Free Footie Skill Station Guide 2014

FUNdamentals SOCCER FESTIVAL

STATION GUIDE FOR TECHNICAL LEADERS

AND COACHES

2 FUNdamentals Soccer Festival: Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans

FREE FOOTIE PROGRAM OUTLINE: Time Activity Location

8.30-10.30AM INTRODUCTION AND THEORY MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM

10.30-NOON SKILL STATION DEVELOPMENT FIELD HOUSE

1.00-3.00 FESTIVAL PROGRAM FIELD HOUSE

Draft School Program for Six Weeks of Themed Sessions

***Three Stations per Week with an 8-10 Minute Rotation.

Topic Theme

Week 1 Ball Familiarity Self Expression

a. Ball Taps b. Traffic Lights (moves) c. Obstacle Course

Week 2 Running Ball and Dribbling Intuition

a. Run relay b. Baked Beanz c. King of the Ring

Week 3 Turns Decision making

a.Four Houses b. Turn n Burn c. Technique: Cruyff

Stop, Step, Flip

Week 4 Passing Sharing

a. Crazy golf b. Bingo Bango Bong c. Knock the Coach Off the Bench

Week 5 Shooting Confidence

a. Dribbling to shoot b. Shooting tech c. Penalty shoot out (US)

Week 6 Players choice Live with a free spirit: Fun

a. King of the Ring b. One goal - numbers c. Skills Square

Develop teacher/coach feedback form.

APPENDIX: COACHING TOOLS TO ASSIST THE PLANNING OF YOUR EVENT

PLAYER TO STATION RATIO The following tables present a calculation of the player:station ratio for planning your event

These calculations reflect each of the three festival formats (skill stations, games or a combined festival) and accommodate eight players per station (based upon a 4 v 4 game format) within a weekly or twice weekly program.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY FORMATS FOR AN 8 WEEK PROGRAM

FESTIVAL FORMAT (GAME-ACTIVITY COMBINATION)

Time Activity Comments 0 mins Player Arrival Dispersal to groups 5 mins Warm-Up At Stations with Coaches 10 mins Rotation Activity One 20 mins Rotation Activity Two 30 mins Rotation Activity Three 40 mins Break Player Refreshments and

change stations to game fields 42 mins Game One 48 mins Game Two 54 mins Group Thanks and session dispersal 60 mins

Number of Players Number of Stations (8 Players per Station)

25 3 50 6 75 9

100 12 125 15 150 18 200 25

Festival Formats, Tools and Session Plans

TOURNAMENT FORMAT (GAMES ONLY) TIME ACTIVITY COMMENTS 0 mins Player Arrival Dispersal to groups 5 mins Warm-Up At Stations with Coaches 10 mins Game One 20 mins Game Two 30 mins Game Three 40 mins Game Four 50 mins Cool Down Ball related skill based activity 58 mins Group Thanks and session dispersal 60 mins

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FORMAT

TIME ACTIVITY COMMENTS 0 mins Player Arrival Dispersal to groups 5 mins Warm-Up At Stations with Coaches 10 mins Rotation Activity One 20 mins Rotation Activity Two 30 mins Skills Challenge Penalty Challenge, Juggling

competition, etc. 40 mins Rotation Activity Three 50 mins Rotation Activity Four 58 mins Group Thanks and session dispersal 60 mins

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM FOR AN 8 WEEK PROGRAM (REFER TO ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR MORE DETAILS)

WEEK TOPIC COMMENTS One Ball Familiarity Physical Literacy, Ball Taps Two Dribbling Slalom Dribbling, King of the

Ring Three Receiving & Passing Knock the Coach Off The bench,

Through the Gate Four Turning with the ball Turning Relays, Spook Night Five Striking and shooting the ball Breakaway, Goalie Goalie Six Dealing with aerial balls Goalkeeping and Volley Control Seven Tricks and flicks Turns and spins Eight Players picks Player choose their favorite

games and moves


TOOLS FOR THE TECHNICAL LEADERS

YOU ARE THE COACH You are going to the field and the key is to relax and play. Everyone has experienced good as well as poor coaches, so use your experience and reflect on the qualities of a good coach, in order to support the coach you wish to be.

COMMUNICATE The essence of the Festival Format is interactions and communication. Use the diagram below to remind you what level is your communication targeted at. When coaching players, you should communicate as if you are player. If you are required to discipline a player then do so as a coach. Problems occur when individuals cross-communicate.

