2025-12-09 Training Plan (Winter #5 and Publish Tester)
Indoors at YMCA 5:30-7P
Indoors at YMCA 5:30-7P
RSVP: 11 Yes, 2 TBD (likely 16-18 Attendees)
Activation: 4v4 SSG on Puggs (15 mins)
Two fields across turf space w/regular Puggs.
Progression: Whole team must be on offensive half to score, no offsides.
Hydration Break
We’ll set up 4-5 sets of three dots spaced 8-10 yds apart in a straight line across the turf (16-20 yds total). for Drill 1 we’ll add 2 sm. cones on either side of the center dot, and for Drill 2 we’ll remove those cones and just use the dots.
Drill 1: Passing Activation w/Half-Turns (15 mins) WITH SHOULDER CHECKS
Groups of 4-6
In this drill we are focusing just on the execution fundamentals. Snappy runs, passes and half turn.
IMPORTANT: Central runner: check your shoulder (1) as you approach the center, (2) immediately after you return the one-time pass (and before/as youare making your move)
This is an example of “encoding” a habit, or skill. In moments when you’ve controlled the ball or you know what the ball is doing, you can sneak a peak to other areas not in your view. Here we are simulating shoulder checks as part of this technical drill. This is slowly building the habit in prescribed moments.
Groups of 6 split on two end cones 16 yds apart, with two cones/poles in the center spaced 6 yds apart. (A tighter passing area); One ball w/spares nearby; (Try doing with groups of four?)
Play
One player at end cone starts with ball; Player on opposite side runs between central cones
central player one-times it back and then quickly moves to outside of the cone to his left (right)
Outside player makes a one-time pass to the inside (outside) foot outside the left (right) cone
Central player completes the half turn based on arrival of the ball and passes on second touch to the other end
5.After the rep, return to your same line
Progressions
pass to inside foot; inside half turn on left of cones (4 mins)
pass to inside foot; inside half turn on right of cones (4 mins)
pass to outside foot; outside half turn on the left (shielding from defender cones) (4 mins)
pass to outside foot; outside half turn on the right (shielding from defender cones) (4 mins)
Talking Points
Scan! Scan!
Can you show your teammate where you want the ball passed to?
Discussion on Speed (5 min)
Our last drill got you reps at your first touch in the half turn. Connecting quickly and making clean first touches to complete the turn improves your game speed.
Hopefully you were also practicing checking your shoulder as you came in to receive that first pass.
Next drill we’re going to focus on both our awareness (scanning) and quick decision making - other dimensions of soccer speed! In the last drill we practiced checking our shoulder but what you saw did not affect your next action. In this next drill you’ll need to react appropriately to something you see.
Please focus in this drill on the speed in which you react and take action yourself. Once we’re comfortable with the steps in the drill, this really is about execution speed to help us improve our awareness and quick decision making.
Drill 2: Roma Scanning Exercise Scan and React Drill (20 mins)
Groups of 4, with 3 in a line of 3 cones (8 yds apart). #1 has the “ball”, #2 is in the “middle”, #3 on “far” end. Everyone starts central (on their dots), extra man awaits behind #3 (far side from ball), will be used in the progression.
Play (Block 1)
Play begins when the far player makes a move to either side of his dot (middle player should be scanning and responding).
Central player #2 scans shoulder for movement of #3 to one corner or the other. Player #3 moves either to the left or the right (switch up which direction you choose when you’re #3).
As soon as #2 sees movement of #3, #2 quickly asks for a pass from #1
#1 sends a pass central to #2
#2 makes a one-time return to #1 and then moves quickly to the opposite side as #3, opening body inside for the half turn
#1 passes to inside back foot of #2
#2 receives back foot and sends quick pass accurately to awaiting #3
Rotation
#1 (ball) becomes #2 (middle),
#2 (middle) becomes #4 (out/defense),
#3 (far) dribbles to #1 (ball),
#4 (defense/out) becomes #3 (far)
SHADOW DEFENDING: Let’s talk a minute about a shadow defender, as it’s going to be part of the next block of this drill. Simulate opposition, but you’re only moving positionally, NOT tackling/going for the ball. Be unpredictable in your choice, but you’re not trying to “fake out” players.
Learn to be a good shadow defender, as we’re going to be incorporating this more into our situational drills as we work on decision making tight spaces.
Block 2 – shadow defender
In the progression, now a shadow defender is introduced to force scan/decision making by #1 based on whether the defender comes in to cover the middle player.
Now #4 is shadow defender.
When the middle player returns the pass to the starter, the shadow defender should either:
(a) move opposite side as #3 (leaving middle #2 available to connect with #3)
or
(b) come in and cover the middle #2), forcing through ball all the way from #1 to #3.
Switch up your decisions in your defender reps. Be unpredictable, but don’t “fake out”
Rotation
#1 (ball) becomes #2 (middle),
#2 (middle) becomes #4 (out/defense),
#3 (far) dribbles to #1 (ball),
#4 (defense/out) becomes #3 (far)
Hydration Break
Set up two large playing squares (18x18yds). We don’t need goals at the corners (can use cones for gates or just dribble-stop outside the square)
In groups of ~7-9 (5v2 up to 7v2), keep two balls away from the two defenders for rounds of 45-60 seconds. Basically a big possession rondo but with two balls going.
Restart any balls that go out of bounds. If defender wins possession, dribble-stop outside the square for whole offensive group to do a pushup.
Rotate the two defenders each round.
Talking points:
Head on a swivel!
In possession: With two balls going, you have to keep looking around as you could be getting open to support two separate ball carriers
Defenders it’s the same—you might be able to disrupt either of the balls in motion.
Scrimmage (20 mins)
Full field w/biggest goals possible (probably our puggs though)
3 teams for 5v5 with winner stays on
4-min max for sitting team to rejoin (last to score comes off)
3-goal max streak for team to stay on (questionable restriction!)
