricks.
One vs One with a Keeper
Get the players into groups of three with a ball. Set up a central goal with cones about three yards apart. One player is the keeper and stays between the cones, but may use their hands. The other players play against each other and attempt to score by shooting the ball past the keeper between the cones. A score may come from either side and at any angle. The game is continuous, even after a score. The keeper may catch or stop a ball and is instructed to restart the play by randomly serving the ball lightly in any direction.
Let the two players play for a fixed amount of time, then
switch one player to the keeper position and allow the keeper to be the new
field player. Continue this game until each player has had two or four
turns on the field.
Here we want the players to attempt to get their heads up
while dribbling and look for the goal which is easiest to score upon. With
the older players, they will usually spread themselves out and pass across the
field in order to change the point of attack. However, since we are
concentrating on dribbling, do not be surprised if the players' first choice is
to dribble to the open goal and this is exactly what we want them to do with
their newly acquired skills
and confidence
with the ball. Encourage them to shoot as soon as possible.
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Warn Down: Homework Dribbling
Have the players practice the Snake, Matthew, and Lunge.
Before they leave, give them an opportunity to set up a few shots using one or
more of these moves. Let them show you which is their current
favorite.