Football Skills week at EF Sportability Club

Last Saturday's session was dedicated to all things football with a whole range of activities to help boost skill levels and ball control. After the usual warm up led by Ray and Alan it was out with the balls, in the sun, on the playground.
The team led the kids through a series of drills to practice and improve their ball control. Starting off with moving with the ball and controlling it at close quarters, around the playground. Then it was in to a Traffic Light game where when the signal was red the kids had to stop with their ball. Yellow meant stand on the spot moving the ball from side to side using both feet. Green being for go meant move around the playground keeping the ball under control. 

Then it was out with the cones to see how good their ball control was. Firstly, working in pairs, they passed the ball to each other through a small gap created by a couple of cones. This meant accurate passing and controlling the ball when it reached you.
From there the coaches set up a slalom course so that the members could dribble the ball through the cones before shooting at a goal at one end. Callum, being the next Hugo Lloris, was in goal using his special gloves but he was also joined for a while by Umar in his wheelchair.​

After a break for refreshments it was time to put all the skills to good use in a competitive match. So the group was split in to two teams, with one team sporting the new bright yellow bibs as you can see in the photos. It proved to be a great finale to a great session.​

At the end of the session the coaches conferred over who should receive the Star of the Week award. For his enthusiasm and getting involved, not least his big smile throughout,  they awarded it to Umar. It has to be said that his ball control was exemplary in that once the ball was on his feet in his wheelchair it stuck there like glue!
Congrats to Umar - keep it up!

Join us again this coming Saturday to see what activities the team have in store for you!
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Our Star performer this week was Umar, pictured here with Kate and his carer