Soccer Camps - Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge - FFTW Development

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Hope you are all doing well.

Our fourth week is officially in the bag with all three of our age groups working on aerial control.

Here are the coaching points below:

All Age Groups:

Aerial Control

- Watch the flight of the ball
- Adjust your body (dependent on flight of the ball)
- Before you receive the ball, decide what surface you are going to use to control the ball (This has to be done after watching the flight of the ball and adjusting your body)
- Cushion touch: let the ball come to you, you do not reach for the ball (if you reach, the ball will bounce off you, you want the body part you are controlling with to act as a sponge)
- (FOR 10-13 Age Group) Travel touch: Watch the flight, adjust your body, decide which surface and take your touch into space OR if there is a defender there, in the opposite direction
- Awareness - check your shoulders, if there is a defender behind you, you need to cushion/protect the ball. If there is no defender, realize you can turn with a travel touch or a cushion/turn touch.

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6-7/8-9 Age Group:

Comments from Coaches

For the younger age groups, more specifically to the 6-7's, this was a hard topic but we were very very impressed by how the entire group went about the session. Both age groups were improving just throughout the hour and although some players still bend their knees when trying to a control in the ball in the air, we saw a lot of mistakes get fixed.

At this age, the most critical and important control is to be able to control while it is in the air or when it bounces. The players main touch should be with the top of their foot and for the 8-9's, they should start practicing with their inside, outside, thigh and chest which was covered throughout the session.

For a lot of players this is the first time they did this and it was a good beginning. Remember to keep practicing and as long as you see the ball, adjust your body and let the ball come to you rather than reaching for the ball, you will improve.

10-13 Age Groups:

Comments from Coaches

Overall, we were very happy with all the players in the group when working on their cushion control in the air as well as their travel touch. The key things to remember are to always keep your eyes on the ball and beforehand know which surface you are going to use and where you are going to go. 

Apart from knowing what is happening around you, players should know that as soon as they know they can turn, they turn with the correct part of their body but not only know this but also where their teammates are so once a defender does start coming, they can release or take the defender on 1 v 1.

Other than that, the intensity was great and there was good improvements made by all players. Remember not to be afraid of the ball and if it is coming at you fast or high, adjust your body to help take away the impact and you'll be controlling the ball rather than the ball controlling you.

Other than these main points, the group did very well and we will see you all very soon!