Focus on improvement

Organisation

• The players work in pairs
• They start by staying in the same place and practising varied techniques of passing the ball back in the air
• If you think they might not be sure about these techniques, ask the players to demonstrate different ways of passing the ball in the air
  
  

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Keep a short distance between the players
• Make sure the service is gentle and aimed at the right area

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Vary the service, so the players have to make a quick decision on the best part of the body to use to make the pass
• Create a race, with players having to complete ten successful passes in a defined way and then go back to their original partner

Great questions to ask the players

• What do you need to consider when you throw the ball to your partner?
• While the ball is in the air, how can you make a quick decision on the best part of your body to use to complete the pass back to your partner?
• Which skills in this activity have you already mastered?
• Which skills have you still to master?
• What will help you master these skills?

Safety tips

• Make sure the players keep their heads up as they move around the area, and watch out for other players and footballs
• The players should be cautious about how they throw the ball to their partner when at close range

Organisation

• Create small pitches and allocate four players to each pitch
• The players take turns playing 1v1. The game begins with one player passing the ball to the other end of the pitch; the receiver becomes the attacker
• Rotate players between pitches to vary the challenge

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The defending player can act as a goalkeeper, using his/her hands when in goal

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Limit the time a player has to score a goal after receiving the opening pass
• The players have to dribble past their opponent before scoring

Great questions to ask the players

• When you attack, what do you need to think about?
• When defending, how do you choose the best time to try to tackle or win the ball?
• What are your favourite ball techniques to trick your opponent?
• Which ones do you want to improve?

Safety tips

• Create a safe zone between each mini-pitch

Organisation

• Create multiple pitches for games of 4v4, with goalkeepers
• Group the players by size or ability
• Ask the players to practise different ways of scoring goals with one touch (headers and volleys, after a one-two, etc.)
• Remind the players to follow up their shots for any rebound opportunities

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Start the game with no goalkeepers to make it easier to score goals

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Define the type of goal that has to be scored
• The nearest player to the goal can become goalkeeper, making it even harder to score goals

Great questions to ask the players

• What influences the type of finish you decide to attempt?
• What types of one-touch finish are there?

Safety tips

• Create a safe zone between each mini-pitch