Focus of the Day
Finishing, possession, and thinking ahead before receiving the ball.
Mental Note 🧠
“Where can I make a pass?”
Before the ball arrives:
- Scan the field
- Know your options
- Think one play ahead
Great players already know where they want to pass before they receive the ball.
Encourage lots of shoulder checks and communication throughout practice.
⏰ Practice Schedule (5:15-6:45 PM)
5:15–5:20 Starting Activity
Ball Mastery + Juggling
Focus move:
Matthews
Players work on:
- Slow technique first
- Explosive exit touch
- Both feet
Then transition into juggling:
- Bounce juggling
- Feet only
- Partner juggling challenges
- Weak foot touches
Encourage players to keep eyes up often during touches.
🔥 Warm Up Game
Keep Away Rounds
Three quick rounds of possession games.
⚽ Finishing Activity #1
Cross & Finish
Large goal setup with no defenders.
Players work on:
- Timing runs
- Attacking the ball
- One touch finishes
- First time shots
Rotate crossing sides often.
Coaching points:
- Arrive under control
- Attack space aggressively
- Keep shots low and balanced
💪 Finishing Activity #2
50/50 Ball Battle to Goal
Coach plays a loose ball between attacker and defender.
Attacker objective:
- Meet defender strong
- Use arm legally for separation
- Get into space
- Finish quickly
Coaching points:
- Strong first contact
- Explode after winning ball
- Protect the ball
- Quick shot mentality
⚔️ Finishing Activity #3
2v1 To Goal
Two attackers vs one defender.
This will also be the pregame activity.
Focus:
- Quick decisions
- Passing before pressure arrives
- Creating angles
- Finishing under pressure
Encourage attackers to recognize:
“Where is my next pass?”
🧱 Small Goal Tournament
3v3 Tournament
Small goals setup.
Rule:
5 passes = 1 goal
Players must:
- Move constantly
- Support teammates
- Keep possession under pressure
Encourage communication and scanning before receiving.
🔄 Possession Battle
3v3 Keep Away Game
No goals. Pure possession battle.
Focus:
- Patience
- Passing angles
- Body positioning
- Movement off the ball
Challenge players to keep long passing sequences.
🏁 Final Scrimmage
Scrimmage – No Goalies
Normal scrimmage without goalkeepers.
Encourage:
- Fast ball movement
- Quick finishes
- Constant movement
- Early decision making
Coaching reminders:
- Scan before receiving
- Move after every pass
- Think ahead
🧊 Team Huddle
Ask:
- Did you know your next pass before getting the ball?
- Who did a good job scanning today?
- How did moving after passing help your team?
Finish with: