Ross County FC - Scotland
Contributed by subscriber Vince Ganzberg. Ganzberg is the director of coaching and player development for the Indiana State Soccer Association. Previously he was the director of coaching for the Jr... Irish Soccer Club in South Bend, Indiana and a state coach for the Indiana ODP program. He is a member of the NSCAA National Youth Academy Staff and acts as a Regional Director for the NSCAA as well. This Ross County F.C. session was observed on a visit to Scotland in November 2001. Further sessions from his trip to Scotland can be found on his web site at www.angelfire.com/sports/irishsoccer/scotland. Vince can be contacted at vganzberg@aol.com.
This session was observed on November 20th 2001. Ross County F.C.'s Assistant Coach, Danny MacDonald conducted the session in windy conditions with the temperature approximately 20 degrees Celsius. The purpose of the session was to combine some fitness and technical work.
Warm-Up
As shown, there is a player at each cone with a ball that is used later in the warm-up. For the first part (without the ball), the players move from one cone to another using the following sequences:
• Jog to each one
• Alternate running backwards and forwards to a cone
• Go sideways
• Crossovers
• Heel kicks
• Moving sideways but changing direction
• Swinging arms
• High knees
• 3/4 speed
• When you get to a cone, change direction then sprint to another
• Walk back to your starting cone
In between every three to five activities, the players stretch.
Progression
Now, using a ball, they combine dribbling, juggling, some cuts and turns, changes of direction and speed and a variety of different moves. Goalkeepers are added and they roll passes instead of using their feet. Both halves of the field are working at the same time and two or three balls are in use in each half.
Finishing Drill #1
The ball starts near the halfway line. The ball is played to a wide player who plays it into a forward. The forward then lays it back for an oncoming player to touch and shoot. Each player rotates to a new cone with the shooter rotating to the halfway line. Use both flanks.
Finishing Drill #2
This simple drill concentrates on striking the ball cleanly. Player A dribbles the ball to goal and shoots before he reaches the “D”.
Coaching Point
Focus on hitting the target
Finishing Drill #3
A player near the half-line passes the ball to a player checking back from the 18-yard area. The player checking back receives the ball with his back to goal, takes a preparation touch towards the right cone and shoots. He then receives a second ball, takes a touch towards the left cone and shoots.
Finishing Drill #4
The final finishing drill involves a combination. The player near the half-line plays a diagonal pass to the wide player. The wide player receives the ball and dribbles inside towards the other oncoming central player. The wide player executes a little back-heel as he gets close to the oncoming player for him to finish with a one-touch shot.
The group alternate sides.
Variations
• Introduce a give-and-go
• Scissors or dummy scissors
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