Good Coaches

Presence Knows Subject

Looks the Part

Communication Skills

Observation Skills Inspires

Challenging

Accountable

Organized

Rapport


WHY DO PLAYERS DISENGAGE There are two basic reasons why children switch off from a task or drill. They are bored (it is too easy) or they are frustrated (the task is too difficult).

The task of the technical leader is to recognize and address these. Simplify the task or provide a further challenge within the session to the group.


SKILL STATION SESSION PLANS

Each FUNdamentals Skill Station Festival should incorporate stations that focus upon developing certain components of play. Enclosed are some specific session plans to get technical leaders started.

REGISTRAR The Registrar should have a clear indication of how many players are anticipated to attend an event. Every event should include a registration process regardless if there is a fee to register or not. It is then the Registrar's responsibility to contact and allocate sufficient staff members to support the event.

TIME KEEPER The Time Keeper should manage the station rotations. They will have to adjust the schedule on the go if there are delays or changes. They will hold responsibility for indicating the start or conclusion of each rotation and consequential transitions. All Technical staff must follow the time-keeper's lead.

DIRECTOR OF COACHING This should be a suitably qualified coach who understands the age appropriate technical aspects of play. Their role will be to observe the organization and operation of the various stations. They should then offer support and guidance to each technical leader at the stations.

GROUP MANAGER The Group Manager should meet with the players and allocate them to suitable groups upon their arrival. If the festival is part of an ongoing program, group selections will become important as your seek to ensure the players are encouraged to mix and match within the group selections in order to challenge their personal development. The Group Manager should also manage any group changes, if one group appears to have stronger players, or a player is required to leave the event early.

TECHNICAL LEADERS ie. the Coaches. Support and instruct within your station. Strive to be engaging and allow players maximal playing time, by avoiding periods of "over instruction".

CHAPERONES Chaperones will support the event by assisting young players in need of refreshment breaks or who are getting lost on the field. They should also be ready to support any parents and technical leaders in the delivery of the program.

Thank you for your commitment to support your Grassroots Program!

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Category: Warm-upsDifficulty: Beginner

Alberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans

Ball Taps

Description

ORGANIZATIONA simple warm-up activity that reinforces the virtues of physicalliteracy: agility, balance and coordination.Players line up on the first line and are instructed to perform agiven number of ball taps (tapping the top of the ball with thebottom of the foot softly). Here the players should ensure the ballis just in front of their body and they remain balanced throughout,alternating between left and right feet.FOCUSPlayers should focus upon finding balance and rhythm withinperforming all the requested task sequences.PROGRESSIONSProgressions are to maneuver the ball forwards, (with a sequenceof roll with the bottom of one foot, stop: with the bottom of theother). Once players are able to move forward encouragebackwards and sideways movements.Further progressions include:Push with the top of one foot and stop with the same foot (bottom).Push with the top of one foot and stop with the bottom of the opposite foot.

Ball Taps



Traffic Lights

Description

ORGANIZATIONAll the players play within a square that allows them sufficientspace to dribble the ball freely and practice moves within thesquare.This is a coach led session to encourage dribbling andobservation.The players are instructed to dribble the ball under control withinthe square. The coach starts the session by giving instructions ofstop, go, and turn; to which the players must react to the call andperform the requested task. The coach may specify specificactions (i.e. stop the ball with a foot, knee or butt) or methods ofturning with the ball.FOCUSThe focus of the drill is dibbling and movement with the ball, butalso observation while in possession.PROGRESSIONSA progression is to implement coloured markers instead of callsto initiate an action, so now the players need to push the ballslightly further out of their control, in order to observe the coachand his actions. For example a red cone - stop, blue cone - Cryuff turn, yellow cone - Maradona spin.This format may be used to introduce any numbers of new moves, but focus on no more than three moves per session.

Traffic Lights



Obstacle Course

Description

ORGANIZATIONThis is an organic drill and has few guidelines except imagination.Coaches should utilize any spare equipment they have andposition it to form an obstacle course to challenge the players. The equipment could be used to present a relay race challenge(see above), or simply spread within a square so all the playersare active and their ability is challenged throughout thesession. The key is to lay the equipment out in a manner thatchallenges the players to use of both feet and a broader range ofmovements, stop, start, short long, fast, slow movements?FOCUSThe focus should be to encourage players to be inventive and findtheir own way around the course. This may be to implement henumber and method (technique) of touches on the ball.PROGRESSIONSPlayers could be challenged to compete individually or as part of ateam. The obstacle course may even have challenges to lift theball over or push under obstacles, such as hurdles?

