Ball control, first touch
Mr. Ramirez called the kids over. "So, how was your session with manager Kay today?" he asked, expecting a lukewarm response.
The kids, however, were enthusiastic. "It was the most fun session ever!" Lucas exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.
Michael continued, "Yeah, we did all kinds of drills, and it was really cool!"
Ethan added, "I felt like a real goalkeeper today. Manager Kay really knows how to make training fun."
Their glowing reviews didn't sit well with Mr. Ramirez. In his mind, training wasn't supposed to be fun; it was supposed to be rigorous and demanding.
He had struggled daily to get these kids to focus and work hard, and the idea that they were simply enjoying themselves seemed counterproductive.
"Fun, huh?" Mr. Ramirez muttered under his breath. 'We'll see about that.'
He decided to keep a closer eye on Kay's sessions, convinced that the young coach was just fooling around and not taking the training seriously.
For Mr. Ramirez, it was about discipline and hard work, and he wasn't ready to accept that a different approach could be equally, if not more, effective.
The next day, when Kay arrived at the academy, he was greeted by Mr. Ramirez.
"Good morning, Kay. Today, I'll be accompanying you during the training session," Ramirez said, his tone neutral but observant.
Kay nodded, "Sure, Mr. Ramirez. Let's get started."
Today's session began much like the previous one, but Kay had planned to increase the intensity slightly to push the kids a bit more.
He started with a dynamic warm-up, incorporating agility ladders and quick footwork drills to get the kids moving and their heart rates up.
"Alright, everyone, let's pick up the pace today!" Kay called out, encouraging the kids to move faster through the drills.
The kids responded enthusiastically, their energy high.
Lucas, Ethan, Michael, Noah, and James all seemed more focused and engaged than ever.
They moved on to passing drills, where Kay had set up small goals at different points around the pitch.
The kids had to pass the ball quickly and accurately, trying to score through the mini goals.
Kay emphasized communication and movement off the ball, key fundamentals for developing young players.
"Keep your eyes up, always look for the open pass," Kay instructed, demonstrating the importance of awareness on the field.
Next were dribbling drills, where Kay set up a series of cones for the kids to weave through at increasing speeds.
He encouraged them to use both feet and to experiment with different moves.
"Don't be afraid to try new things. This is where you learn and grow," he said, motivating the kids to push their limits.
Shooting drills followed, with Kay setting up different shooting scenarios.
He had the kids practice one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper, emphasizing the importance of composure in front of goal.
"Take your time, pick your spot, and follow through," Kay coached, providing individual feedback to each player.
Finally, they ended with a defending drill, where the kids had to work in pairs to stop an attacker from scoring.
Kay emphasized positioning and teamwork.
"Work together, talk to each other, and cover your angles," he instructed, watching as the kids implemented his advice.
Throughout the session, Mr. Ramirez observed closely.
He noticed the kids were working hard but also seemed to be enjoying themselves, a balance he hadn't managed to achieve in his own sessions.
When the training ended, Kay gathered the kids around for a quick debrief.
"Great work today, everyone. Remember, the key is to keep improving little by little. We'll keep building on this," he said, high-fiving each kid as they headed off the pitch.
Mr. Ramirez approached Kay as the kids dispersed. "Kay, I have to admit, I saw some real effort and improvement today. You've got a good approach," he said, his tone more respectful.
"Thanks, Mr. Ramirez. I'm just trying to keep them engaged and learning," Kay replied, grateful for the acknowledgment.
Ramirez then mentioned, "We have two matches coming up; one in two weeks and another at the end of the month. These kids need to be ready. I should also mention that our academy team is not doing well. We're near the bottom of the standings."
Kay nodded, understanding the challenge ahead. "Got it. We'll work hard to improve and make the most of these sessions."
The following day, Kay gathered the kids around after their warm-up.
He had prepared a detailed program to help them improve their skills progressively.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Kay called out.
The kids quickly formed a semi-circle around him, their faces eager and attentive.
Mr. Ramirez stood off to the side, observing.
"Over the next few days, we're going to focus on some key areas: scanning the field, passing and moving into space, ball control, first touch, and communication," Kay began.
"Each day, we'll concentrate on one of these skills, and today, we're going to start with ball control and first touch."
He held up a ball. "Ball control and first touch are crucial. They allow you to keep possession and set up your next move. Let's get started with some drills."
For the first exercise, Kay began with 'Close Control Dribbling'.
Kay set up a series of cones in a zigzag pattern.
"First, we're going to work on close control dribbling. You'll weave in and out of these cones, keeping the ball close to your feet. Use both feet and focus on keeping the ball under control."
He demonstrated the drill with the help of a video, showing a player moving quickly but with precise touches.
The kids watched intently before lining up to take their turns.
Lucas was first, navigating the cones with some difficulty but improving with each try.
Ethan followed, showing better control but needing to work on his pace.
"Good, Lucas. Try to keep the ball closer to your feet. Ethan, great job with the control, now pick up the speed a bit," Kay coached, providing individual feedback as they progressed.
The second exercise chosen by Kay was 'First Touch and Control'.
Next, Kay set up a passing drill with a twist.
He placed the kids in pairs, standing about ten meters apart.
"In this drill, one of you will pass the ball, and the other will control it with one touch before passing it back. Focus on cushioning the ball with your first touch, bringing it under control before making the pass."
Kay demonstrated with the help of Ramirez, "Mr.Ramirez, could you show them".
Ramirez hesitated a little bit, but he agreed.
With Michael's assistance, Ramirez demonstrated the technique for them by receiving a pass and deftly controlling it with the inside of his foot before passing it back smoothly.
"See how he absorbs the ball's momentum with his first touch? Try to do the same."
The kids began the drill, initially struggling but gradually improving.
James and Noah worked well together, with James showing impressive control.
"Great touch, James! Keep it up, Noah!" Kay encouraged.
The third exercise was 'First Touch Under Pressure'
For the final drill, Kay introduced a bit of pressure to simulate game conditions.
He set up a small square with cones and had the kids take turns inside it.
The player inside the square had to receive a pass, control it with their first touch, and then pass it back while another player applied light pressure.
"This drill will help you get used to controlling the ball under pressure. Remember to stay calm and use your body to shield the ball if necessary," Kay instructed.
He demonstrated again, with Lucas applying pressure as Ramirez received the ball, controlled it quickly, and passed it back smoothly.
The kids took turns, initially finding it challenging but improving with each attempt.
Aiden, in particular, showed a remarkable improvement, using his body well to maintain control.
"Well done, everyone! Remember, it's all about keeping your cool and focusing on that first touch," Kay said, praising their efforts.
After the drills, Kay gathered the kids around once more. "Great job today. Ball control and first touch are fundamental skills that will help you in every part of the game. So for tomorow we will practice..."
See you in the next chapter ...
- - -Author's note: - - -
Hey guys, hope you're doing well!
I want to know your opinion on the training sessions. Do you prefer them detailed like this or just a quick overview with the main points? Let me know in the comments!
Also, I've reached 20 advanced chapters on P@treon today!
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