Session Topic Breakdown (Objectives & Coaching Points)

1) Escape Skills & 1v1s (November 1st-10th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to dribble, manipulate, protect and evade opponents in pressure pockets containing 2 or more defenders.

Coaching Points:

1. Rapid touches with BOTH feet

2. Find the space to escape

3. Creativity and disguise

4. Effective ball protection (safe side from nearest defender)

2) 1st Touch Passing & 1st Time Finishing (November 11th - 17th)

Objective: Many passes, and most goals are made with the first touch! Players will gain the ability to make better and more consistent passes with their first contact, and score more goals with one touch finishes!

Coaching Points:

1. Early Decision

2. Body shape set early (clear or disguise?)

3. Body over the ball

4. For Pass - Inside of foot contact, move sharp after pass

5. For shot - Accuracy over power, aim for bottom or top corners.

3) 1v1 Domination(November 18th - 24th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to beat defenders by both dribbles and a double pass with teammate

Coaching Points:

1. Commit defender

2. Analyze space between defender and ball

3. Analyze space behind defender

4. Decision: Dribble or pass (try to add disguise)

5. Change of pace after ball beats defender ball

4) Mini Games Week (November 25th - December 1st)

Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy competitive mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 3 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!

5) Vision and Awareness (December 2nd - 8th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to affectively scan and play while receiving the ball, recognizing space, defenders and teammates. The ultimate objective is to be able to have plan A and plan B before ball is received.

Coaching Points:

1. Double movement to shake defender

2. Demand ball

3. See space in front

4. Technique of Shoulder Check

   1. Side on body shape “check shoulder not back”

   2. Length of check - “take a picture not video”

5. Timing of Shoulder Check - For short pass, before the pass is made

   1. Check too early? Picture behind can change

   2. Check too late? Technique fails

6. Body shape

   1. Facing desired direction

   2. Facing away from desired direction (disguised)

6) PLAY & MOVE! Short & Long Range Passing (December 9th - 15th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to receive and pass at varying distance quickly and accurately (or play one touch) to increase your speed of play in possession to become a more dangerous player.

AFTER PASS:

1. Vision & Awareness before receiving (decision made before pass arrives)

2. Select body shape

3. Select pass type

4. Pass technique & execution

5. Find the next space quickly!

PING (Long, high, lofted pass)

1. Sideways touch

2. Hips facing target

3. Toes out/laces pointed to sky

4. Contact “Chin” part of ball (bottom of ball)

5. Contact with top of toes, not ankle

6. APPEARANCE: Backspin, higher than defenders, no power, lofted!

7) Mini Games Week (December 16th - 22nd)

Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy competitive mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 3 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!

Goal-Scoring Month!

For the month of January, all topics will be focused on striking and scoring in all areas of the game. There will be topics on 1v1 vs. Goalkeepers, Volleys, In The Box Finishing and more!

8) 1v1 vs. Goalkeepers and In The Box Finishing (January 6th - 12th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to beat the Goalkeeper 1v1 and also gain the instincts of a striker and finish in small spaces under pressure.

Coaching Points:

1v1 vs. Goalkeepers:

1. Dribble at speed middle of goal

2. Dribble with ball close and frequent touches

3. Look for gaps in goal

4. Decision (Ball on floor, beat GK 1v1 or chip over GK)

5. Be calm and trust yourself

In The Box Finishing:

1. Early Decision

2. Change of speed into the box

3. Body shape set early (clear or disguise?)

4. Body over the ball

5. Accuracy over power, aim for bottom corners

9) Snapshots, Whips and Free-Kicks (January 13th - 19th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to score goals from situations outside the box, with the two most important “inside of the foot” finishing techniques, both in a “dead-ball” situation and with a moving ball

Coaching Points:

Whips (Attempting to create side-spin and curve on the ball!)

