KISS = Keep it Simple Soccer
Each set of sessions comes in a folders one for each week, in the folder are the grids to print out
Using the grids twice in one week lets say we are training Tuesday & Thursdays
Note: If training once a week you can use this grid next week as we increase pressure
Set up a grid as shown make the grid larger as more players arrive, Players have one ball and pass the ball inside the grid using only one touch. O.K. so you can get them to pass with the wrong foot, use inside only or outside of boot passes or even chip passes. The ball MUST NOT leave the grid. play for 10 minutes players make 10, 20, 30 consecutive ONE touch passes
So lets add some pressure, put in two players (late arrivals) holding a bib as defenders and they can intercept any pass (no tackling) and will change with the player making a poor pass or for a ball passed out of the grid, the offending attacker will change with the nearest defender. Players now have to think about the passes 10, 20, 30 and need to move to better angles. You can make it two touch depending on player skill.
End of Warm Up Grid week one
2. Move to the second training session that week (Thursday) set up the same grid
002 W002 Passing The Passing Square but now with markers and posts
(players know the grids so you can get straight into it.
Now as soon as the player plays the ball once they must run and touch a post. (If they forget I use a 10 second sprint on the spot with hands in the air). They soon learn to remember .A gain same rules but make it 2 touch but the ball must stay inside the grid and we need 10, 20, 30 consecutive passes. We even include inside pass, outside pass or a chip pass.
The grid is harder BUT THE PLAYERS KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED - so play for 10 minutes then move on to Development ii or Phase ii
Now player 1, makes a pass and must run around the furthest post BEFORE playing the ball again.
players 2 and 3if they play the ball must be moving to touch a post BEFORE playing the ball again. We have added elements of speed, thinking and movement, plus putting all attacking players under pressure. You can make this two touch and players have 3 seconds to pass a ball.
Sessions Level |
Suitable For |
Explanations |
Level 1 |
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Level 2 |
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Level 3 |
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Level 4 |
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Sessions Level |
Suitable For |
Explanations |
Level All |
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Session Explanations |
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1. Pre Warm Up is where you are waiting for players to assemble on the park. Rather than let the keen ones stand around, I have some fun routines that get the players started. As the group gets bigger and the session time arrives you should have all the players doing a pre warm up routine. These should be light sessions but some are quite important for the following sessions. |
2. The stretching (W019) is important and should be devised specifically for soccer. It should cover sitting and standing stretches of various muscle groups. If it is wet use standing stretches only. Note: In the following you should stretch only after a Warm Up (lap of the oval etc. - never stretch cold muscles). |
3. Warm Up is designed to get the core temperature up so that players are ready to start the Skill Developments or Match Practice. When a light sheen appears on a player's forehead you have core temperature. This is sometimes an introductory grid or routine for the session ahead.In many sessions the Ball Skill Developments used can often be reversed to develop either attacking or defending skills. It will depend on what element of coaching you want to concentrate on as to how you use the drill. In many instances' players change places after each move and change from attacker to become the defender in the pressure or progress of the drill. I have found that this gives players a more encompassing view of the various aspects of each role. |
4. Ball Skill Developments is a fitness/skills component with various soccer ball skills involved. In many instances it will provide a basis for the Match Practice by developing passing, dribbling, shooting, etc. skills that may follow in the Match Practice. It may however just be a drill that covers another aspect of the game or a fun skill's session. |
5. Match Routine is where we simulate the roles of players in game situations often in match play conditions or where more advanced techniques and skills are developed. Here is where we develop defending, attacking, set pieces, etc. In senior teams this component is very important especially for premier league standard. You should split defenders, midfield and attackers into specific roles. When I move onto Match Practices I often insist on defenders being separate from midfield players and from attacking players, so that those particular skills are sharpened in simulated game roles. I also use the Match Practice to develop my strategies for that particular team. Some of the Match Practice may be an extension of the Skill Developments and it is in these drills that you should concentrate on defenders v's attackers, etc. There are many grids and drills to choose from and you may find that one routine suits your particular team strategy better than another. You will need to select and mix grids from the appropriate folders and the following samples show you how I have put together my season. The Match Practice in most instances is the advance part of the session and includes pressure and speed for all players often swapping roles as they use the grid. However you may wish to modify the Match Practice so that only attackers attack and defenders defend, depending on how many players you have at training, on what you wish to concentrate on. |
6. The Game may reflect what we have been doing in our session. It is NEVER just a game! It is always conditioned and players should be developing skills in preparation for their normal league or cup fixtures. If you can get another person to supervise the game then this is YOUR opportunity to take out individuals for concentrated coaching. |
7. The warm down is a very short segment but is very important. (W007 end) Is reduced stretching and a gradual cooling of the muscles using slow jogging and walking. It should be followed by a shower to relax the muscles completely. |
Drinks: Have regular drinks breaks between each segment or at least one drinks break between the Skill Developments and Match Practice.
Download a blank session sheet planner, You may want to do several coaching sessions on the same theme or just do a fitness session and therefore leave out the Skill Developments or coaching routine. You may find some grids suit your purposes adequately and some do not work for you or your team. Initially it may take you longer to see how the routine works so walk it through so that you and your players know what is going to happen, what your targets are and what roles each player will play.
Note: these drills are aimed at giving soccer coaches a starting point to their season and to offer developments in most grids so that you, the coach, can set the level of skill required. In the word files you can add or modify the drill to suit your needs or improve on the basic concept. Use the planning sheet to prepare your session.
Club Team Men Pre Season Sample | 1 | Club Team Men Pre Season Sample | 2 |
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Week 1 Session 1 | Time 120 min | Week 1 Session 2 | Time 120 min |
1. Pre-warm up |
10 Min | 1. Pre-warm up
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10 Min |
2. Stretching exercises after lap of oval |
10 Min | 2. Stretching exercises after lap of oval | 10 Min |
3. Warm up
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5 Min | 3. Warm up
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5 Min |
4. Skill Developments
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20 Min | 4. Skill Developments
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20 Min |
5. Match Practice
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20 Min | 5. Match Practice
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20 Min |
6. Game
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15 Min | 6. Game
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15 Min |
7. Warm down
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10 Min End |
7. Warm down
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10 Min End |
Email Peter Faulks
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Last updated 25 January 2023