Pleasant Hills Soccer Association
Summer Session, July 1 - July 6, 2002

`Receiving Balls From the Air with Chest and Thigh (Under 8's)`

Suggested summer session for week 1 of U8's. The theme of the summer session is "Its in the Air" and receiving a ball out of the air using the chest, thigh, and combinations of chest and thigh are within this summer theme.

`Warmup: Goal on the Move`

The coach and a helper use a pole, swim pool noodle, some vest tied together, or whatever it takes to string a goal between them that they will walk around with. Each player has a ball and attempts to score on the moving (or sometimes stationary) goal formed by the coach and his helper.

The coach and helper move around in free space, while the players try to kick their ball between them to score. From time to time, the coaches should be stationary in order to give the players some success.

>From time to time, the coaches can move quickly to another area or space so the player can attempt to follow with their soccer ball.

Here's where things get a little different. Upon the coach's command of "LIMBO", everyone lines up with their ball, kicks their ball through the goal between the coaches, and them they must chase their ball through the goal only by first doing a limbo under the goal. A limbo means, no hands, arched back, feet first. What we are trying to do here is prepare the players for arching their backs slightly. Do the "LIMBO" command inter-mixed with the other two items above.

`Activity in Pairs:`

Have the players pair up with one ball between and approximately three yards apart. The players will serve the ball to one another in the air so they can attempt to do the following:

Sever the ball some high so their partner can attempt to touch the ball up with their thigh.

DEMONSTRATION: Have one of the players serve a ball up for the coach to demonstrate the chest touch on a ball to the ground. This require a slight arching of the back, preparation of the flat surface of the chest just under the chin, and a soft touch using the hips and back to direct the ball to the ground.

Have the players try this with their partner. The technique will be challenging to the players. Do not try to correct technique. We are only trying to introduce and expose the players to this. Challenge them to try it for themselves and give your attention to all the players that try to show you with a "Watch me, Coach!"

`Game Related: Serve, Receive, and Catch`

Divide the players into two or more teams with two teams playing at a time with one ball between the two teams. This game is a game of hand ball, the players use their hands to pass the ball between them. Each player is allowed five steps to move in order to pass the ball with a hand service to a member of his team.

The team in possession of the ball attempts to score by serving the ball to a teammate in the air. In order to score, the teammate must receive the ball with either their thigh or chest to the ground and quickly get the next touch on the ball while its on the ground. The coach must keep a close watch on the ball and recognize the team that is possession each time the ball drops to the ground. If the teammate is successful, the coach gives them a point and the player immediate picks the ball up to continue the game.

The team that is not in possession may use any regular soccer means to attempt to cause the other team to drop the ball to from a catch or a takeaway the ball before the player with an attempted chest or thigh ball can make a second touch. This game is played in free space. Let them play for a while before swapping a new team in if there are more than two teams.

`Game: Regular two goal game of soccer`

`Warm down: Chest to thigh or multi-thigh challenge`

Have each player get a ball and stand in place. Have them toss the ball up and receive it off their thigh followed by a catch. Next have them toss the ball up and see if they can receive it off their chest and then immediately off their thigh. See if anybody can successfully.