The Set-up: Divide team into two groups (Red &White) with each group having all players in a line with balls with the exception of one player that stands approximately 5 yards away and facing his/her group without a ball. An additional disc is placed at the top of the penalty box arc.

The Game: When the coach (or the keeper) calls go. The first player in each line passes the ball to his/her teammate. The white player prepares the ball and shoots as quickly as he can.  The red player receives the ball and immediately dribbles around the disc at the top of the arc and takes on the white player (shooter) in a “live 1v1” to goal. The passers now move forward to the open disc and face their line.

Rotation options: 

1. switch lines after every turn
2. teams switch roles after every 4 minutes (make it a competition by keeping score)

Variation: Players in line have the ball in their hands and toss the ball to their teammate.  This will increase the difficulty level of the reception.

The Set-up: Create a small field approximately the length of the penalty area x 12 to 15 yards wide. Place mini goals on each end-line. Divide team into two groups (Red &White) with each group having all players in a line with balls. The red group stands approximately 25 yards from and facing the big goal. The white group starts directly behind the goal (if there isn’t space-adjust the starting position). An additional disc is placed along the sideline a few yards from the end line.

The Game: When the keeper or coach calls go. The first player in each line begins dribbling the ball. The red player shoots the ball as he approaches the top of the penalty box. The white player dribbles the ball at speed around the disc placed along the sideline and takes on the red player (shooter) in a “live 1v1” to mini-goals.

Rotation options: 

1. switch lines after every turn
2. teams switch roles after every 4 minutes (make it a competition by keeping score)

Focus:

• Proper shooting technique
• Dribbling at speed
• 1v1 attacking & defending
• Shot stopping (goal keeper)

The Set-up:

Balls should begin with the goalkeepers.

This exercise works best with 10 to 12 players.

The Exercise: When the coach yells Go!  The first player in each line sprints into the square and “opens up” into a wide position in their lower right hand box.

Note: When the player moves from the central square to the lower corner square, they should begin to position their body in a way that they can begin to see the field.

The goalkeeper distributes the ball firmly along the ground to the players “front foot”.

The player now dribbles the ball at speed toward the opposite goal and takes a shot.  The shot should be taken prior to the player being in line with the lower line of the central box.

Focus:

• Proper movement when “opening up”
• Receiving
• Running at speed
• Finishing
• Goal keeper distribution
• Shot stopping

Progression below

The Set up: Same, but now all the players in line have a ball at their feet.

The Exercise: Same as the initial exercise, but now the players must dribble into the central square, perform a sharp turn, pass the ball to the keeper prior to “opening up”.

This will force the keeper to deal with a back pass and distribute with their feet.

Additional Coaching point: As the player moves from the central to the lower corner box and the goalkeeper is playing them the ball, ask that they look over their shoulder to the goal that they are going to be attacking.  “Can you take a look at the space you’re looking to attack next before the ball arrives?”

This is a great habit for the player to develop!

The Set-up: (as pictured) 2 goals, several discs, plenty of balls. Break players into two groups. Lines begin about 10 yards from the “playing area”. Playing area should be app. 25 yards long x 30 yards wide.

The Exercise: When the coach yells GO! The first player in each line begins their movement.

• The player in Red dribbles at speed into the playing area and takes a shot on goal. After shooting the ball, Red should turn quickly to defend white in a 1v1. (pictured below)
• The first white player weaves his/her way through a series of discs and enters the field to take on Red in a 1v1 to goal.

Focus:

• Dribbling at speed
• Dribbling under control
• Shooting from distance
• 1v1 Attacking
• 1v1 Defending
• Transition

This exercise is best when you have 12 to 14 players.

If you enjoy this exercise Coach Donahue recommends:

The Exercise:

1. Player A passes to Player B and moves around the outside disc
2. Player B drops the ball at a forward diagonal for Player A to run onto
3. Player A serves the ball into the box for 2 forward runners.
4. Player B would now move to the end of the line.
5. Player A would assume the position occupied by Player B.
6. Player C now plays to Player D, follows the same pattern as players A&B.

