Churchvilla FC was founded 1968
It is important that all players practice what they have learnt in their training sessions, and where possible parents practice with them to ensure that they are practising correctly.

Step 1 Practice Tips - Under 7

Kicking the ball hard / shooting
Do Not Kick the ball with your toe !
How to shooting
1. Take a small run up to the ball.
2. Plant your standing foot next to the ball.
3. Open up your body and swing your leg from as far back as you can
4. Point your toe downwards and strike the ball with the middle of your foot where laces are.
5. Let your foot follow through, like a golf swing.

Practice this against a wall, moving further back you your kick becomes stronger.
Or with a friend, taking turns to try and score goals in each other.

Passing
A good pass should be on the ground in front of your team mate.
How to pass
1. You need to be on your toes to anticipate where the ball will go.
2. Control the ball with the inside of your foot and push the ball slightly in front of you.
3. Move to the ball and plant your standing foot next to the ball.
4. Lean over the ball and puch the ball with the inside of your foot to your team mate.

Practice this playing 2 touch with friends where you have only 2 touches of the ball, Control with your instep and then pass.
Or do the same against a wall.

Heading
As you get older heading is a very important part of the game.
How to Head the ball.
1. You need to be on your toes to anticipate where the ball will go.
2. Move towards the ball and try to get the ball to hit the front of your head, between your hair and your eyebrows.
3. As the ball hits you try and push your neck forward to add power to make the ball go further.

You can try this on your own by throwing the ball in the air and heading the ball away, or with friends as you all take turns to throw the ball gently to each other.

Skills
Try to practice all of the 3 turns and control skills that you learn in training when you are at home including:
Turns
1. Dragback - Dragging the ball back with the bottom of your boot and turning away with the ball
2. Cruyff - Dragging the ball back with the inside of your foot and turning away with the ball
3. L shape turn - Drag the ball back just past your standing leg and then push the ball sideways with your instep and turn away with the ball.
Controls
1. Passing the ball from foot to foot every step you take
2. Practise dribbling through objects or running with the ball with your head up, not loooking at the ball.
3. Practise dribbling using the inside and the outside of your foot.

Using Both Feet
No player has a good foot and a bad foot !
All players will be able to use both feet if they practice.
Always try all training tips with both feet


Step 2 Practice Tips Under 11
This must include all of the basics Step 1 tips and :

Kicking the ball hard/ shooting
• Practice shooting from further distances.
• Try to shoot with the ball going in the air rather than on the ground, remember to lean back slightly as you kick the ball.
• Try to aim for smaller targets or specific areas of the goal.
Strength in your shooting or kicking a ball hard is vital by this stage, as you will be playing in matches on full size pitches.
By this stage we should be aiming to be able to kick the ball off the ground and over 20m away from you.
If your kick is weak you will be at a dissadvantage to other players who are maybe not as skilfull as you.
Practice, Practice Practice !!!

Passing -
Passing should be much sharper and because you are used to looking up you can see passes much sooner.

• Make sure you 'put a name' on your pass, tell your teammate if your passing to him.
• Expect the ball back, once you have passed the ball make sure you are ready for a pass back to you.
• Try to put your pass in front of your team mate so they can run onto the ball without stopping or slowing down.
Heading -
You should now be comfortable heading the ball if it is kicked towards you .
• Try heading the ball as your teammates cross the ball towards the goals.
• Try to change the direction of the ball as you head it, maybe towards the goals or as a pass to a team mate.
Skills
By this stage you should be able to complete all of the skills shown above quickly and be using them in practice matches where possible.
• Keep practising your skills & try to pick up new skills from friends or from watching football.
• Keep trying all skills with both feet.
Positions
This is relatively new to players as they start playing in full sized games.
The four key positions are Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfield & Forwards.
• Spend time watching professional football to understand how the top players in each position play.
• Learn how to play in all positions !
• If you are not sure ask your manager
Fitness & Commitment
By now it is important that your take lots of excersise and train as hard as you can in your training sessions.
• Football is a team game and works if all players are trying hard as a team.
• All Managers and parents expect their players to try as much as every other player on the team.
• Do not worry about making mistakes, even the best players in the world still make mistakes !
• Encourage your team mates & respect your opponents
• ENJOY !