Pass it on…

RTC ID Camp 2015

Sessions
These sessions are aimed at coaches across Nova Scotia who work with youth players particularly at the ‘golden age
of learning’ (Learning to Train - U12) who want to deliver sessions with purpose and assist with player development.

Collecting session plans is something all Coaching is so much more than balls, I would like to thank all the Soccer Nova
coaches do and the best sessions are bibs and cones. A good coach is able to Scotia staff for submitting their sessions
those that have been clearly thought out connect and understand their players, and allowing it to be shared with the
and designed to suit your players this takes skill and competency, this community.
requirements. However, it is not always booklet can not give you that it has to be
necessary to ‘reinvent the wheel’ developed and practiced. Remember, have fun,
adapting and tailoring existing sessions experiment and Pass it
is something all good coaches do, and The aim is to share; sessions, on…
this collection of sessions from the presentations, information, any idea that
recent RTC U12 ID Camp 2015 can assist can have a positive influence on you and
coaches across Nova Scotia with their the players. If we achieve that its been a
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session delivery. success.

 Guide for Adapting Sessions & Challenging your Players

These sessions are not guaranteed Explain using visual aids: whiteboards, Check your coaching style, have you
to work! You might have to alter iPad, cones, diagrams and videos delivered the correct information?
Enough/too much information in the
and adapt them to suit you and Get the space right, make it bigger for correct manner?
your players. more success, smaller to test the players
Add or remove goals

Add/remove competition Add safe zones, channels or areas to Number and types of goals Demonstrate
allow the players to make better – coach or player?
Alter conditions in ‘zones’, add decisions
defenders, defenders can enter…
etc

Add different ways to score,

touches in certain areas, types of
finish, work the ball to certain area

Add the offside rule

Add more balls into the same

practice

Challenge individuals

Change the overload/ underload

Add neutral players or ‘magic man’

Questioning is key. Don’t give all the

answers!

Allow time for the players to

understand the practice
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 Contents
Warm Ups Vision & Awarness
2v1 to Goal (Technical/Skill) 4v3 to Targets (Skill)
Mesut Mert …4 Carl Hayre …7
Technical X Drill (Technical) Possession to Corners
Jason Massie …4 Mike Ayyash …7
Dynamic Circle (Technical) Colors
Dara Ramirez …4 Carl Hayre …7
4v4 with Targets and Direction (Skill) Gates
Mike Locke …4 Mesut Mert …7
Proactive Passing Tactical & Goalkeepers
Directional SSG (SSG) Switching Play (Functional)
Mike Ayyash …5 Jason Massie …8
3v1 Two Squares (Skill) Playing out from the Back (Phase of Play)
Mesut Mert …5 Mike Ayyash …8
3v1 Four Squares (Skill) Goalkeeper Gates (Technique)
Mesut Mert …5 Gary Carter …8
Combination Play in the Final Third (Functional) Goalkeeper Rotation (Technique)
Mesut Mert …5 Mike Hudson …8
Finishing
Finishing (SSG)

Mike Ayyash …6

Square Finishing (Technical)

Matt Holton …6

Finishing on the Run (Technique)

Mike Locke …6

Finishing Stations (Technique)

Mike Ayyash …6
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 Setup: 10x20 area and position 4 players per Session 2: Same as before but rather than Player D
group (more lanes can be added if necessary).
Receiving & Turning dribbling the ball back it simple becomes a 2v1 to
goal with player B & D vs C and finally B & D vs A,
Session 1: Player A starts by passing the ball finishing with an attempt at goal.
2v1 to Goal - Mesut Mert to Player B located in the middle of the lane
with a passive defender (Player C) behind them. Defenders can play passive to start and progress to
Player B receiving the ball turns and passes to realistic pressure.
The game scenario session
the furthest player (Player D) located at the end
creates realistic moments in the of the lane who dribbles the ball beating both Focus: Receiving to Turn - Awareness, Disguise,
game and progresses from a players B & C who simply act as obstacles. Touch away from Pressure & 2nd Touch Pass.
technique practice to skill. Everyone rotates. Turning with the Ball - Distance from Defender, Touch
away from Pressure, Ball Control & Change of Pace.

