C- Working sessions for 13-14 year old teenagers

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

The age of puberty signs the beginning of a period of emotional unbalance and constant humour changes. The youngster alternates moments when he/she feels full of energy and liveliness with others of shyness and unsociability; he/she's surprised as well as all others around him/her, with this transformation.

From the motor point of view, there's coordination deterioration (full control of the body, which becomes "new", seems to fail) and somatic discord appears due to the body's changes during puberty.

The teenager needs to collect him/herself, which means gain familiarity with those arms and legs now too long, which imbalance the relation upper body-limbs. The whole body scheme needs to be changed.

The instructor's task would be to relief the students during this temporal crisis: for this it is crucial that he/she'd be able to justify the exercises, in order for the youngsters to appreciate and evaluate the real benefits.

Repetition of exercises represents, at this age, the methodological line needed to improve the technical abilities acquired beforehand.

It's essential to create homogeneous working groups: often, in this period of the age of development, the biologic age does not correspond to the chronologic age.

As long as the cardio-respiratory system, we must take into account two aspects:

• The youngster's heart responds to muscular efforts with a remarkable increasing of heart-beats' frequency (minor systolic range), therefore, in an anti-economical way compared to adults.

• The static and dynamic pulmonary volumes increase progressively during the growing period and they tend to reach a higher value compared to the pubertal period. In youngsters an increase in the pulmonary ventilation is followed with an increase in the respiratory frequency, while in the adult the increased ventilation is accompanied with a deeper breathing.

The motor activity should be addressed to the recuperation of the psychomotor education that should have been made during the previous years, and only afterwards to the development of body condition capacities.

This is a very good period for the development of the speed power (after a correct learning of the movement) with little overload (dumbbells or small barbells), which shall not exceed 20% of the body weight. Strongly unadvised are exercises with maximum loads addressed to the development of the body strength, since the osteo-articular system is not consolidated yet. During the aerobic training, it is possible to add periodical exercises with short accelerations (from 5″ to 30″ and preferably with the use of a ball), but always using aerobic sources of energy (avoiding the anaerobic ones).

Attention should be also paid to the maintenance and improvement of flexibility.

As long as the technical aspect regards, we shall prefer those exercises that can be repeated frequently and all over the training session.

WORKING SESSION # 1

Technical aim:

Pass-stopping

Motor aim:

Motor anticipation, reaction speed.

1. STARTING GAME:

Duration 10'- 15'

3 teams with different colours composed of 4-5 players into a 20x20 m. square.

a) After establishing the colour sequence, the players send the ball with a pass using the inside face of the foot to the next colour, who has to control it with the A) inside, B) outside, C) sole.

b) After establishing the colour sequence, two players of the same team perform a close exchange (1-2), before passing the ball to the player with the next colour, who repeats with his partner the same movement.

2. EXERCISES AND SITUATIONS

Duration 20'- 30'

a) into a rhomb, players split into groups of 3-4 on the corners, while a player stays in the centre. Player A performs a pass to player B in the centre, who stops the ball with the inside face of the foot towards the direction of player C, with whom he exchanges the ball (1-2) while C?s running. C controls the ball with the inside and passes it to player D, who repeats the sequence. After having performed the pass, every player returns running to his initial position.

Versions:

Players in the centre perform the ball?s stopping with the outside face of both feet.

b) Exercise A's difficulty can be increased placing two players at the centre, shoulders face to face. Two other players, placed at opposite corners have balls. The former ones start running at the same time, exchanging the balls with the two players in the centre.

3. THEME GAME

Duration 10' - 15'

In a 20x30 m. field, match 4>4 with small goals, with the obligation to play with 2 knocks, following the instructor?s directions with

a) the inside

b) the outside

4. FREE PLAYING

Match

WORKING SESSION # 2

Technical aim:

Dribbling.

Motor aim:

Motor anticipation, aerobic strength.

Players' age: 13- 14

1. STARTING GAME:

Duration: 10'-15'

Prepare a 20x15 m. field, with scattered cones in the inside. Players control the ball, with the obligation to perform a feint once in front of a cone, without stopping the run. One penalty for every cone touched. Every 2 minutes and 30 seconds, active recovery with stretching. Repeat 3-6 times.

Versions:

a) After the feint, exchange the ball with a partner.

b) Two groups with different coloured t-shirts. After the feint, exchange the ball with a partner holding a different colour.

2. EXERCISES AND SITUATIONS

Duration: 20' - 25'

Versions:

1<1. Square field, about 15 m. with four groups placed on the four corners. Play 1<1 with the partner placed frontally, with the obligation for the forward to perform a feint without stopping the run. At the beginning, the defender plays passively, afterwards actively. This is the moment to explain to the players the fast attacking move (to put the defender into difficulty) and the "stalling", after a fast defender's start.

The exercise's intensity depends on the number of players: minimum four per field, maximum eight.

Versions:

a) Play 1<1 with a partner placed at the opposite side of the diagonal.

3. THEME GAME

Duration: 15' - 20'

10x15 m. field, with two small goals and a 5x15 m. space behind the two goal-lines. Two numbered groups move outside the goal-lines following the ball and when their numbers are called they have to play 1>1 inside the field. Time allowed to score a goal: 15 seconds (Picture 1).

Picture 1: 1<1 aiming for goal.

4. FREE PLAYING

Match 3<3 or 5<5.

WORKING SESSION #3

Technical aim:

The shot

Tactical aim:

Learn to free oneself from marking; position and pressure on the ball's holder. Control of the ball.

Motor aim:

Speed, resistance to speed

1. STARTING GAME:

Duration: 10'- 15'

a) A rectangular 5x8 m. field, players divided into pairs, one ball. The player placed at the centre of the short side of the rectangle passes the ball with the inside face of the foot to the partner placed opposite to him, which receives the ball controlling it with the a) inside - b) outside, while he tries to free himself 1>1 from the marker. He has to reach the other side of the rectangle and stop the ball with the foot at the line in order to cast a point.

INSTRUCTIONS: the marker has to avoid the frontal confrontment. He has to move sideways with fast moves, trying to force the player outside the field.

Versions:

Two small goals for concluding the action.

2. EXERCISES AND SITUATIONS

Duration: 20'-25'

Three groups of players. Players A and B placed themselves, one with the ball and one without, at the limit of the penalty area, on the corners. In front of them, a series of cones has been placed (5 for A, ball holder - 6 for B, without ball). They perform a slalom through the cones: at the end of the slalom, player A passes the ball to player C placed at 20m. outside the area, as the vertex of A and B.

Player C receives the ball after having performed a slalom through 5 stakes, and confronts player B 1>1 before concluding with a goal shot. A replaces B, B replaces C and C replaces A. Depending on the number of players, the recovery time changes as well as the intensity of the exercise.

Versions:

Player A, after passing the ball to B becomes his partner confronting 2>1 player C.

3. THEME GAME

Duration: 2 half times of 5'

A 30x20m. field. 6-7 couples of players confront themselves 1>1 at the same time, aiming for the goal and avoiding contact with the other pairs. Wins the team that has scored more goals.

4. FREE PLAYING

Match.

WORKING SESSION #4

Technical aim:

Pass

Tactical aim:

Defensive game, defensive diagonal

Motor aim:

Aerobic strength, speed resistance

1. STARTING GAME

Duration: 10' - 15'

3 teams of 5 players into a 20x30m. field. Inside one half of the field, two teams confront each other, trying to perform 5 consecutive passes in order to cast a point. The team that wins the point, moves into the other half and confronts the third team, until then inactive. The team that wins the point maintains control of the ball.

2. EXERCISES AND SITUATIONS

Duration: 20'- 25'

2>2. Two players (A-B) play as defenders and place themselves inside the penalty area at opposite vertex with a ball. Players C and D stay at 10m. outside the area, at a distance of 15m. one from the other. A sends the ball to C and attacks him, while B defends A (defensive diagonal). If C passes the ball to D immediately, B will attack him, while A will perform the diagonal with B. Forward players should conclude with a goal shot within 10-12 seconds after receiving the ball.

3. THEME GAME

Duration: 15'

3 teams of 5 players into a 20x30m. field. Two teams confront themselves into half field with two goalkeepers. The central team holds the ball and must shot into the goal, while the defender team has to cross the midfield line holding the ball without shooting it in order to confront the third attacking team that must shot a goal.

4. FREE PLAYING

Match

WORKING SESSION #5

Technical aim:

Head's hit

Motor aim:

Lower-body limbs? strength, balance, speed, speed resistance.

1. STARTING GAME

Duration: 10'- 15'

Three groups of 5 players with differently coloured t-shirts, disposed on a 30x20m. field, delimited by small cones. Two balls shall be used. Players have to perform the maximum number of passes with the head following the established colour sequence. The ball cannot touch the terrain.

Version:

a) with only one ball.

b) the player who receives the ball, may shot it two times, performing only with the head the ball?s control and a pass.

