Week 1 (Dribbling)

This is a simplified version of your classic scissors technique. The older players can attempt to do actual scissors, but for the younger children, just getting them to step over the ball and to start using all the surfaces of their feet is a good foundation. Here are three quick steps for this move:

1. If you are right footed, demonstrate this move by starting with the ball to the outside of your right foot so that you are standing beside the ball. 
2. Next, STEP OVER the ball so that it is now between your feet. 
3. Finally, lift your left foot over the ball and use the outside of the left foot to push the ball away and start to dribble.

Teaching passing is as easy as three steps:

1. PLANT your foot (left if you are right footed)
2. TURN your other foot (right if you are right footed)
3. PASS the ball by kicking it with the inside of the turned foot

Note: Receiving a pass and trapping the ball should also be done with the inside of the foot. Trying to stop the ball by putting your foot on top of it will become a bad habit at the higher-age levels.

Very similar to passing, here are three simple steps:

1. PLANT your foot (left if you are right footed)
2. POINT your other foot at the ground (right if you are right footed)
3. SHOOT the ball by kicking it with your laces

Note: Receiving a pass and trapping the ball should also be done with the inside of the foot. Trying to stop the ball by putting your foot on top of it will become a bad habit at the higher-age levels.

Note: Receiving a pass and trapping the ball should also be done with the inside of the foot. Trying to stop the ball by putting your foot on top of it will become a bad habit at the higher-age levels.

Having the kids pretend to be surfers can make your explanation of these steps easier:

1. Turn sideways
2. Bend at the knees
3. Stay between the ball and the defender (Coach)

Note: Older players might be able to do this while having a foot on the ball and pivoting, but the younger ones are better off just focusing on the form and staying between the defender and the ball.

This might be the one skill of the season that is hard to put into words, especially since no one can even agree on the name (inside cut, outside cut, L cut, cut, etc.). EPYSA calls it the J Cut so that is the term we are using. Simply put, use the inside (or outside) of the foot to make a 90 (or 180) degree turn away from pressure. 

To perform the Pull Back, place a foot on top of the ball, roll it behind, and then turn and dribble away. Players should not be launching the ball backwards, but instead, be maintaining control while escaping pressure in a game. 

Play any games that your team wants, make up your own, or even scrimmage for the entire session. Recap the skills learned in Weeks 1-8. Make this final session as much fun as possible!