TST Curriculum 2025 : Parts #1 - #6

 

This is a game based session centered around 2v1s, 1v1s, and 2v2s.

(There are no 3v3s).

 

Zombie/scarecrow

 

Warm up : Zombie/scarecrow [All players] : Emphasize the importance of 

• Keeping the ball close, 
• Getting the head up, and
• Being aware of space. 
  • (This will hopefully naturally develop touches to space, lateral touches, fakes, turns etc).

 

AVOID FFPs and isolated FFP practice.

If players are ready for FFPs then they have possibly out grown the 2v2 level.

 

Foot-Shapes

• Players can start to work on basic foot-shapes Using the online resource /flip-books to see the levels.
• You do very simple exercises initially.
• Start at the most basic level and build as players develop.

 

Running with ball : Nudge Touches and simple constraints

In terms of running with the ball,

• Develop 'nudge touches (touch step touch) and turns' initially. [Make it fun . Add goals. Races].
• You could things like use insides only, outsides only, right foot only, left foot only.
• Play games like 'Racing cars : Slalom' etc.

 

Develop good control, passing and finishing technique

Develop good control, passing and finishing technique (T-shape development) but use games (and gentle reminders on the run) to develop this amap.

 

Summary

In very simple summary of what I would do* (you can do your own games etc but it must look like a TST session).

• 1. Zombie scarecrow...add in the technical elements they will need in the 2v1. [All players]
• 2. I would play 2v1 games where each attacker can only score in their goal. (They have a goal each).
• 3. Develop running with the ball, control, passing etc - using fun races
• 3. I would use pass and press (1v1) exercises to develop technique (pass, control, evasion techniques (turns, stop starts, pauses, fakes , explosive lateral movement etc).
• 4. I would play 2v2s promo/relegation as the last part of the session.

 

If players are standing out : they need to move up a group

When players start to excel in the 2v2 games we would look to move them up to a 3v3 group.

 

Notes

If your sessions are not going well - remember it is your fault (so you need to fix your mistakes). If you pitch it right, then session will be fine.

 

Massive TST tip 

• Avoid queues and periods of inactivity / downtime.
• Give players there own space if there are 4 players or less.
• No more than 2 players per space if not possible to give each player their own space.
• Never have 3 players using the same space (this means as 1 works the other 2 will disengage).
• Don't give players a chance to disengage.

 

 

 

Text book session format :

Get on the same page.

1. All together (One coach in charge) : Scarecrow / Zombie (emphasize the 3 key coaching points / learning opportunities => Keep ball close, keep the head up, use the space to get away from the zombie). [Tell players to not panic/rush and not to try to beat the zombie - 'zombies don't chase you if you turn away to space'].

 

Then Split into groups

2. TST foot shapes homework (do something on this) - 5 min max [Isolate Practice] - remind them it is their homework (the resource link is on the website)

3. Play a game [ Maybe a 'through the gate' / ' hit a cone' game] that develops 'T-shape' control / passing.

4. Introduce footwork slowly and carefully (don't jump straight into FFPs)

• 4.1. Less advanced : Just practice nudge touches and turns : Then
• 4.2 : Next level : Right only, Left Only, Inside only, outside only, bottom of the foot: Then
• 4.3 : More advanced : Practice key footwork Patterns (no cones) : Inside switch Outside : Inside step Outside : Inside Inside (5 min max) see vid below (plus give feedback - plus make the race about finishing 2nd or 3rd - not first - to slow the footwork down and to help them make sure they do it right).

5. Add in a Turn game (play a game to make turns fast and snappy) : maybe do a different turn each week. (5 min max)

6. Play games : A 2v1 (where each attacker has their own goal _ defender. if they win the ball. can score in any (all 4) goals.

7. Play pass and press 1v1 games (4 backward goals games are good)

8. Play 3v1 , 2v2b possession games tec.

9. Play 2v2s (up and down)