2. EXERCISES AND SITUATIONS

Duration: 20' - 25'

Groups of three players place themselves at a distance of 15m. one from the other. The two players on the sides have a ball, and the player in the middle performs short sprints in order to shot the ball with the head back to the other two players, for at least 20″. The sprint must be made with one foot, alternating the right and the left one. Afterwards, players exchange positions.

PAY ATTENTION TO:

• Proper opening of the arms during the sprint (balance)

• Proper impact of the ball on the forehead.

1>1 with head's goal:

Place a defender (B) inside a 5x5m. square field placed between the lateral and the external line of the penalty area. Another player (striker C) stays at the penalty area's limit, in central position. A third player holds the ball (A) 20m. away from the square. He has to confront the defender inside the square (home) and after having surpassed him, has to perform a cross towards the striker, which has to conclude only with the head.

Version:

Another defender (D) places himself inside the penalty area, trying to contrast with the head the striker's cross.

3. THEME GAME

Duration: 10'- 15'

Two teams of 8 players confront each other in a 20x30m. field with two external lanes, where two neutral players are placed. Players must go through one of the neutral players, who have to perform a cross without being stopped towards a striker which can make goal only with the head.

4. FREE PLAYING

Match.

C- WORKING SESSIONS FOR 14-16 YEARS OLD TEENAGERS

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

Even if the phase training (functional circuit) adopted for the former categories may be maintained, the pedagogical units for this age group are different, since the playing situations are more complicated. The discussion of individual and group tactics becomes crucial, and technical exercises are more intensive.

The objectives and activities presented here are related only with technical and tactical aspects. However, in this category may be included also physical and athletic exercises of low and medium intensity, in order to present theoretic and practical training methods (strength, resistance, speed, flexibility). Only small loads shall be used for training. It is useful be to teach, for example, the technique for springs or the coordination of reactivity exercises or right postures for stretching.

The trainer must bear in mind that, in the framework of a physical direct training, modern and specific, the "blunt" work has to be included in the football program, while the condition objectives are reached through activities using the ball.

This program leaves a huge degree of liberty to the trainer. For example, after the evaluation of environmental, logistic and organizational situations, it is possible to foresee days for resting, when a trip or other cultural activities can be organized.

Where possible, series of test (entry and exit) can be realised.

Five Pedagogical Units follow, as example of this table.

WORKING SESSION #1

Technical aim:

Pass

Tactical aim:

Giving of the ball, overcoming of a defensive block

1. PEDAGOGICAL PROGRESSION

(Exercises' situation)

1) (Picture 1). On the sides of an 8x8m. square, 4 players exchange the ball with only one touch, in clockwise and anticlockwise direction, using the inside and outside faces of both feet.

2) (Picture 2). A defender places himself in the middle of the square. He has to regain possession of the ball. The player that fails enters in the square.

3) In a 10x10m. square, two defenders place themselves in the middle. The players that try to maintain the possession of the ball move along the sides of the square.

4) (Picture 3). Players move all inside the square. The one who losses the possession of the ball becomes a defender.

The field dimensions, as well as the distances, the versions and the number of touches shall be changed according to the players' level.

2. THEME GAME

Three teams. The aim is to resolve a situation of 4 against 2. The yellow team has to defend the yellow neutral zone and the red try, placing two players in the first sector and two in the second one. The blue and white teams have to perform 5 attacking actions, gaining 1 point when they reach the yellow zone and 3 when they reach the red one. The two yellow defenders in the second sector, which defend the red try, may use the offside. Defenders cannot enter the neutral zone. At the end, the blue and the white team will defend 10 times each. Wins the team that has the best score and that has overcome the defensive blocks more times reaching the tries. Versions: limit the number of touches, or the time allowed to reach the red try.

3. 2>1 SITUATIONS

Inside small fields, players perform 2>1 situations. The two strikers have to cross the field?s side confronting one defender and then attack the other side playing against another player who has waited outside the field. Every two minutes, roles are exchanged and every 4 minutes players exchange the partner. Defenders must start always from different positions.

4. THEME MATCH

A match is played, in order to exercise the following aspects:

• Use only the non dominant limb;

• Use only the inside or the outside face of the feet;

• Limit the number of touches;

• Minimum 5 passes before conclusion to goal.

5. FREE PLAYING

WORKING SESSION #2

Technical aim:

Reception of the ball

Tactical aim:

Pressing

1. PEDAGOGICAL PROGRESSION

In the following suggestions, it is crucial to vary:

-the ball's trajectory (straight, parabolic, frontal, lateral, grazing, etc.);

-the ball's speed;

-the starting points of the ball.

