With the Under 9 and up, they are more inclined to pass
then with the younger age groups. Much of this session indirectly
concentrates on getting the players to spread out in order to give themselves
space and time to receive the ball. In addition to the usual dribbling skills
(this week we show them the Cruyff), we will also introduce some passing and
receiving skills. Although the techniques are important, getting them to get
their heads up in order to see the criteria for making good decisions is just as
important.
This proves to be a very difficult task based upon the unpredictable manner the ball bounces off the floor. Therefore, the players must give themselves enough space and time in order to regain possession of the ball. Thus, the action ball forces the players to spread out in order to receive long passes and get enough space and time to receive the ball without an opponent intercepting the ball before or after the bounce.
This is a rather exhausting game and the players will
quickly warm up. At this time, give them a break by reviewing last week's V
moves and introducing the Cruyff dribbling skills.
Gate Passing Game
Set up a number of gates. Gates are just small goals create with cones placed randomly around the playing area. Have the players pair up with one ball between each pair.
The object of each of the activities below is to visit as
many gates as possible. A gate is visited by a pair by one player in the pair
passing the ball through the gate to their partner on the other side of the
gate.
^
^ ^
Xo
^
X
Xo
^
^
^
^
^
^
X
^
X
^
^
^
Xo
^
^
^
X
Xo
^
Team in the middle
Divide the group of players up into small teams. The number
of teams may be a multiple of three or two depending upon what works out for
you. I will show two diagrams with two teams and one with three
teams.
THREE TEAM DIAGRAM
^ ^ ^ ^
X Y
Y oZ
^ ^ ^ ^
X
Y Z^ ^ ^ ^
X Z
X Y
Z
^ ^ ^ ^
TWo TEAM DIAGRAMEach group of players must stay within their zones and may not go out of bounds. The idea is for one group of players in one zone to pass the ball over to the players two zones over. On the three team version above, this means X is trying to pass to Z without Y intercepting the pass. Similar in the two team version, X is trying to pass to X while Y is trying to pass to Y.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Y
X Y
Y oX Y
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
X
Y X^ ^ ^ ^ Y ^
X X
X Y
X Y
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Instruct the players to always keep the ball moving. They
may pass the ball to anybody within their own zone, but the ball cannot stop
within their own zone.
Move the groups of
players between the zones to change up their positions. On the three team
version this is a requirement. On the two team version, the team in the middle
is always do the intercepting, so you want to give both groups a chance at
this.
Three Color Dutch Game
This is the main game of this practice session. Whenever the ratio of players is always two against one, their is always a nice advantage to the larger number for success, but the advantage is not enough to assure success. The Three Color Dutch Game is a two to one advantage. Divide your group up into three teams and designate each team with a different color penny or playing vest.
This game is a simple keep away game with three teams. There is always one team which is defending and trying to get the ball, while the other two teams are playing keep away. The space may be limited with boundaries if you choose. The smaller the space, the less space and time to make decisions. If you are not getting enough success, check out the dimensions of your space. If you are getting to much success, you may shrink your space or you may limit the number of touches any player can have prior to passing the ball to another. Whenever a team losses possession, the team that cause the loss in possession is the new defending team and the other two teams play keep away.
I have been successful at playing this game with the U9 groups, but I also must admit that I have not been successful with U10 players with poor ability to pass the ball. To help with the competition, you can keep score. Every three consecutive passes without an interception is a point for the two teams in possession.
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Warn Down: Homework Dribbling
Review the dribbling skills covered at the beginning of the
session.