Aim: To improve control and 1st touch Suitable for: U8âs and upwards Equipment: Marked area, 2 balls for 4 players Organisation: 3 players with 2 balls serve one working player. One server starts by passing the ball to working player who must control and pass to the server without a ball. Working player then commands ball from the other server with a ball. Continuous practice for 1 minute. Progressions: Increase tempo Limit touches to 1 or 2, more emphasis on the quality on the 1st touch to get ball under control Serving players can serve the ball in the air for control with knee, head or chest. Vary distance between players
Quality of 1st touch Body shape / movement Player alert and on their toes Player to react to the flight of the ball
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
sportplan_football
Set pieces account for roughly a third of all goals in football, yet many coaches spend surprisingly little time coaching defensive organisation at corners and free kicks. This article compares zonal and man marking systems, explores hybrid approaches, and provides a practical session structure for building set piece resilience into your team.
A player's first touch determines everything that follows: whether they can play forward, turn, or simply retain the ball. This article explores why training first touch in isolation is not enough, and how to design sessions that develop this critical skill under realistic game pressure.
The coaching methodology revolution sweeping grassroots football - and how to implement it at your club this season.