In this way, players would improve their sensitive and receptive capacities, as well as the spatial coordination.

1) Into a 6x6m. square field, a player receives a ball sent by a partner, changing the modality of reception. At the beginning, performs a stop, then two control moves while he goes outside the square, right and left, and two other going from the back to the front side. Afterwards, he?ll repeat the sequence. He uses both sides of the feet and the body following the trainer's guidelines regarding the ball's reception (Picture 6).

2) Then an opponent comes in at the ball?s throwing, coming from one of the square's side, bothers the player who has to receive the ball, which has to move in order to avoid the rival. This one can come either from the right or from the left side, and even behind the player (Picture 7).

3) In this last situation, the same player which throws the ball attacks the receiver together with a second defender, which may come from different positions. The player who receives the ball has to exit the square without loosing the ball. (Picture 8).

2. THEME GAME

8>4 aimed at pressing

Two teams, the reds and the yellows, inside a square, while the blues place themselves on the lateral lines. Yellows and blues maintain the possession of the ball, while the reds perform a pressing for 1' 30". Then the teams exchange their roles. Wins the group that conquers more balls in the established time. Two series may be executed. It is crucial to guide the pressing: first of all, when the ball is inside the touches, giving the ball to the external players; then, with a high ball, since it is difficult to control; finally, looking for a player in trouble. It is very important to manage the communication among the players, so as to address the pressing to one zone or one particular player (Picture 9).

3. GROUP TACTICAL SITUATION

Group pressing extremely offensive into half field: a 10a8 gets ready, the action always begins with the goalkeeper who plays with the red players. This team has to conquer the midfield line, while the white team has to contrast in an organized way and once they get the ball, they have to score a goal confronting the reds (Picture 10).

4. THEME MATCH

Play a match with the obligation to perform two touches. In this case, the players have to control the ball permanently, in a tactic established way, having also thought about the following action.

5. FREE PLAYING

WORKING SESSION #3

Technical aim:

Give and receive

Tactical aim:

Organisation during the transitional positive and negative phases

1. TECHNICAL TRAINING

In pairs, standing still one in front of the other, increasing the distance at every version, perform:

• One touch passes with the inside face of both feet;

• Control of the ball with the right inside, then pass with the left inside and vice versa;

• Control of the ball with the outside face, then pass it with the foot's neck skimming the ground, right and left-.

• Control and level shot at medium high

• Control and long distance shot

2. THEME GAME

Three teams into delimited fields with adequate dimensions depending on the number and level of the players (Picture 11). The game is useful for the transitional negative phase, i.e. from possession to non possession. One team maintains the possession of the ball in one of the two spaces and gains one point every 6 performed passes. If the opponents do conquer the ball, they gain a point and they have to send it immediately to the other team which is waiting into the other space. The players who loss the ball, have to run into the space where the ball was shot in order to prevent the opponents from making the 6 passes. In order to gain a point they have to conquer the ball again and throw it into the first space, where a team is waiting and so on. Wins the team that has more points.

3. 2>2 SITUATION

15x15m. field and two goals (5m. each) (Picture 12). The situation can be played also 3a3, changing adequately the dimensions. Players holding the ball pass it to the opponents, feigning a ball?s loosing. The two players who received the ball must gain the rival goal in order to get a point. The other team can gain a point when it conquers the ball again. Roles must be exchanged.

4. THEME GAME

10 against 8 1 goalkeeper (Picture 13). One team has to maintain possession of the ball inside a delimited field, gaining one point every 6 passes. The other team composed by 10 players and disposed according to their own system has to conquer the ball and go for goal confronting the goalkeeper (positive transition). Obviously, defenders must move towards the goal in order to aid the goalkeeper and favour the negative transition. The game starts over and over again into the same field. After a while, roles are exchanged.

5. FREE PLAYING

WORKING SESSION #4

Individual tactical aim:

Confrontation, anticipation, marking, positioning, marking.

Group tactical aim:

Organization of the defensive phase following system 3412.

1. FUNDAMENTAL DEFENCE EXERCISES

The red player, holding the ball, has to play laterally towards the yellow player in order to favour anticipation with a level ball, on the right and on the left. At the beginning, the blue player remains passive, afterwards he intervenes actively. The exercise has to be performed standing still and moving forwards or backwards, paying special attention to the running. Perform the same exercise for anticipation at medium high and for the head's shot during the defensive phase (Picture 14).

