PRACTICE AGENDAS

MANCHESTER UNITED, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

 

SKULL SESSION

 

(Objectives – Provide very broad overviews of football rules, player positions, examples of

 

player position deployments, how the game is played and strategies for keeping shape.)

 

I. Rules of the Game (10 Minutes) – Start of play, no hands, ball in and out of play,

 

scoring, offside, free kicks (direct and indirect), corner kicks, goalie kicks, throw-ins,

 

goalkeeper back pass, discretionary yellow cards and red cards, penalty kicks.

 

II. Positions (5 Minutes) – Keep it simple: defenders or “backs”, midfielders, forwards.

 

Tell them there are numerous names for specialist positions (e.g., striker, center midfielder,

 

fullbacks), but we are keeping it simple.

 

III. Team Formations - Position Deployment (5 Minutes) – Explain how as they get

 

older, their teams will be allowed to have more players on the field up to 11 when they get

 

big. Explain how a team of 8 can be deployed by a coach (e.g., 2-3-2, 2-2-3, 3-3-1, etc.).

 

Explain why a coach might change deployment. Remind them that with more players on the

 

field, the deployment changes. For example, with 4-4-2 (and a goalkeeper) as the classic

 

team formation.

 

IV. How the Game Is Played (5 Minutes) – Keep it very simple. Generally try to hold

 

the team shape (i.e., the general team formation) and move into open space to receive passes

 

while remaining onside. Passing is better than dribbling unless you are wide open and can

 

take the ball and go without losing it. Defenders keep the ball away from the center of the

 

field and clear it to the sides if there is any uncertainty. Attacking players turn the ball

 

outside, race it downfield then “cross” or center it toward teammates converging on the goal

 

mouth.

 

V. Techniques for Attacking (5 Minutes) – Attack fast to surprise the other team;

 

throw-in quickly; when your team steals the ball from the other team, midfielders and

 

forwards should move downfield toward the goal as fast as possible to press the attack.

 

Defenders can move up, but should stay on their half of the pitch. Attackers must stay

 

onside, but try to move into open space to receive passes. If the attackers have the ball wide,

 

cross it to the center to teammates for the shot.

 

2

 

DRILL SESSION

 

(Objectives – Instill sufficient confidence in basic skills to make players more competitive

 

toward controlling the ball, more aggressive in tackling and better positioned to transition

 

from defending to attacking.)

 

I. Basics of Tackling (15 Minutes) – First show the players the prepared diagrams and

 

explain the basics of three fundamental types of tackles (block, poke and slide). Explain

 

there are other types, but should focus on block and poke for now. Explain risks of tripping

 

and direct kick penalty on a slide tackle. Pair players up as attackers and defenders. Have

 

attackers take it very, very easy – not trying to “win” a challenge. Let the defenders practice

 

block tackle first (then switch). Switch again and have attackers “shield” while defenders

 

practice poke tackles.

 

II. Competitive Challenges (15 Minutes) – Split team in half in two single file lines

 

with lead player in each line facing each other about 30 yards apart. Coach in center tosses

 

ball into air. The moment the ball touches the ground – and not before – the two players

 

facing each other sprint for the ball to control it. The first player to control it then dribbles in

 

the center area and shields while the other player tries to strip the ball with a block tackle or a

 

poke tackle until the coach says stop. Can create two such lines with two coaches running

 

identical drills for more involvement.

 

III. Quick Transition (15 Minutes) – Two teams on “mini-field” with single “cone goal”

 

at one end. Spread the teams out along the goal line, but pair players from opposite teams.

 

One pair will be the central pair. The ball is placed at the other end of the mini-field in front

 

of the central pair. On “go,” all players sprint to the end of the mini-field holding their

 

“shape” (i.e., remaining spread out in a line sprinting together). The central pair will be

 

challenging each other for the ball. When one of the central pair is successful in controlling

 

the ball, that player’s “team” becomes the attacking team and heads to goal. The other team

 

becomes the defending team. The attacking team must make three passes before shooting.

 

The defending team tries to dispossess. Play continues until a goal or until stopped by coach.

 

(Switch central pairs and repeat.)

 

IV. Scrimmage (15 Minutes) – Split into two teams with no goalies. Explain that

 

players should use what they have just learned. Scrimmage for fifteen minutes while coaches

 

reaffirm the earlier lessons.

 

 

MANCHESTER UNITED, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

 

(Objective – Work on fundamental skills while assessing the players to position them for the

 

first game of the season later in the afternoon.)

 

I. Warmups and Passing Drills (10 Minutes) – Dribble through cones; toe taps;

 

partner passing

 

II. Speed Dribbling (10 Minutes) – Line of pairs, one behind the other. Front player

 

has ball roughly at midfield line. Coach shouts “Go”. Front player sprints toward goal line,

 

dribbling ball as fast as possible while maintaining control. Coaches immediately says “One

 

One Thousand. Go!” second player becomes defender sprinting after player with the ball

 

trying to take the ball. NO SLIDE TACKLES. If front player gets across the end line with

 

the ball, gets one point. Switch spots and repeat until each player has speed dribbled and also

 

defended speed dribbling three times. Tally up points.

 

III. Possession (10 Minutes) – Split into two teams on half a field. Objective is to teach

 

staying spread out and using distance passing rather than dribbling to move the ball around.

 

Give one team the ball and have them play “keep away” while the defending team tries to

 

force a turnover either by stealing the ball or forcing the possessing team to play it out of

 

bounds. Competition between two teams as to how long each possesses the ball.

 

IV. Goalie Drills (10 Minutes) – Practice Straight-Ons, Tweeners, Head-Highs, Leaps,

 

Dive Forward and Punch / Bat. Demonstrate Attacking Distributions.

 

V. Scrimmage (10 Minutes) – Split into two teams with no goalies. Scrimmage for ten

 

minutes to assess skills further.

 

Extra Drills if Time Permits:

 

A. Shielding Skills – Partner in pairs in 12 x 12 areas. One dribbles and shields while

 

the other applies passive pressure. Switch.

 

B. Shooting:

Instep Drive

Shot – Partner in pairs and place in two lines 30 yards apart.

 

One rolls the ball to the other who lifts, locks and “laces” the ball back, not for power but for

 

accuracy. Repeat several times then switch.