Mastery of Technique and Individual Skills
Improvement of Cradling, Scooping, and Passing on the Move Skills
Duration: 120 minutes
Objective: Improve the technical skills of cradling, scooping, and passing on the move, essential for complete ball control.
1. Warm-Up (15 minutes)
Description: Active mobility and ball control exercises to prepare players for the quick movements and precision needed during the session.
Exercises:
Active Mobility: Dynamic exercises to activate muscles and improve flexibility, focusing on the legs, hips, and wrists, essential for cradling.
Ball Control Drill: Dynamic Partner Passing: Players practice dribbling and short passes while moving, focusing on technique and ball control.
Benefit: These exercises prepare players for the quick, precise movements required for cradling, scooping, and passing on the move.
2. Technical Work (25 minutes)
Description: Exercises focused on improving individual skills such as cradling, scooping, and passing on the move, which are essential for effective ball control.
Exercises:
Drill 1: Figure-8 Relay: Beginner Drill Focused on Ground Balls & Cradling: This drill helps players improve agility, ball control, and the ability to maintain possession while moving quickly. Players practice cradling while completing a figure-8 path.
Drill 2: Pick & Roll Drill: Players practice executing effective picks and reading plays to create passing and shooting opportunities. This drill emphasizes the skill of creating space and passing the ball accurately and effectively.
Benefit: These exercises help players improve their cradling and scooping technique, as well as refine their passing execution under pressure.
3. Tactical Work (30 minutes)
Description: Integration of technical skills into real-game situations, where players apply what they've learned in a tactical context.
Exercises:
Drill 1: Meatloaf passing drill: In this drill, players work on passing to different angles under pressure. The focus is on improving the accuracy and speed of passes in difficult situations, which is essential for maintaining control in fast-paced play.
Drill 2: Three-man weave: This drill helps improve coordination among players while practicing passing and moving in a dynamic format. Players work on their passing on the move and quick decision-making during team play execution.
Benefit: This tactical work improves players' ability to execute technical skills within a team context, enhancing passing accuracy, speed, and mobility.
4. Games/Competition (40 minutes)
Description: Competition in a small-sided game to apply the skills developed during the session, focusing on ball control and effective passing in a competitive environment.
Exercise:
Mini match: Players practice in a small-sided format where they must apply their cradling, scooping, and passing on the move skills. The focus is on quick decision-making, teamwork, and effective passing in real-game situations.
Benefit: This exercise allows players to put into practice what they've learned in a real-game environment, improving their ability to apply technical skills under pressure and in dynamic situations.
5. Cool Down (10 minutes)
Description: Stretching and relaxation to reduce muscle tension and aid in recovery.
Exercises:
Leg and Arm Stretches: Focused on the areas most used during the session, such as quadriceps, hamstrings, and arm and wrist muscles.
Muscle Relaxation: Breathing techniques and light stretches to reduce tension and improve flexibility.
Benefit: The cool-down helps prevent injuries and improves muscle recovery after the intense training session.
Session Benefits
This session is designed to improve players' individual technical skills, such as cradling, scooping, and passing on the move. Drills like the Figure-8 Relay and Pick and Roll Drill improve ball control and the ability to execute quick and effective movements. The Meatloaf Passing Drill and 3-Man Weave focus on improving passing accuracy under pressure and while moving. The Small-Sided Game allows players to practice these skills in a competitive environment, enhancing decision-making and applying techniques in real-game settings.
By the end of the session, players will have significantly improved their ability to control the ball, pass with accuracy, and make quick decisions under pressure, all of which are crucial for their performance in real matches.
