Welcome to the Skills Acquistion Cycle for Pre-Season 2023!

Before we get started, check out these resources.  The Skill Acquisition Manual tells you all you need to know at this phase of training and the FIFA 11+ manual will guide you on the warm up activities to start to incorporate into your training.

Each week we will load up the session plans for the focus skill for that week.  The first session plan listed is the session plan that we will all use in the Monday training.  Use the QR code on the session plan to scan and view animations.

Additional session plans are added for you to use in your second training session in the week.

WEEK 1 – First Touch

These sessions cover the skill of First Touch.  These sessions are focused on scanning and body positioning; taking the first touch away from the defender and a good first touch to set up next action.

Extra Sessions

First Touch – Away from defender

First Touch – Set up next action

WEEK 2 – Striking the Ball

These sessions cover the skill of Striking the Ball.  These sessions are focused on improving players’ ability to play line breaking passes to take defenders out of the game; positioning of plant foot and striking the ball with the laces; and first time finishing.

Extra Sessions

Striking the ball – Low Driven Cross

Striking the ball – First Time Finishing

WEEK 3 – Running with the ball

These sessions cover the skill of Running with the Ball.  The focus of the sessions are improving players’ ability to keep the ball under close control whilst dribbling, changing direction when running with the ball at speed and ability to run with the ball at speed into space.

Extra Sessions

Running with the ball (Change Direction)

Running with the ball (Running at Speed)

WEEK 4 – 1v1 Attacking

These sessions cover the skill of 1v1 with an emphasis on attacking.  The focus of the sessions are improvine players’ ability to use deception moves to shift defenders and to protect the ball when being marked tightly from behind

Extra Sessions

1v1 Attacking (Beating Players)

1v1 Attacking (Shielding the Ball)

WEEK 5 – 1v1 Defending

These sessions cover the skill of 1v1 with an emphasis on defending.  The focus of the sessions are to win the ball back from an opponent, to prevent opponents from turning and facing forward when receiving a pass and improving player’s ability to prevent an attacker getting past them.

Extra Sessions

1v1 Defending (Delay)

1v1 Defending (Win the Ball)