Technical X Drill - Jason Massie Dynamic Circle - Dara Ramirez 4v4 with Targets & Direction - Mike
Locke
Setup: Players are setup in a 15x10 grid. The Setup: Players are setup into two equal
session requires a player on every cone with groups. Half inside the small square and half on Setup: Players are split into two teams of six in a
the remaining players starting where the ball the outside of the circle with no ball. Players 30x30 grid. Objective is for teams to keep
starts. Allow as many balls to go based on the inside the small square are dribbling and on the possession and transfer the ball from one target
level of intensity you require. Players pass the coaches command break out and pass the ball player located on the outside of the grid to the
ball and follow their pass. Player in the middle to a player outside the circle, who passes it opposite. Target players are limited to 3 touches or
receives the ball and turns 180 degrees. back and they return to the square. Rotate 5 seconds.
every 2mins.
Progressions: Outside turns, inside turns, No Progressions: Players on the
touch turns, Protect shield and turn & Progressions: 1) Get side on & open up, 2) outside can swaps with
combinations i.e. give and go. Go to the ball and turn 180 degrees & 3) whoever passed them the ball.
Complete a give and go into space.
Focus: Attitude, Pace, Variety Turns, Using Focus: Attitude, Speed of Play,
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Both Feet Focus: Attitude, Pace, Variety Turns, Using Movement, Awareness,
Both Feet & control when dribbling Scanning, Touch into Safe
Space
 Setup: 7-aside field divided into thirds. 3v3 in Progression: One player in each section can go
the middle area and 2v1 in favour of the support the ball in the section next to them to create
Proactive Passing defenders. 4v3 in the middle or 2v2.

Details: Ball starts with the goalkeeper. Team Focus: Playing safe side passes and leading passes
Directional SSG - Mike Ayyash in possession tries to pass to their target on the allowing team mates to turn or maintain possession.
opposite end to create a scoring opportunity. If Can we go forward with a penetrating pass? If not,
the defence win the ball they complete the can we keep possession and wait for the moment to
A small-sided game that
sequence by transitioning with the same arrive.
encourages players to build objective.
from the back and play forward.

3v1 Two Squares (Skill) - Mesut 3v1 Four Square (Skill) - Mesut Combination Play in the Final Third
Mert Mert (Functional) - Mesut Mert

Setup: Players are setup in a 16x16grid, Setup: Players are setup in a 20x20grid, Setup: 12x12 grid in the middle of the field. Players
divided into four equal 8x8. The session divided into four equal 10x10. The session are divided into 4v2 in the grid and 4v2 setup with a
requires 3v1 in two squares. requires 3v1 in one square, with three target front three and attacking midfield.
players in the other three squares. Defenders
Details: Players are to keep possession and start in the middle. Details: Start with players making three passes in
once all three have touched the ball they are the central square and then look
able to dribble into the opposite square. If the Details: Players are to keep possession and to connect with any of the
opposition win the ball they need to dribble the complete three passes before sending it over to forward four. Attacking team
ball out of bounds or hit a target. one of the three targets. Once this transition must score in 10 seconds or in
has happened 1) Go and support in that square 5 passes.
Focus: Maximize the space, Open body to 2) Team who just had possession fill other three
receive with instep (1st touch into space), Move squares & 3) Defender returns to the middle Focus: Combination Play,
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the ball quickly & Weight of pass. and a new defender joins the play. Attack the goal with speed,
movement off the ball & quality
Focus: Same as before but awareness is key. of pass.
 Setup: 36x30 with 2v2 plus goalkeepers in the Progression: Allow outside players to drive inside if
middle and 1v1 outside the area. available with one of the players in the middle having
Finishing Details: Anyone can score from anywhere
to rotate.

when they have possession. Switch players

Finishing (SSG) - Mike Ayyash every two minutes.

Focus: Developing a shooting mentality,

A SSG that promotes a mentality composure when shooting in pressured
to shoot through repetition. situations, varying the type of shot using
different techniques (laces, instep, outside, first
time etc.)

Square Finishing (Technical) - Finishing on the Run (Technical) Finishing Stations (Technical) -
Matt Holton - Mike Locke Mike Ayyash