Obstacle Course


AAlberta Soccer Association FUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans

Running Ball Relays

Description

ORGANIZATIONPlayers are grouped into threes and placed with two players onone side and one on the other of a sufficient divide thatencourages them to run at speed with the ball. Running the ball isto push the ball ahead of your stride with the top of the shoe.Players should seek to cover as much ground as possible with thefewest amount of touches.FOCUSPlayers should seek to run the ball smoothly in the sequence withefficiency, their touch should allow them adequate time to lift theirhead and make a clear observation of the game between touches.PROGRESSIONSTwo suggested progressions1. Include a slalom (figure of 8) dribble to encourage the players torecognize the importance of close control (dribble), loose control(running the ball).2. Run with sudden turn station in the middle, so again the playersare required to maintain control of the ball while executing twosharp turns and then exiting the final turn with speed...

Running Ball Relays



Baked Beanz

Description

ORGANIZATIONPlayers are placed in pairs and stand before two positionedcones. Then for this simple yet effective drill they are encouragedto maintain close dribbling on both feet whilst dribbling aroundand between the cones n a figure of 8 formation. Each pair isrequired to complete a two figure of 8 combination before passingthe ball to their partner to repeat.FOCUSThe obvious focus is upon close dribbling, but coaches shouldobserve the players body shape as they move the ball and that thetouches are gentle nudges to move the ball along.PROGRESSIONSThe first condition is to allow the players to dribble through thesequence without any conditions, so they find their own waythrough.Once the players have executed this sequence hey should bechallenged with the following conditions1. Right foot only (inside and outside of the foot)2. Left foot only (inside and outside of the foot)3. Inside of both feet (left foot around one cone and right foot around the other)4. Outside of both feet (left foot around one cone and right foot around the other)5. Drag through - no conditions except when passing between the cones the player must drag the ball with the bottom of the shoe.The key is to change feet whenever passing between the two cones.A further challenge maybe to place a spare ball on the two cones and the players are conditioned to avoid knocking these off.

Baked Beanz



King/Queen of the Ring

Description

ORGANIZATIONDependent upon the number of players, age and ability all theplayers are placed within the ring (square). The playerscommence the activity by simply dribbling within the ring, with thecoach encouraging them to try new moves they may use within agame.Once warmed up and on the coaches command the gamecommences and the players are required to maintain possessionof their ball, whilst attempting to challenge and 'knock' theiropponents ball from the grid. If a player loses possession of theball but retrieves it before it leaves the ring, then they are stillpermitted to play. The ball must be knocked from the ring, beforethe dis-possessed player is eliminated from the game. Playersmust maintain possession of the ball (shielding) and keep itmoving at all times. They are not permitted to keep it guardedwhilst standing statically in corners. The last player in the squareis declared the winner.FOCUSThis game has everything important within soccer, dribbling,shielding, challenging, team work and observation.PROGRESSIONSA further progression to this game is to condition the players to use just one foot, their right or left?The coach should challenge the winner to attempt to win a second game, this is very hard as the other players will 'gang' up on theking or queen.

King/Queen of the Ring



Four Houses

Description

ORGANIZATIONThis drill takes place within a field layout similar to the diagram, sowithin a large square there is s central square to hold the ballsand then four additional squares (houses) within which the teamsare designated.The team task upon the coaches command, is to retrieve as manyballs from the central zone to their home as quickly as possible.However only one player is permitted to leave their house at anygiven time. FOCUSThis is a great team-building drill with the technical focus uponspeed and many supplementary technical conditions,see Progressions.PROGRESSIONSDependent upon the ability of the players, specific tasks may beplaced upon the players whilst they retrieve the balls:.Example conditions1. Carry the ball home (hands).2. Dribble (feet) the ball home.3. Perform ten ball taps before returning the ball home.4. Perform 5 keep uppy's before returning the ball home.5. Execute a specific turn before returning the ball home. The team that retrieves the most balls home is declared the winner. Then in a repeat challenge the players in the same race format(one at a time) return the balls to the central zone. So the team that retrieved the least amount of balls should have a gameadvantage?

