Creating the

Decision Maker
Player and Coach

By
Jason Carney

www.soccerpracticesessions.com
 Acknowledgements
Thank you to every player I have coached.

Academy Soccer Coach

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 Contents
Technical shooting……Teaching the correct shooting technique is a vital part of a players development.

Finishing under pressure……Watch the goals go in on game day. Players love scoring goals!

Passing and moving……Your players will get an understanding of possession with this practice
session.

Ball control and passing……This fun ball mastery practice session on technique will never be boring
for the players again.

Dribble 1v1……Your players will be confident when faced with a 1v1. This practice will teach them when and
when not to dribble in a 1v1.

When to dribble or run with the ball……Teach your players the difference between the two. One is
more touches one is less.

Ball mastery – Dribbling & shielding……This dribbling and 1v1 session will give your players a lot
of confidence on the ball.

Teaching team work……Planting the seed for team work and work ethic are key in this early stage of
development.

Playing out from the back……Watch your goalkeepers decision making improve once they save the
ball.

Field awareness……Your players will develop field awareness without realizing they are doing it in this
high energy practice session.

Speed of thought……The decision making and reactions of your players will vastly improve with this
practice session.

First touch & Passing……First touch is a key component in player development. Your players will get
plenty of touches of the ball in this practice session.

Let’s be competitive……It’s great to see your players compete, whatever the outcome of the game.
This practice will help you instill that competitive edge.

Ball Mastery - Dribbling……A fun practice that allows your players to get maximum touches on the
ball.

Team shape……Your players will no longer bunch on the field after running this practice session a few
times.
 Soccer Practice Sessions
Technical shooting
Area: Three cones 20 yards away from goal with three
groups of players. All the players have a soccer ball.
1. ‘Player A’ starts the exercise by dribbling around the coach
and shoots at the goal.
2. As soon as ‘Player A’ has taken the shot, they turn and
receive a pass from ‘Player B’ and play a give and go. ‘Player
B’ shoots at goal.
3. ‘Player A’ now joins another group.
5. After taking a shot, ‘Player B’ now plays a 1V1 against
‘Player C’.
6. Players rejoin a new group of players.
Variation:
Work from the opposite direction
Coaching points:
Focus on the technique
Shoot away from the keeper

Area: Play to one goal. Have some defenders and attackers

stood by the goal and some midfield players stood about 25
yards from goal. The coach has all the balls.
1. The two forwards stand on the corner of the 6 yard box
while the two defenders stand on the end line. The coach
passes the ball to the central midfield player.
2. Two forwards check towards the midfield player who
passes the ball to one of them. The defenders enter the field
and the midfielder joins in the attack.
3. A 3 v 2 to goal is now played.
4. Once the game is finished, players go back to the start.
Coaching points:
Make the extra player count.
Spacing and angles.
Movement from the front two - ie crossovers
Good communication

Area: 25 x 35 with two goals with no goalkeepers. An end

zone is marked 5 yards from both goals. The coach has all the
soccer balls.
1. Normal soccer rules apply.
2. The teams play in the 25 x 35 area.
3. A goal can only be scored from inside the end zone.
4. The players are free to move anywhere on the filed.
Variation:
Add goal keepers
If the players are good enough, can they score with a one
touch finish?
Coaching points:
Keeping the ball until an opportunity arrives
Movement
Communication
Shot at goal
 Soccer Practice Sessions
Finishing under pressure
Area: 25 x 30, 2 goals with GK’s. Each player has a ball.
Two groups start opposite each other. Two coaches stand in
the area shown and act as a defender.
1. First player from each group dribbles towards the coach (or
cone), performs a fake move and shoots at the goal.
2. They then get their ball and join the opposite group.
3. Move the teams to the other cone to work on their
opposite foot.
Variation:
1. Red line: One player at a time. First player dribbles and
shoots.
2. After they take the shot, the next player from the opposite
group starts. The player who has taken the shot sprints
across to tackle the shooting player. If the player gets
tackled, or takes a shot, they then chase the player from the
other team who has begun the exercise..
3. After the chase, they then join their own group.
4. So, “After a shot, you chase!!”

Area: 25 x 30, 2 goals with goalkeeper’s. The cones or

coaches have been moved closer and are level to mimic two
center-backs. Players are stood on all four cones. The left
group have the balls. One group at a time start the exercise.
1. First player dribbles diagonally towards goal.
2. The opposite team mate overlaps at full speed.
3. With the right timing of pass, the dribbling player plays a
reverse pass between the cones / coaches for their team-
mate to run onto and shoot at goal. The dribbling player
follows up for rebounds.
4. The opposite group now start.
Coaching points:
Timing of run and pass.
Shot – hit the target and away from the keeper

Area: 25 x 35 with four small goals and no goalkeepers. If

you have a larger goal you can use goalkeepers.
4 v 4 is shown.

1. Normal soccer rules apply.

2. Players can score in any goal.
3. Are your players good enough to play a one touch finish
game?
Coaching points:
Awareness of which goal to attack.
Communication
Movement to create opportunities or space for others.
Body shape when shooting.
 Soccer Practice Sessions
Passing & moving
Area: 25 x 30. This exercise shows 7 players. Two teams of
4 v 3. The blue team (4 players) have one ball while the yellows
(3 players) each have a ball.
1. The yellow team dribble their ball in the playing area trying to
block passes from the blue team. They are dribbling and getting
in the way of the blue team.
2. The blue team attempt to pass their soccer ball in the playing
area.
3. Players CANNOT touch the other teams ball.
Variation:
Switch roles
Coaching points:
The players that are keeping possession quickly find space.
Weight, accuracy and timing of the pass.
Body shape when receiving the ball. If the player receiving the
ball does not see an open player, move the ball with a good first
touch.
Dribbling players keep the intensity

Area: 25 x 30. Two teams. For the start of the exercise,

when the game starts, one team is chosen to play with three
players and one with two players. The coach has all the soccer
balls.
1. Blue players set up to play 3v2 against yellows. One blue
player stands in front of the goal.
2. The coach serves in the ball to the blue player.
3. The two supporting blue and two defending yellow players
enter the playing area. They run around the cones as shown.
4. A 3 v 2 is played. If the defenders win the ball they can
attack the opposition goal.
5. Switch to where yellow play 3v2.
Coaching points:
Make the extra player count. Create triangles when in
possession. Passing and angles. Movement and communication.
Shot at goal

Area: 25 x 30. Two teams. 4v4 is played. Two small goals

are placed at either end.
1. Normal soccer rules apply (apart from offside)
2. When a player scores a goal, they join the other team, so a
5v3 is now played.
3. Make the extra player count and get the equalizer.
Variation:
Allow the players to play 4v4 with no player switch.
Coaching points:
Passing & movement
Communication
React to being a player down or a player up.