Pre-match warm-up

This session works on encouraging communication and good passing and getting players to drive into space and hit the target.

Why use it

This is excellent for team play with individuals linking and passing to create a goal scoring chance in the penalty area.

Set up

You need balls, bibs, cones and a goal. Set up an area 20 x 20 yards with a goal at one end and four cones in middle creating a 10 x 10 yard square. We used 12 players in the session.

How to play

At the opposite end to the goal is a line of players – the shooters. In the middle square is the other team – the wall passers. In the example given there are five wall passers. The shooting player enters the area and makes two quick wall passes. The shooting player then dribbles out of the area at top speed in order to shoot at goal. Immediately a new shooting player enters the area and repeats the practice. After a set time period, the teams switch roles.

Technique

Communication, passing and shooting are all key to the session.