Four Houses

Category: Technical: TurningDifficulty: Beginner

Alberta Soccer AssociationFUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans

Turn n Burn

Description

ORGANIZATIONThe field is split into two equal halves with a dividing centre line.The players are position in pair across the grid from their partner.One player has the ball and on the coaches command of go, theydribble toward the centre line.On the coaches command of turnthey must execute a turn of either the coaches choice or theirfavorite turn. The coach may request that players dribble out, turntowards the start and then turn back towards their opponent,several times over.On the coaches command of burn, the opponent without the ballwill run across the field and challenge to win the ball before theball carrier returns to the safety line at the beginning.The roles should be switched up to allow lots of repetitionsFOCUSThe focus of this fun drill is close control and dribbling with the ballunder control and pressure from an opponent.PROGRESSIONSThe coach will control the tempo of this session and may requestmany turns at the same time. A further organizational change is to have all the players performing the turns as commanded. Then toname the two teams with similar names (sharks and sparks). This time on the coaches command of one of the names, that teamshould leave their balls and try to steal the ball from their partners before they return to their safety zone.

Turn n Burn

Category: Technical: TurningDifficulty: Beginner


Turning Technique

Description

ORGANIZATIONThis drill takes place either between two lines (5 yards apart) orwithin a 5 yard square. Players should work in pairs to allowadequate recovery period between each set of repetitions. On thecoaches command the players simply dribble the ball across thesquare, crossing the opposite line and the execute a designatedturn. This sequence is repeated for three turns, before the playerreturns to the start line, for their colleague to follow the same threeturn sequence.FOCUSBesides executing the requested turn, players should focus upongaining a low centre of gravity, letting the shoulders lead the turnand then enter the turn slowly before exiting with tempo.PROGRESSIONSPotential turns to instruct upon are;1. Stop turn2. Drag back3. Outside hook4. Inside hook5. Stop, step and flip6. Cruyff Turn7. Step over turnEncourage players to attempt all turns with both feet. Then once they are comfortable you may include a competitive relay toencourage mastery of quicker executions.

Turning Technique

Category: Technical: Passing & Receiving Difficulty: Beginner


Crazy Golf

Description

ORGANIZATIONThis drill can be made up randomly with any supportingequipment that is available. The equipment should be laid in arandom order to create many small sized gates (again userandom sizes and angles when making the holes).Players are then instructed to move around the golf course andputt as many holes as possible and in the quickest time. FOCUSThe focus of this drill is to encourage accuracy and the weightingof a pass. If players hit their passes too hard they will do additionalrunning, which will also slow down their times. PROGRESSIONSCoaching tip is to set the course out so the players are challengedto execute a wide variety of passing techniques (short/long anddifferent angles). Players may also play as an individual or in pairs, so one playerpasses through the hole and the other receives it on the oppositeside, before repeating the sequence.The game winners could be determined by time (quickest around the course) or accuracy completion of course in fewest passes.

Crazy Golf

Category: Technical: Passing & Receiving Difficulty: Beginner


Bingo Bango Bong

Description

ORGANIZATION This is a fun team drill that combines passingand shooting. The field dimensions should be adapted to meetthe needs and ability of the players and not reflective of theenclosed diagram. The players line up in a zig-zag formation and pass the ballacross and down the line to the last player who must shoot ontheir first touch. Once the sequence is complete the shootermoves to the top of the line, to re-start the sequence, with all theplayers moving their position down the line.FOCUS The focus is one encouraging team play, passing andreceiving and then finishing. PROGRESSIONS There are many conditions to challenge theplayers:1. One touch2. Two touch3. Right/left foot only4. For very good players a challenging condition is the ball must beplayed in the air only, hence aerial control. Where possible a session could have two sets of players competing against each other, so the first team to score wins.

Bingo Bango Bong

Knock the Coach Off The Bench Category: Technical: Passing & Receiving Difficulty: Beginner

Alberta Soccer AssociationFUNdamentals Festivals Session Plans

Description

ORGANIZATION The players work in pairs with one ball between them, and playingwithin an area that is appropriate for their age and ability. A ball isplaced upon a cone between both players, where the theme is topass the ball and knock this ball (coach) off the cone. Playersscore one point for every time they successfully knock the ball offthe central cone. They should then replace the ball and repeat thesequence, until there is a winning team, within the time frame setby the coach.FOCUS The focus of this drill is to encourage accuracy before power inpassing. If players rush they will not achieve an accurate aim. Theyshould also be encouraged to use the inside of their foot forgreater accuracy. Whilst considering how their body should bepositioned in order to make the successful pass.PROGRESSIONS Conditions can be applied to players once they have establishedthe game to challenge their development. Theeasiest progression is to vary the distance from the central ball. Other progressions include1. Use inside of foot2. Use right foot only3. Use left foot onlyThis game may be played between pairs of players or a coach may position themselves to observe the whole group and keep countof the teams scores as both teams compete against each other.

