Performance Academy Mission Hub
WEEK 1: MASTER THE BALL
🏠 HOME MISSION — CONTROL WITH PURPOSE
Spend 10 minutes working with the ball. Practice:
- Inside/outside touches
- Sole rolls
- Pull-pushes
- Changes of direction
- Changes of speed
Finish with 20 controlled touches using your weaker foot.
Challenge: Keep your eyes up as much as possible.
⚽ WEEKEND GAME MISSION — PLAY WITH YOUR HEAD UP
During your game, challenge yourself to look at what's around you before and while you're on the ball.
Challenge: Find at least 3 moments when you can use your control to carry the ball into available space instead of immediately releasing it.
💡 PARENT TIP — WATCH BEYOND THE BALL
Development isn't just about goals and assists. Watch how your player controls the ball, finds space, and makes decisions. A smart touch that creates the next play can be just as important as the final pass or shot.
WEEK 2 BALL CONTROL CHALLENGE
🏠 HOME MISSION — 10-MINUTE TECHNICAL CHALLENGE
Spend 10 minutes working with the ball. Include:
- Inside/outside touches
Sole rolls - Pull-pushes
Changes of speed
Finish with 20 controlled touches using your weaker foot.
Extra Challenge: Periodically look away from the ball and scan your surroundings while maintaining control.
⚽ WEEKEND GAME MISSION — SCAN BEFORE YOU RECEIVE
Before the ball reaches you: CHECK YOUR SHOULDER. Know where your teammates, opponents, and open space are.
Challenge: Make a deliberate scan before receiving the ball at least 5 times during your game.
💡 PARENT TIP — WATCH BEFORE THE BALL ARRIVES
Instead of only watching what your player does after receiving the ball, watch what happens before. Are they checking their shoulder? Looking for space? Finding teammates? Those small habits make a major difference as players develop.
WEEK 3 - FIRST TOUCH
🏠 Home Mission — Receive With Purpose
Find a partner and create a small receiving area with three cones.
Before receiving a pass, check your shoulder to identify space. Receive the ball with an open body position and direct your first touch toward your next action.
Challenge: Complete 10 purposeful first touches using both feet and different receiving angles.
⚽ Weekend Game Mission — Scan Before You Receive
During your game, challenge yourself to scan before the ball arrives. Recognize where defenders, teammates, and open space are positioned.
Scan → Receive → Decide!
Use your first touch to protect possession, escape pressure, or prepare a pass.
❤️ Parent Tip — Watch the Preparation
Effective first touch begins before the player receives the ball. This weekend, notice whether your player checks their surroundings and adjusts their body position before receiving. Try saying: “I noticed you checked your shoulder before receiving that pass!”
Recognizing preparation reinforces awareness and decision-making.
WEEK 4 - PASS WITH A PURPOSE
🏠 Home Mission — Pass, Move & Receive
Find a partner and set up three cones in a triangle, approximately 8–10 yards apart.
Pass to your partner, move to a new cone, and receive the next pass.
Focus on scanning, opening your body, and directing your first touch toward your next action.
Challenge: Complete 10 consecutive passes while continuously moving and using both feet.
⚽ Weekend Game Mission — Create the Opportunity
During your game, recognize and create purposeful passing opportunities.
Scan → Recognize pressure → Choose the pass → Move to support.
Look for opportunities to play forward, maintain possession, or change the point of attack.
Remember, sometimes carrying the ball is the better decision.
❤️ Parent Tip — Watch the Off-Ball Movement
Pay attention to what your player does when they don't have the ball.
Are they creating passing angles, supporting teammates, or moving away from pressure?
Try saying: “I noticed how you moved to give your teammate another passing option!”
Recognizing these actions reinforces soccer awareness and decision-making.
WEEK 5 - BEAT THE DEFENDER
🏠 Home Mission — Create Separation
Set up a cone representing a defender, approximately 8–10 yards away.
Approach with the ball, use a body feint, step-over, or change of direction, then accelerate past the cone.
Focus on changing speed and keeping the ball close enough to maintain possession.
Challenge: Complete 10 moves using both sides, focusing on acceleration after each move.
⚽ Weekend Game Mission — Read the Defender
During your game, recognize when you have an opportunity to attack a defender 1v1.
Consider:
- Is there space behind the defender?
- Can you create an advantage with a change of speed or direction?
- Would passing to a teammate create a better opportunity?
Scan → Commit the defender → Make your move → Accelerate!
Remember, beating a defender is about making an effective decision, not performing the fanciest move.
❤️ Parent Tip — Recognize the Decision
Successful 1v1 attacking requires awareness, timing, and confidence. This weekend, notice when your player recognizes an opportunity to attack, changes speed, or chooses to combine with a teammate instead. Try saying: “I noticed how you waited for the right moment to take on that defender!” Encourage decision-making and creativity rather than focusing only on successful dribbles.