Setup: Distance can vary based on the age. Setup: Distance can vary based on the age. Setup: Three lines of players approx. 20-25 yards
5x5 square approx. ten yards away from Mannequins or cones setup as displayed. from goal.
players start position. Players divided into two
equal groups. Details: Player A begins by dribbling towards Details: Player in line 1 dribbles at the flag, cuts
the mannequins and plays a penetrating ball inside or outside to finish on the run. Player 2 plays
Details: Player starts by running into the 5x5 to between for player B who finishes at goal. a give and go with player 1 for a
receive a ball from the opposite side. Player Player B movement is on the shoulder of the one two touch finish outside
looks to receive the ball and open up and finish mannequin (disappears) and times their the box. Player 3 dribbles at
on goal. movement to reappear onside. the flag down the line and cuts
the ball back for players 1 & 2
Focus: Touch on an angle, speed of release Focus: Dribble at the defender with pace, pass to finish inside the box.
(touch & finish), variety of finishing techniques. must lead the player onto goal, look up and
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review the angle, goal and position of the Focus: Shooting using both
goalkeeper before shooting & eyes on the ball. feet, vary the type of shot & in
the area aim for one touch.
 Setup: 20x25 with small 5x5 grid positioned as Focus: Scan as the ball travels, scan when the ball
displayed. Four blue players vs three black
Vision & Awareness players.
has arrived, scan just before releasing the ball,
attempt to get body shape side on as the ball travels,
first touch in the direction that you want to go.
Details: Session starts with the ball being
4v3 to Targets (Skill) - Carl played into the player located in the 5x5. As the Progression: Remove the pug goals and add a big
Hayre ball is travelling the player needs to scan and goal with a keeper.
identify the free blue player who is not being
marked by the black player. These players can
This session requires players to rotate before the ball is played. Once the ball is
scan and identify the open live its 4 attackers vs three defenders, with the
player. aim for the attackers to score in the pug goal.

Possession to Corners (Skill) - Colors (Technique) - Carl Hayre Gates (Technique) - Mesut Mert
Mike Ayyash
Setup: 20x25 with small 5x5 grid positioned as Setup: 10x10 area with the players divided into four
Setup: 25x15 area with 3v3 in the middle and displayed with three players with three different groups of two.
two target players each located on the corners. colored pinnies.
Details: The player begins by passing the ball and
Details: Team in possession scores points by Detail: Session starts with the ball being moving towards a different gate then the one they
connecting corner targets. Defending team played into the player located in 5x5. As the passed too. The player receiving the ball can pass
tries to intercept and connect their targets. ball is travelling the coach will move 360’ to any gate except for one that
Target players are on two touch and cannot be around the 5x5 holding up either a red, blue or has one player located on it.
tackled. green cone. The player must pass the ball to
the colour that the coach is holding up. Focus: Head up, decision
Focus: Continually adjust body shape and making, accuracy of pass &
scan play off the ball, take a final look before Progression: The three players can move in scanning
receiving the ball, scan and assesses with the between attempts.
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ball at their feet.

Focus: Scan as the ball travels, scan when the
ball has arrived, scan just before releasing the
ball
 Setup: Half of a field, two groups of players in Focus: Quality of the pass (ground and air), first
Tactical & Goalkeepers wide positions, two defenders/midfielders and touch into space, movement into space (timing),
three attackers. finishing and speed of play.

Details: Play starts on the left with the wide Progressions: 1) Add one defender in the box. 2)
Switching Play (Functional) -
layer dribbling at the mannequin, The player Add two defenders in the box. 3) Add three
Jason Massie performs a safe side turn and plays the ball defenders in the box 4) Switch sides.
back to a midfielder or defender who switches
The session focuses on players the ball to the opposite side leading the player
switching the ball and for a cross. Once the opposite winger receives
producing a goalscoring the ball this triggers the forward movement
from the attacking three as displayed.
opportunity.

Playing out of the Back (Phase Goalkeeper Gates (Technique) - Goalkeeper Rotation (Technique) -
of Play) - Mike Ayyash Gary Carter Mike Hudson

Setup: Half of a field, 6v6 + 2 red targets Setup: Two gates opposite each other with a Setup: Big goal, three cones setup in a triangle, two
starting cone behind them. goalkeepers working at once using the cone and
Details: Red team starts compact in a the post as the target.
defensive shape. Starting point: Blue player Details: Start at the back cone and come
takes a long shot at the red goalkeeper. Red forward to the gate in the ready position and Details: Service begins at the goalkeeper (forward
team tries to lay out from the back and connect receive the ball. dive) then progresses to trying
to their targets. Blue team tries to intercept and to beat the goalkeeper.
score on the goal. Progressions: A) On the ground, towards the Keepers rotate after every save
chest & above the head. B) Ball in front of one and swap after every four
Focus: Movement to spread out, CB get wide the cones come forward and collapse on the saves.
(edge of the box) FB get wide and high, ball C) Ball served to either cone.
midfield start high to drop low, supporting Focus: Ready position - Toes,
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angles to create space and patience. Focus: Ready position - Toes, hands open, hands open, palms ready to
palms ready to react. Collapse - Arms react, side shuffle in order to
extended, one hand on top and one on the see the ball at all times.
back of the ball, lead with the hands.
 Thanks…

Thanks to all the coaches that contributed to this booklet

Mike Ayyash Gary Carter Carl Hayre

Matt Holton Mike Hudson Mike Locke

Jason Massie Mesut Mert Dara Ramirez

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