Knock the Coach Off The Bench

Category: Technical: ShootingDifficulty: Beginner


Shoot n Dribble

Description

ORGANIZATIONThis drill is set up with a number of goals and correspondingslalom course. The players are encouraged to race, dribbling theball between the cones and finishing a with a strike on goal.Once a player has run through the dribble slalom and had theirstrike on goal, they should rotate positions with the goalkeeper, soevery player has a go playing in goal.FOCUSThe focus is upon encouraging soft dribbling skills, composureand finishing in a 1 v1 situation with a goalkeeper. PROGRESSIONSThere are lots of conditions to consider when planning thissession.1. Straight race against an opponent.2. Dribble with left/right foot3. Shoot with left/right foot4. Evade a pursuing defender

Shoot n Dribble



Shooting Technique

Description

ORGANIZATION This drill is set up as illustrated within the diagram, with a set oftwo cones marking a central goal and the two strikers positionedon either side of the goal. Dimensions should be appropriate tothe age and ability of all the players. When the players shoot theservice should be alternated on either side of the goal. Thisorganization allows for a shot to be collected and shot fromopposing ends if a goal is scored (avoiding unnecessary ballretrieval). If a goalkeeper makes a save they should seek to servethe ball to the opposite end. FOCUS The coach should be conversant with the correct shootingtechnique and ask the players to focus upon accuracy beforepower. Encourage good habits to drive the ball low and to thecorners of the goal. Players should also regularly rotate positions,one supportive rule is the first player to score three goals wins andso must go in goal. PROGRESSIONS Players may initially start the drill will a static ball but they should be encouraged to challenge their development by implementing thefollowing conditions:Roll the ball forward and strike while it is moving.Roll the ball across your body and shoot on an angle.Goalkeepers serves the ball on the floor for a first time shotGoalkeeper serves the ball in the air for an aerial control and shot, or first time volley.Strike the ball with alternate feetA supporting server maybe added to each end to serve the ball to the striker who starts with his back towards the goal, or to the side,the focus here is to encourage the striker to play a first time shot with a moving ball.

Shooting Technique



US Penalty Shoot-Out

Description

ORGANIZATIONThis is a shooting drill and the field should reflect the template,with the dimensions being adapted to meet the needs and abilityof the players.The game is set up with two goal-keepers and opposing strikers.You will need sufficient balls to keep the drill flowing. The strikersstart by standing at their start (blue) line with the ball positioned onthe centre line. On the coaches command the strikers racetowards their ball and attempt to score in the opposing goal beforetheir opponent.FOCUSThe focus for the strikers is upon speed and decision making,should they choose to shoot first time or dribble to the goal. Aninitial stage of the drill may be to play with smaller goals and nogoal-keepers to challenge the players accuracy on goal.PROGRESSIONSFurther progressions may be to start the strikers in variouspositions to challenge their speed and agility - for example, theymay start by laying on their fonts or backs, or perform a somersault before racing towards the ball?The drill may also offer a greater challenge if one of the balls is taken out, so now the players must compete for just one ball.

US Penalty Shoot-Out



One Goal Numbers

Description

ORGANIZATION. This is a competitive shooting drill that is basedaround a goal and penalty area. The dimensions though shouldbe adapted to meet the age and ability of the players The two teams are lined on the edge of the playing area and eachplayer is designated a number (in this case 1-4). If possible matchthe players sizes and abilities with a corresponding player numberon the opposite team. On the coaches call of a random number,the designated number from each team will then race from theirstarting position, around the cones and in through the centralchannel, where there is a ball waiting. The players then challengeeach other and elect as to dribble or shoot on the goalkeeper.Once a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, that gameconcludes and the session is reset for the next game (coach tocall another number). FOCUS The obvious focus is upon shooting, but could also beupon speed, changing direction and also shielding the ball. Thekey focus is accuracy before power in the execution. PROGRESSIONS There are various adaptations to make this drillmore fun and challenging, some examples are:Request the players perform a novel (somersault) action before starting their run.Coach serves the ball into play with an aerial ball.Players must shoot with the opposite foot from the side they run, so if approaching the ball from the right, they should shoot with theirleft foot. The field maybe lengthened and more than one number may be called at a time.

One Goal Numbers

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Free Footie Skill Station Guide 2014