2. 1>1 SITUATION

The 1a1 situation is aimed at defending the goal. The defender shots the ball towards a striker who runs to score a goal (Picture 15). The situation is played inside a half field delimited by a halfback lane on both sides. The defender runs to conquer the frontal space and then:

• Runs away to avoid focusing;

• Orients himself in order to pass the ball to an external striker;

• Stares at the ball, so as not to be fooled by feints;

• Guards the goal;

• Waits for the right moment to conquer the ball.

3. GROUP TACTICAL SITUATION

Progression during the defensive phase:

1) into a field, 5 blue players (two strikers and three midfielders) plus two external players, which have a supporting role, or are ready to perform a cross or close a run with a pass, overlapping a partner and they play only in the touches. Three red defenders play against the blues. The reds must put into practice the correct tactical moves in order to regain control of the ball and prevent a score. They defend only the central zone of the field delimited by the prolongation of the area (Picture 16).

2) After a while, the 2 red midfielders enter the field (7a5) (Picture 17).

3) The match goes on with three blue players and two red external players (10a7). At this point, if the defender team gains control of the ball, it has to move towards the midfield (Picture 18).

4) Finally, the three-quarter enters the field (10a8).

During the performance of the situation, it is important to intervene to organize the defensive phase, correcting possible individual/group tactical errors.

4. THEME GAME

Match one to one with fixed pairs and with three touches. Then into the midfield:

• Offside into the own midfield;

• Two touches into the own midfield, then free touches inside the rival midfield;

• The goal is valid only if all the players of one team are inside the rival midfield.

5. FREE PLAYING

WORKING SESSION #5

Technical aim:

Deep pass, cross, shot into the goal

Tactical aim:

Freeing oneself from marking, defensive phase organization 3-4-1-2

1. TECHNICAL TRAINING

Shot of the ball in depth: every red player, holding a ball, has a blue partner. The reds play the ball on the three-quarter, the blues move without. The trainer calls a pair: the blue player, then, frees himself from marking and scores with two touches. If he's in central position, after the counter movement, cuts towards the outside. On the contrary, if he?s on the side, after the counter movement he moves towards the centre.

2. PROGRESSION DURING TE DEFENSIVE PHASE (FROM 3A0 TO 3A3)

(Picture 20) Following the established system, three players will develop an action towards the goal. The ball's holder performs a feint over a cone and the action starts when he raises the head. The attacking forward, after a counter movement, rejoins the midfielder, performs an exchange and makes room. Once the halfback receives the ball, serves the external player who attacks the space behind the defence. At this point, the midfielder can choose to support the external player to cross over the backwards' pass or meet the attacking forward to conclude on the cross performed from the outside. The move has to be performed on both sides of the field, after having organized the two teams. Pay special attention to the technical aspects, the action performance, verify times, spaces and communication.

2) 3a1 situation (Picture 21). Once divided into two groups on the right and on the left, a defender enters running towards the ball?s holder. He will decide whether to close the external passage or mark the midfielder which appears after the shot. Following the same moves of the previous action, the midfielder will support the external player if the defender chooses to control the touch, or he?ll try to free himself from marking into the area, whether marked by the defender.

3) 3a2 situation. A second defender starts marking the attacking forward, who will have to free himself from marking before exchanging the ball and run into the area. The midfielder will have to choose between the two already known solutions depending of the defender's move, as in the previous situation.

4) 3a3 situation (Picture 22). At the end, a third defender enters the field, which follows closely the external player on the touch. The players are free to choose the solution more efficient to reach the goal.

3. GROUP TACTICAL SITUATION DURING THE OFFENSIVE PHASE

The game starts 10a0, with a 3412 system. The trainer has to show to every player the correct moves to maintain possession of the ball depending on his position on the field and the ball?s movement. For example, the pendulum moving of the halfbacks, the in-depth aiming of the attacking forwards in order to leave free space to the three-quarter who always looks for the ball, or the external players' moves over the turning ball, when they have to bend or raise to attack. One after the other the players enter the field, and place themselves in defensive phase. The game can start with a 10a3 and end with a 10a8 (Picture 23). Then the players play a match in which the attacking team has to score a goal and the 8 players in defensive phase must regain control of the midfield lane.

4. THEME MATCH

A Match into a field divided into equal sections:

• A defence zone where players perform two touches and offside may be used;

• A midfield zone where only one touch is allowed, so as to gave speed to the move;

• An attacking zone, where touches are free, so there's no limit to the striker's initiative.

Three players for every section, with the rule that only one player can enter the advanced zone, but no one is allowed to get into the lower zone. A "jolly" player plays always with the ball's holder and can enter all sections.

5. FREE PLAYING

Main Sponsors

 

Toll Free Number: 1 800 221 4551