1. Hips Facing Corner Flag

2. Contact Cheek of ball, with inside (toes up)

3. Close hips sharply during contact

4. Big follow through

Strikes:

1. Hips facing goal

2. Big Step Towards Goal

3. Heel to butt (engage thigh)

4. Plant beside ball

5. Contact (with laces, toes down, strong ankle)

6. Follow through

7. Land on shooting foot

10) Strikes, Volleys & Headers (January 20th - 26th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to strike the ball on the ground with power and get more shots on target while the ball is in the air.

Volleys:

1. Effective ball protection (safe side)

2. Body Shape (Straight hips towards goal)

3. Toes down and locked, laces contact

4. Timing of Strike (height)

5. Controlled follow through

6. Bravery!

Strikes:

1. Hips facing goal

2. Big Step Towards Goal

3. Heel to butt (engage thigh)

4. Plant beside ball

5. Contact (with laces, toes down, strong ankle)

6. Follow through

7. Land on shooting foot

11) Mini-Games Week (January 27th - February 2nd)

Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy competitive mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 3 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!

12) First Touch (February 3rd - 9th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to have a closer control on their first contact!

Coaching Points:

1. “Spiderman Touch” Soft, careful touch to keep the ball close to you (make it stick!)

2. “Explosion Touch” Strong touch into space to make your first touch more purposeful!

13) Delay, Deny, Destroy (February 10th - 16th)

Objective: To become confident in 1v1 duels against attackers, learn to defend and win the ball so we can attack.

Coaching Points:

1. Arrive at the ball quickly

2. Slow down as you get close

3. Get low and delay

4. Wait for a trigger to win the ball

   • bad touch

   • attacker’s head is down

   • attacker turns their back

14) Advanced Dribbling (February 17th - 23rd)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to manipulate, protect and change directions, evade pressure and become more dangerous, all at game speed!

Coaching Points:

1. Changing directions with one touch

2. Ball 1st, hips 2nd

3. Freedom with the ball (Creativity & flair)

4. Effective ball protection (safe side)

5. Find open space

15) Mini-Games Week (February 24th - March 2nd)

Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy competitive mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 3 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!

16) Vision & Awareness (March 3rd - 9th)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to affectively scan and play while receiving the ball, recognizing space, defenders and teammates. The ultimate objective is to be able to have plan A and plan B before ball is received.

Coaching Points:

1. Double movement to shake defender

2. Demand ball

3. See space in front

4. Technique of Shoulder Check

   1. Side on body shape “check shoulder not back”

   2. Length of check - “take a picture not video”

5. Timing of Shoulder Check - For short pass, before the pass is made

   1. Check too early? Picture behind can change

   2. Check too late? Technique fails

6. Body shape

   1. Facing desired direction

   2. Facing away from desired direction (disguised)

17) Attacking and Defending Transitions (March 10th - 16th)

Objective: Players will gain the tools necessary to begin and stop counter attacks, allowing them to control all moments of the game

Coaching Points:

Attacking Transition:

1. Commit defender

2. Analyze space between defender and ball

3. Analyze space behind defender

4. Decision: Dribble or pass (try to add disguise)

5. Change of pace after ball beats defender ball

Defensive Transition:

1. Arrive at the ball quickly

2. Slow down as you get close

3. Get low and delay

4. Wait for a trigger to win the ball

   • bad touch

   • attacker’s head is down

   • attacker turns their back

18) Volleys & Aerial Control (March 17th - 23rd)

Objective: Players will gain the ability to control the ball from the air using all parts of their body and get more shots on target while the ball is in the air.

Volleys:

1. Effective ball protection (safe side)

2. Body Shape (Straight hips towards goal)

3. Toes down and locked, laces contact

4. Timing of Strike (height)

5. Controlled follow through

6. Bravery!

MARCH-APRIL: POSITION SPECIFIC

During the months of March and April, players in this program will be learning techniques, positions and tactical awareness for the following positions:

• MARCH 24TH - 30TH: DEFENDER (CENTERBACK & FULLBACK)

• MARCH 31ST - APRIL 6TH: MIDFIELDER (DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD & ATTACKING MIDFIELD)

• APRIL 7TH- 13TH: ATTACKERS (WINGER & STRIKER)

25) Mini-Games Week (April 14th - 16th)

Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy competitive mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 3 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!