Week 5

Outcomes

• ✓Players can perform an inside chop with dominant foot
• ✓Players can perform an inside chop with non-dominant foot
• ✓Players can link a chop into an accelerating run
• ✓Players understand the chop is most effective at speed

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 4 pinnies
• 2 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free-roam.

   How to run it: Players dribble at 60% pace. On 'chop!' they plant and use the inside of one foot to cut the ball sharply 90° and accelerate. Alternate the cutting foot on each call.

   • ›Plant foot beside the ball, not behind it
   • ›Chopping foot drives across the body
   • ›Immediate burst after the cut

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Grid of 8 cones in two rows, 3 yds between each.

   How to run it: Players weave through cones using only inside cuts. Two passes slow, two passes at 75%. Add: outside cut weave for variety. Finish with dynamic groin stretches and ankle circles.

   • ›Keep the ball in front – don't let it run under you
   • ›Low hips on the cut for quick direction change

3. 3. Technical Practice – Chop & Shoot

   15m

   Set up: Cones form a T-shape: top bar 6 yds wide, stem 8 yds. Player starts at bottom; two mini goals at each end of the top bar.

   How to run it: Player dribbles up the stem. At the top of the T, coach points left or right. Player chops in that direction and shoots. Three rounds each. Progress: coach calls direction just as player arrives (less reaction time). Ask: 'Where do you need to be looking as you reach the T?'

   • ›Scan before you arrive at the decision point
   • ›Chop foot drives across and behind the ball
   • ›Body angle after chop faces the goal immediately
   • ›Strike with laces – no toe-pokes

4. 4. Skill Game – Chop Minefield

   15m

   Set up: 25×20 yd grid; 6 'mines' (cones with a ball balanced on top) placed randomly; all players dribbling.

   How to run it: Players must avoid the mines by performing a chop to change direction whenever they approach one. If a player's ball hits a mine, they complete 10 toe taps and rejoin. Replace mines knocked over. Competition: most mines avoided in 3 minutes.

   • ›Look up – see the mines in advance
   • ›Early chop – don't wait until the last second
   • ›Quick reaction equals more time to see the next obstacle

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 4v4 Chop Zones

   17m

   Set up: 32×22 yd pitch; two 5-yd wide 'chop zones' painted in front of each goal; small goals.

   How to run it: To score, the shooter must enter the chop zone and perform a chop before shooting. Normal defending. A goal without a chop in the zone doesn't count.

   • ›Attack the zone with purpose – don't creep in
   • ›Use the chop to create a shooting angle
   • ›Defenders: tight in the chop zone, don't give space

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Hamstring and calf stretches. Ask: 'The chop vs the inside cut – same or different?' Guide toward: the chop is more aggressive, sharper, used at higher speed.

   • ›The chop is a weapon, not just a touch
   • ›Reinforce: quality over panic

Outcomes

• ✓Players can chop away from a closing defender
• ✓Players can use a chop to create a shot on goal
• ✓Players can identify when a chop is preferable to a scissors or drag-back
• ✓Players combine the chop with a follow-up action (shoot or pass)

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 4 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free-roam.

   How to run it: Players dribble and combine any previously learned move with a chop. E.g., scissors → chop. Step-over → chop. Players choose their own combo. Coach circulates and asks individual players what combo they chose.

   • ›Make the combo flow – no hesitation between moves
   • ›Be creative – there's no wrong answer

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Pairs; 15-yd approach; small cone goal at far end.

   How to run it: Player A dribbles at pace; Player B closes from the goal. A must chop away from B and shoot. B cannot tackle. Switch roles every 3 reps. Increase B's closing speed each round.

   • ›Keep the ball at your pace – don't let it run ahead
   • ›Chop early – while you still have momentum

3. 3. Technical Practice – 1v1 Attack & Shoot

   15m

   Set up: 20-yd approach to a full-size (or 4-yd) goal; defender starts 3 yds off the goal line. Attacker starts at halfway.

   How to run it: Attacker dribbles toward goal; defender comes to meet them. Attacker must use a chop to beat the defender and shoot. Three rounds each then rotate. Ask: 'Where did the chop send the ball relative to the defender's body?'

   • ›Chop away from the defender's leading foot
   • ›Get your shot off quickly – don't take an extra touch
   • ›Celebrate goals that result from the chop technique
   • ›Defenders: stay on your feet until the last moment

4. 4. Skill Game – 2v2 Fast Break

   15m

   Set up: Half-pitch (25×35 yd); one goal; two defenders start on goal line; two attackers start at halfway with ball.

   How to run it: Attackers must score before defenders recover. Ball carrier is expected to use a chop to beat at least one defender. Play 5 rounds per group, then rotate roles. Count successful chop moves.

   • ›Speed of approach creates natural chop opportunities
   • ›Second attacker: run off the ball to stretch the defence
   • ›Don't slow down looking for the chop – let it happen at pace

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 5v5 Free Play

   17m

   Set up: 35×25 yd pitch; goals; free play 5v5.

   How to run it: Free 5v5. Coach observes. After 8 minutes, introduce a 10-second rule: if a player holds the ball for more than 10 seconds without dribbling or passing, the other team gets a free kick from that spot.

   • ›The 10-second rule forces action and dribbling
   • ›Be positive with players taking risks
   • ›Observe whether the chop appears naturally in the game

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Full-body stretches. Coach asks players to describe the move library so far (4 moves). Create a mini 'menu' on a whiteboard together. Preview Week 6: combining moves.

   • ›Having a menu of moves makes you unpredictable
   • ›Great dribblers use all their tools