Note: There should be 6 players to serve as runners into the box. This keeps the exercise going and also has the central players receiving balls for the different sides of the field.

Focus: Coach needs to make sure the players on the outside vary their service.

• Do we serve far post, near post?
• Driven or floated?
• Timing of the runs’ from the strikers.
• Can we be crisp in our passing and Movement on the outside?

The Game: Play for 3 minutes, switch roles of red and whites. Allow players to have two rotations in each area. You can keep score to make it competitive. If you add one defender, ask him/her to mark one of the strikers. This will force the server to get his/her head up and recognize which player is open.

If you enjoy this exercise Coach Donahue recommends:

The Set-up: (as pictured) one goal, several balls, and six discs to mark out the players starting positions. The circuit works best if you have 12 to 14 players.

The Exercise:

1. Player A passes the ball to Player B and moves forward to support.
2. B drops the ball into the path of oncoming A and spins away.
3. A passes the ball to C.
4. C drops the ball at an angle for the oncoming B.
5. C should now spin away and head to goal.
6. B shoots the ball with C positioned for any rebound.

Rotation:

1. C collects the ball and runs (around the outside of the circuit) back to the red line.
2. B now takes up the position that was initially occupied C, A takes up B’s former position.
3. The White line should begin the same movement once the red player has shot the ball.

Coach can make it competitive by playing for 5 minutes and asking the both teams to count how many goals they’ve scored. Hand out a fun punishment for the losing team.

Variation:

The Exercise:

1. Player A dribbles the ball toward Player B as if they were to perform a “take-over”, but instead passes the ball directly to C.
2. B should immediately move to support C once A plays the ball forward.
3. C drops the ball at an angle (inside) for the oncoming B.
4. C should now spin away and head to goal.
5. B shoots the ball with C positioned for any rebound.

Rotation:

1. C collects the ball and runs (around the outside of the circuit) back to the red line.
2. B now takes up the position that was initially occupied C, A takes up B’s former position.
3. The White line should begin the same movement once the red player has shot the ball.

If you enjoy this exercise Coach Donahue recommends:

The Exercise: Red drives the ball with his instep (laces) through two discs or flags to grey, white should initially serve as a passive goalie and become more active as the exercise progresses. Red and White would then switch positions. Grey should immediately prepare the ball as quickly as possible and accurately drive the ball between the 2 discs “guarded” by Red. Grey and White would now switch positions. Exercise continues.

Possible Variations: Ask the goalie to be fully active, ask the players to drive the ball along the ground, ask players to chip the person in the middle. Ask players to land on their kicking foot (follow through).

Coach should focus on Proper Technique for instep:

• Toe down & ankle locked.
• Head should remain steady as you strike the ball.
• Placement foot should be facing your partner.

Observe how the players’ approach the ball. It shouldn’t be a straight line, instead a slightly angled approach similar to that of a field goal kicker.

Note: the players are in different colors simply to enhance the explanation, although you may want to have the players in different colors if you progress to exercises that involve three teams. If you have a group of 4 players, have the extra player start behind the player who initially has the ball, this will help keep the rotation moving smoothly.

The Set-up: Groups of Five. Create a 40 x 20 yard field with a goal (marked out with discs or flags) in the middle of the area. One player serves as the goalkeeper, 2 players on each side of the goal. 4 balls per group.

Exercise 1: Player A begins by dribbling toward B, A makes a quick pass and moves to support. B drops the ball into the path of the oncoming A. A shoots the ball. Once the shot has been taken the goalie should turn and the same movement will occur from C&D (pictured in Red). Repeat, but now B would assume the role of A.

Focus:

• All movements should be carried out at speed.
• Crisp wall pass
• Keeping shots on target

Exercise 2: Player C dribbles slightly inward, this will open up space for D to attack. D makes a fast “over-lapping” run behind C. C now plays the ball into the path of D. D shoots the ball. Once the shot has been taken the goalie should turn and the same movement will occur from A&B (pictured in White). Repeat, but now D would assume the role of C.

