Young players can often get bored by fitness exercises, they just want to play.
So keep their interest high when they come to training by giving a game from Michael Beale’s 64 Small-Sided Soccer Games manual. The games are a great way of giving your players a good workout.
Try this one at your next session:
Two teams of four players, one goal, one keeper and a large number of balls.
Pairs of players take turns at attacking in a 2v2 situation and then immediately defending a 2v2 situation.
Play the game continuously for a set time period or until a set number of goals is scored.
Reacting to quick transitions is key to this session, as is holding onto the ball under pressure. This includes using clever play to shield the ball and get passes away. MORE
Every young player in your team needs to feel comfortable to have the ball at his feet all the time - especially in tight areas of the pitch. The final part gives ownership of the session to the players. MORE
This training session is all about the ability to control the ball by passing in tight areas, taking advantage of moments of transition, and being coordinated to change the direction and angle of attack. MORE
The session splits the work into two parts: getting the ball wide and attacking in the final third. There are lots of individual responsibilities here, with the pitch in three parts and a job to be done in each zone. MORE
This game develops quick thinking midfielders like Christian Eriksen. Players like this can set up attacks by reacting quickly to moments of transition in a game, principally moving from defence to attack. MORE
Use this game to teach your players how to beat stubborn defenders. This session gives the attacking team a deadline to win the ball and score goals. MORE
“I took a free trial and I was blown away by the drills; it made my training sessions so much easier. ”
