Change of Direction Individual Training
The following session was presented by Willie McNab at the Soccer Champions Coaches’ Clinic.
Set Up: Channels of cones 8x8 yards apart with players split evenly between channels with a ball each.
Instructions: Players will move up and down and diagonally across the channels focusing on set move which will help them change direction. They will make their way to the top and then make their way back down. Repeat for a set period of time.
Coaching Points:
Distances before executing moves.
Disguise.
Body shape.
Change of speed.
Awareness of space to exploit.
Set Up: Small pitch 12 yards in length and 24 yards in width, with 2 small goals situated at each end. Players split evenly into groups facing each other. Defenders have a ball each.
Instructions: Defender will play up to attacker who must change direction and aim to score into any of the small goals. If the defender wins possession, they can score into the goals. When the game stops the players return to their groups and play re-starts.
Coaching Points:
1st touch toward goal.
Speed!
Is a quick change of direction needed?
Disguise.
Double change of direction?
Set Up: 4 groups positioned as shown with a 'gate' in the middle of the pitch. Distances will vary.
Instructions: 1st green player will dribble to the 2nd red cone and then play a pass through the gate for their team mate to move onto and aim to score on goal. As this happens the yellow defender next to the goal will sprint across, tag their team mate, who will run and play 1v1 against the attacker and aim to stop them from scoring. When the game stops the players join the opposite group and play re-starts.
Coaching Points
Step onto ball and aim for goal!
Positioning of defender.
Disguise.
Hit target.
Set Up: 40x30 pitch with 4 small goals placed in the corners of the pitch. Play 5v5 in the main area. Add in neutral players around the outside of the pitch if needed. Supply of footballs in the goals.
Instructions: Play normal game with both teams attacking 2 goals and defending 2 goals. The aim is to isolate 1v1 and perform a move to change direction and attack the opposition down their weak side.
Coaching Points: Aim to reinforce points worked on previously in the session.
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