Focus:

• All movements should be carried out at speed.
• Proper Over-lapping run
• Keeping shots on target

Exercise 3: Player A dribbles at speed toward the end-line. As A gets close to the line, he/she should drop the ball slightly back at an angle toward the oncoming B. B who had trailed the play should try to “finish” with one touch. Once the shot has been taken the goalie should turn and the same movement will occur from C&D (pictured in Red). Repeat, but now B would assume the role of A.

Focus:

• All movements should be carried out at speed.
• Running with the ball & passing on the move
• Finishing with one touch

If you enjoy this exercise Coach Donahue recommends:

The Set-up: Field is a double penalty box. (36yards long x 44 yards wide)

The Game: Two teams are positioned on opposite sides of the goal. The exercise begins with the goalkeeper rolling the ball out into the path of the first player in line on the red team. The first player in the white line sprints out immediately when the goal keeper releases the ball.

• Player in Red should look to attack the goal immediately.
• The goalkeeper should role the ball at a forward angle to encourage the attacker to shoot as quickly as possible.
• The more touches red takes the better the chance of the white defender to disrupt the attack.
• Goalkeepers should be in constant communication with the defender. “Force him wide”, “tackle”, “Be Patient”, etc.

Note: If the goalkeeper makes a save. The white player should immediately look to attack the opposite goal. The Red player must quickly transition to defend. If a quick counter is “not on” the goalie should put the ball at his feet and white must work to get open.

Off-sides is in play in the attacking half of the field! Each team should attack/defend for 3 minutes.

2nd Phase:

The Game: The defender is now positioned closer to the attacker and on his outside.

This will:

• Put the attacker under more pressure.
• Force the attacker to keep his body between the defender and the ball.
• GK’s outlet should be a bit more central to lead the attacker away from the oncoming defender
• Both GK’s should be in constant communication with the field players.

Note: Again, if the goalkeeper makes a save. The white player should immediately look to attack the opposite goal. The Red player must quickly transition to defend. If a quick counter is “not on” the goalie should put the ball at his feet and white must work to get open.

The success rate of the initial attack should drop from the first activity.

3rd Phase:

The Game: The defender is now placed to the front and outside the attacker.

This will:

• Eliminate the possibility of the breakaway.
• Force the GK to outlet the ball more laterally to the initial attacker.
• Make the attacker beat a defender through deception and speed.
• Defending goalkeeper can be more commanding to his defender on where to force the attack and when to challenge for the ball.
• If the defender wins the ball can he counter immediately.

Note: Coach should encourage the initial attacker to seize the initiative by running at the defender with speed. All the same rules apply, as in the previous exercises, if a save is made.

Final Phase:

The Game: Players start side by side. Movement begins with Red breaking to the middle followed closely by White.

This will:

• Add the element of shielding.
• Force the attacker to turn and “face up” to the opponent or play back to the goalkeeper and move off the ball.
• The GK’s ability to play with his feet will now become very important.
• Defender will now need to decide how far up to defend. The higher up the more space you leave exposed behind you.
• The defending GK must adjust his positioning to deal with the space between he and his defender.

Note: All the rules of the game in the initial phase still apply. The level of success for the attacking team will be greatly reduced from the initial phase.

If you enjoy this exercise Coach Donahue recommends:

Set-up: half-field, goal, several balls, a few discs.

The Exercise:

1. Player A “runs with the ball” (dribbling at speed), Player A shoots the ball as he approaches the penalty box. Once Player A shoots the ball, he moves back toward player B.
2. Player B now dribbles and passes the ball to Player A.
3. Player A passes the ball (one-two) into the path of player B.
4. Player B shoots the ball.
5. Player A and Player B now crisscross positions (not pictured) to receive a cross from Player C. Player C should allow for A and B to change positions before delivering the cross.

Focus:

• Dribbling at speed
• Shooting
• Precise Passing
• Quality Crossing

Variation:

1. Add a defender in the penalty area to apply various levels of pressure.
2. Change the location of the crossing line to the left side.

Rotation: Coach should rotate the lines every 3 or 4 minutes.

If you enjoy this exercise Coach Donahue recommends: