This packet includes: 5 training sessions & 7 pre-game warm-ups and a lot of different drills that have been presented at the NSCAA Level 2 Diploma

Thank you for volunteering to coach a team! The purpose of this packet is to assist you, the youth coach, during this season. The activities included in this packet have been put together to reflect the philosophy of best practice from several soccer organizations in the United States (USSF, NSCAA, US Youth Soccer, etc.) and are aimed at enhancing the experience of the players, coaches and parents. This packet includes: 5 training sessions & 7 pre-game warm-ups and a lot of different drills that have been presented at the NSCAA Level 2 Diploma The main focus of every training session should be that players get as many touches on the ball as possible. Training sessions should always progress from simple to complex. 1- Warm-Up (15-20 min): Every training session should begin a warm-up that emphasizes both the body and mind. At this age children don t need stretching but exercises should include movements that require general motor skills (ex: balance, coordination, flexibility). The ball should be included during the warm-up. 2- Small Sided Games (15-20 min): These games should be challenging to players and be a progression of the movements done in the warm-up. This can be fun, while enhancing the player s technical and tactical abilities. 3- Final Game Scrimmage (20+ min): Let the players play! Use this time to help players familiarize themselves with situations they may find themselves in during the match. Characteristics of players: Don t fight nature! Short attention span be short in instruction Egocentric but learning group play each player should have own ball or be in small groups. Psychologically impressionable use generous praise and put players in situations where they can succeed, especially in front of peers Go All out will run themselves until they get tired but regenerate energy quickly Limited motor skills teach, emphasize and re-emphasize technic, understanding that technical skill development will only improve as motor skill developments ORGANIZED CHAOS you don t have to be in total control, just get them moving and touching the ball Coaches should be concerned with player development, not game results. Coaches should see player improvement in the following areas: Technical Dribbling Passing & Receiving Shooting Goalkeeping Tactics Decision-making Individual and group problem solving Team systems and strategies Physical Strength Speed Agility Flexibility Conditioning Psychological Understanding of the game Respect for teammates and rules Suggested In-Game Rules: - Whenever there is a goal kick, play goal kick, have opposing team drop back to their half. Allow the other team to play out of the back. - Be more concerned with player s technical and tactical discussions than with the rules of the game (ex: don t spend a bunch of time correcting a throw-in) If you have any questions, feel free to Chris Clements mcdonaldchris11@yahoo.com Cell: 402-984-4481

Activities Session 1 (Gates) (15-20 min) Gate Dribbling Set up at least 6 gates more or less evenly around the field. The size of the gate will depend on the ability of players. Have the players dribble using different parts of both feet, one at a time (ex. laces of right foot, or inside and outside of left foot ). Parts of the foot to use: Inside Outside Laces Sole (15-20 min) Gate Passing Using previous set up, have players stand on opposite sides of the gates and pass the ball to one another. One ball per pair. Change partners ever so often. Size of gates and players distance from one another depends on player s ability. 1. Static passing 2. Passes have to be at a different gate (20+ min) Scrimmage!!! Determine number based on players at practice. Ideally 4 v. 4, with 1 goalkeeper. Have one player sitting out to watch and rotate in. This allows for recovery and observation. Coaching Points/Emphasize Each player must have their own ball. Don t be afraid to show them. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Once players get the general idea, make it competitive (ex. How many gates can you dribble through in a minute? ) Emphasize proper passing and receiving technique Proper passing technique: 1. Inside of the foot (no toes) 2. Plant foot should be next to the ball and facing passing direction Proper receiving technique 1. Inside of foot (no stepping on ball) Once players get the general idea, make it competitive (ex. How many gates can you pass through in a minute? ) Let them play! Here they can learn everything. They should have a great time. Reemphasize what they learned in training and praise them when they do it properly.

Session 2 (Math & Numbers) Activities Coaching Points/Emphasize (15-20 min) Math Dribbling Have the players dribble using different parts of both feet, one at a time (ex. laces of right foot, or inside and outside of left foot ). Each player must have their own ball. Don t be afraid to show them. Give players a basic math problem and have them solve it by dribbling into a group of that size (ex. Four minus one and players dribble into groups of three). Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Last players to get into group, or left out of group can do a funny dance or soccer move. (15-20 min) Sequence Passing Split group into at least two groups. Have each group stand in a circle. Assign each player a number so that consecutive numbers are not next to each other. Have players pass the ball in sequential order. *If groups get really good at passing, have players move, after they pass the ball, to a new spot. (20+ min) Scrimmage!!! Determine number based on players at practice. Ideally 4 v. 4, with 1 goalkeeper. Have one player sitting out to watch and rotate in. This allows for recovery and observation. Emphasize proper passing and receiving technique Proper passing technique: 1. Inside of the foot (no toes) 2. Plant foot should be next to the ball and facing passing direction Proper receiving technique 1. Inside of foot (no stepping on ball) Once the players have the general idea, make it competitive (ex. Which group can get through the pattern twice, first? ) Let them play! Here they can learn everything. They should have a great time. Reemphasize what they learned in training and praise them when they do it properly.

Session 3 (Cones) Activities (15-20 min) Cone Dribbling In half of a field, set up cones spread out randomly throughout space. Have players dribble at a cone and do a move to dribble around the cones. Coach assigns which move players do. Moves : Dribble in circle around cone (inside and outside of foot) Push ball with outside of foot Push ball with inside of foot Use sole of foot to pull ball back and dribble opposite way Coaching Points/Emphasize Each player must have their own ball. Don t be afraid to show them. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Once players get the general idea, make it competitive (ex. How many cones can you dribble in a minute? ). (15-20 min) Cone Passing Using previous set up, have players stand on opposite sides of a cone and pass the ball to one another, trying to hit the cone. One ball per pair. Change partners ever so often. Players distance from one another depends on player s ability. 1. Static passing 2. Move to a different cone each time (20+ min) Scrimmage!!! Determine number based on players at practice. Ideally 4 v. 4, with 1 goalkeeper. Have one player sitting out to watch and rotate in. This allows for recovery and observation. Emphasize proper passing and receiving technique Proper passing technique: 1. Inside of the foot (no toes) 2. Plant foot should be next to the ball and facing passing direction Proper receiving technique 1. Inside of foot (no stepping on ball) Once players get the general idea, make it competitive (ex. How many cones can you hit in a minute? ) Let them play! Here they can learn everything. They should have a great time. Reemphasize what they learned in training and praise them when they do it properly.

Session 4 (Obstacles & Relay) Activities Coaching Points/Emphasize (15-20 min) Obstacle Course Each player must have their own ball. In a half of a field, set up cones in distinguishably different ways (ex. different colors, different types, different number of cones side by side, etc.). At each one of these stations players will be required to do a different activity. Stations: 1. Dribble in a circle around cone 2. Dribble through a set of cones 3. Chip the ball over a set of cones Don t be afraid to show them. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Once players get the general idea, make it competitive (ex. How many stations can you get through in a minute? ). (15-20 min) Team Relay Race Split team up into two or more teams, depending on number of cones available to you. Set up a course so players are required to dribble through a set of cones and are asked to pass ball to teammate. Switch teams after every couple rounds to try and even out the teams. Don t be afraid to show them. Encourage players to use both feet and proper part of foot while dribbling through set of cones. Encourage proper passing and receiving technique. Have players who have already ran the course to sit down when they are done. (20+ min) Scrimmage!!! Determine number based on players at practice. Ideally 4 v. 4, with 1 goalkeeper. Have one player sitting out to watch and rotate in. This allows for recovery and observation. Let them play! Here they can learn everything. They should have a great time. Reemphasize what they learned in training and praise them when they do it properly.

Dribbling Games Activities (5-10 min) Warm-up Place blue and yellow cones on the ground. Each Player will stand at a cone. Commands: Go : try to touch as many cones as possible. Stop : players must return to the cone they were initially at. 1. Hop over the cones, instead of touching them with foot. 2. Touch the cone with hand. (5-10 min) Provide a square box. Divide the group into two teams, each Orange is partnered with a Blue. The first group, Orange will be the leaders. They will dribble the ball, while the second group, Blue will be the followers. Blue has to follow what their partner does. Then, vice versa. 1. Instruct kids to dribble with a certain foot. 2. Change direction by cutting with the inside of the foot. 3. The second group, Blue will get rid of the ball. Commands: Freeze : stop and open their legs to make a goal. Orange is to shoot the ball through Blue s legs. If it goes through, it s a goal. Then, vice versa. Coaching Points/Emphasize Make sure players are not running into each other. Keep head up. Attentiveness. Each player has a ball. Make sure followers are keeping their head up to see what their partner is doing. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Define the space, to keep them on track.

(5-10 min) Provide a square box. Divide the team in half, one group will have a ball and the other group doesn t. The group that doesn t have balls will put on bibs. While staying in the box, the bibs group will try to steal the ball away from the players that have one. Once they steal the ball, they will try to put the ball in the net, as the other player is fighting for their ball back. Once the ball is in the net, the player that lost the ball will put on a bib. They join the bibs team and are now trying to steal the ball away from the other players. Keep their heads up. Encourage communication the bibs group can work together to win all the balls. Keep the ball close to body, easier to defend the ball. The last player with a ball wins. Then, rotate the groups. (10-15 min) Provide a square box. Divide the group into two teams. The Coach will play the ball out in the center of the box, both players will try to win the ball. Whoever wins the ball will try to score in either of the two goals. Encourage tough physical play. Keep their heads up, look to see the nets. Make sure players are using proper technique for dribbling. The player who touches the ball last before it goes in the net, gets the point. Once the ball goes in the net or out of bounds, the game is over and the players return to the Coach to play again.

(10-15 min) Provide a square box. Divide the group into two teams. One team on one side of the box, the other team on the opposite side. The Coach will play the ball out in the center of the box. The team on the opposite side of the Coach will be the attackers, they can score in either goal. The other team, on the Coach s side of the box, will be the defenders. They are defending the attackers from scoring in either or of the goals. Encourage tough physical play. Keep their heads up, look to see the nets and where the defender is. Make sure the players are using proper technique for dribbling. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. If the defenders win the ball, they will try to score too. Players can t score on their first touch. Once the ball goes in the net or out of bounds, the game is over and the players return to the Coach to play again. 1. Put two gates in front of the goals. Players will have to dribble through the gates before they score. 2. Instead of 1v1, it ll be 2v2. Before scoring, the players have to either dribble the ball through the gate or they have to pass the ball to their teammate through the gate.

(10-15 min) Provide a square box. Divide the group into two teams, each player will partner up with a player from the opposing team. One group stands off to the side, while the other group will participate in the drill. The first group will dribble through the gates. While their partners are counting how many gates they go through. Each gate is a point. Dribble through as many gates as they can in 30 seconds. Then, rotate groups. 1. Dribble through the gate, stop the ball, and come back through the other way. 2. Score through the gates, using the outside of the foot. 3. Both partners will be participating. Ball is placed between the two, a player on each side of the ball. While facing your partner, the Coach will instruct the players to touch a part of their body. When the Coach yells ball, both players will try to win the ball and score through the gates. (10-15 min) Provide a square box. Divide the group into two teams, each player will go against a player from the opposing team. The Coach will play the ball out. The two players have to battle for the ball in the grid. Whoever wins the ball will try to score in either of the nets. While the other player will defend the ball. The player who touches the ball last, before it goes in the net, gets the point. Encourage tough physical play. Keep head up. Attentive listening to the Coach s instructions. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Encourage tough physical play. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make it competitive. (ex. First team to score a number of goals, wins the game. ) Once the ball goes in the net or out of bounds, the game is over and the players return to the Coach to play again.

(10-15 min) Create a small 1v1 field with four goals facing outward inside the grid (shown in diagram). Split the group into two even teams and assign a number to each player in each group. For instance, if you have 4 players, number off 1-4 in each group. One group should wear alternate jerseys. Encourage tough physical play. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. (1 st progression) Keep head up. The Coach will play a ball into the area and call out a number. Players must run onto the field and play a 1v1. The game should continue until a goal is scored or the ball goes out of bounds. 1. Have more than 1v1 going at the same time. 2. Call out two or more numbers to create a 2v2 or 3v3. 3. Each player will have a ball. Dribble the ball, avoid the cones. 4. Go around the cones, then dribble to a new cone. 5. Alternate which color cones they go around. 6. Still going around the cones, players will avoid the cones and the Coach from touching their ball. (10-15 min) Split the group into two even teams. Make a small rectangular grid made up of cones. Each grid will be 2v2. Objective: try to get the ball to the opposing team s line. The players have to dribble and stop the ball on the line for it to count as a point. Encourage players to use teammates for support. Keep head up. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Encourage tough physical play. Make it competitive. (Ex. First team to get an amount of points wins the game. )

(5-10 min) Provide a large square grid, with a smaller square grid in the center. Split the players evenly and have them stand on the outside cones of the grid. Relay race. When the Coach commands Go, one at a time, the players will run around the cone nearest to them in the center square grid. When the player returns to their starting cone, tag the next player in line. After every player has gone, the team will sit down to signal that they are done. 1. Add a ball. Players will dribble and go around the cone, then dribble back to their line, touching the ball off to their teammate. 2. Players will dribble around the first cone, then go to another cone (the cone that s directly in front of them once they turn). After the second cone, they will dribble back to their line and touch the ball off to their teammate. (15-20 min) Scrimmage Divide the group into two teams, each team has 3 players. Teams will have one goal to defend and one to attack. By passing and dribbling the ball, players must try to score in the nets. Incorporate game rules, such as corner kicks, out of bounds, and fouls. 1. When one team scores, the player who scores for the team will run over to the other grid, going from 3v3 to 4v3. Keep head up. Make sure there is an even number. If there is not an even number, then a player in the odd number group will go twice. Encourage players to use the inside of their foot when turning around the cone. Encourage players to take small touches when they get near the cone, to keep the ball close to them. Encourage players to take shots Encourage players to use teammates for support. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Encourage tough physical play.

Ball Retention Games Activities Real Madrid Style I (5-7 years) In a 10x10 yard area, there will be 6 players and 1 ball. Practice starts with: 4 players positioned on the outside of the box (one on each side). 2 D s in the middle. Objective: complete a pass across two sides, trying to split the Defenders when possible. Players in the middle attempt to prevent this and/or intercept. All passes are to be played along the ground. 1. Players on the outside have a partner to whom receiving players tries to immediately make a set-up pass to deliver a quick cross-field pass. 2. Introduce a support player inside grid who receives passes from outside & returns, before a cross field pass is made (encourage half pass). 3. Give the supporting player the option to turn and pass if the opportunity arises. 4. Change size of practice area frequently. Coaching Points/Emphasize Look for passing angles and spaces to pass through. Weight and type of pass to select to be successful. Disguise passes and feints to pass to unbalance D s. Details: Add scoring system for successful passes, (one point for a side wards pass, two points for a split pass). Rotate players after 2 minutes to keep players in middle relatively fresh. Players need to development appreciation of spaces and opportunities to pass, which are constantly changing.

Santos FC Style (8-11 years) In a 20x20 yard area, split into 4 separate zones as shown in the diagram. 6 Attackers and 1 Defender. A s need to have at least 1 player in each of the 4 zones, while the practice is going on (players can rotate). A s need to achieve 3 passes in a zone before looking to play into any of the other 3 zones. A s win the game by getting the ball through all 4 zones without the D winning the ball. Third person to lose the ball becomes the D. 1. Add conditions for each zone (e.g. one touch, ball has to be played to another zone by volley, etc.) 2. Add extra Defender, 1 D pressing and the other floats around the spare 3 zones anticipating where the A s are next going to play. A s awareness of position of D, create space & making supporting runs to receive pass from A in possession. A s combining & working as a small group to deceive & elude D. Receiving A getting into line of the ball & receiving with good 1 st touch, using appropriate controlling surface. Early scanning of opportunities to switch ball into another zone. Movement of the ball to create as many options as possible for the player on the ball. Details: A s can also win the game if they successfully play a wall pass (one/two) around the D. Add extra D s to challenge the whole group; numbers can be adjusted on age/ability. Practice operates at high tempo for limited time, determined by coach. Practice can be used for attacking or defending purposes.

Ball Retention (8-11 years) Area 20x20 yards, as illustrated in the diagram. 4 Attackers, 4 Defenders, and 4 Servers, each S has a ball each. A s challenge is to play as many wall passes with the S s on the outside as they can. D s try to disrupt their partners wall pass by getting a touch on the ball. Swap roles every minute. 1. Play 4v4 in central area, rest of the players play as S s on the outside. 2. The team who has possession of the ball after 2 minutes, wins. 3. Keep rotating players and adding different conditions to the practice. A s awareness of position of D, create space to receive pass from S s on the ball. Speed and agility to lose the D. Receiving A getting into line of the ball & receiving with good 1 st touch, using appropriate controlling surface. Early scanning of opportunities to play quick pass back out of the central area. Details: Change service from the S s (e.g. throw balls for different control surface). A s receive pass from S s and play to a different S on the outside to gain a point. D s can take away their partners points by intercepting the ball and playing out to any S.

Villarreal Style (8-11 years) In a 20x20 yard area, split into 4 separate zones as shown in the diagram. 2 Attackers, 2 Defenders, and 4 Servers with a ball each. Objective: attackers free roam around the 4 zones looking to receive passes from the servers. Attackers gain a point by receiving a pass in a zone without a defender. Defenders try to get into the zone before an attacker receives a pass (no tackling). 1. 2v2 possession game, the tem in possession of the ball can use moving Servers along the outside. 2. Teams score by playing a successful pass from one zone to another without the ball being intercepted. Awareness of defenders, create space to receive pass from server. Good 1 st touch, using appropriate controlling surface when receiving a pass. Early scanning of opportunities to switch ball into another zone or moving server. Combining and working as a small group to deceive & elude defending team. Details: Take 2 balls away from the practice. Attacker can gain 2 points if they receive a pass and successfully play out to a different Server. Defenders gain a point for every pass they intercept (no tackling). Add light tackling to make the practice more game realistic.

Real Madrid Style II (12-16 years) Size of the small pitch can be adjusted on the age/size of the group. 14 players: 6 Attackers, 6 Defenders, and 2 GK s. Attacker s objective: 10 passes for 1 point. Defender s objective: win the ball, look to score in any of the two goals as quick as possible. GK s play with attackers to help keep possession of the ball. Team with the most points after 8 minutes wins. (Change roles). 1. Condition teams (e.g. Defenders have to score within 3 passes when they win the ball, nominated Attackers can only have 1 touch). Combination & individual moves to keep possession of the ball. Composure in tight-markers situations & awareness of need for patient build up play. Use of disguise & faking to use teammate to score. Seeking opportunities & selecting appropriate methods to short & long passing. Reacting to lose of possession to defend or attack quickly. Counter attacking when the defenders win possession, where &how can we score quickly? Offensive & defensive transition. Details: Defenders are looking to punish the attackers when they lose concentration, by counter attacking BRFCBquickly and scoring. Attackers need to be patient, and recognize the right time/way to switch the ball. Encourage changing positions to try drag Defenders into unfamiliar areas of the pitch. Coach can change numbers in practice to give a team more success (Attackers or Defenders).

FC Barcelona Style (12-16 years) Area of 10x10 yards and 2x2 yard square in the middle, as illustrated. 7 players: 5 Attackers, 2 Defenders, and 1 ball. Practice starts with: 4 A s positioned on the outside of the box and 1 A inside the middle square, 2 D s free roaming the big square. Objective: A s are looking to keep possession of the ball from the D s who aren t allowed to venture out of the square. D s attempt to prevent this by intercepting passes. All passes are to be played along the ground. 1. Each Attacker is given a condition (e.g. touch limits, wall passes, or has to do a trick). 2. Central Attacker doesn t have to use the central square to receive a pass, but still can use it as a safe zone. Look for passing angles and spaces to pass through. Weight and type of pass to select to be successful. Disguise passes and feints to pass to unbalance D s. Good 1 st touch, using appropriate controlling surface when receiving a pass. Early scanning of opportunities to switch ball to another side. Details: Add scoring system: one point for keeping possession for 20 seconds, 2 points for a pass into the central player, and 3 points for a split pass between the D s. Attacker who plays ball into central player takes their place to encourage fluent movement. Players need to develop appreciation of spaces and opportunities to pass, which are constantly changing. Rotate D s every 2 minutes.

Chelsea FC Style (12-16 years) Area size for each section is 10x20 yards; size can be adjusted to age/ability/or number of group. Practice starts: by Server playing to an attacker into section one, Attackers need to achieve a minimum of 5 passes before playing into section two. Section two needs a minimum of 4 passes before playing into section three. For A s to gain a point, A s in section 3 need to achieve a minimum of 3 passes and dribble across the end line. 1. Add a goal for the Attackers in section three to score in. 2. If Defenders dribble ball out, then the attackers score is back to zero. 3. 2 Defenders in each section, attackers can move in any section to create bigger overloads, Server still plays ball into section one when balls are played into section two. Be patient and recognize the right time to play forward. Look for passing angles and spaces to pass through. Combining & working as a small group to deceive & elude defending team. Details: Encourages possession with progression. Once A s in section one pass to section two, the Server delivers next ball to speed up the practice. Can only have 1 ball in each section. Change number of overloads to make the practice easier or harder.

Chelsea FC Style (17+ years) Half a pitch, divided into sections. 18 players (including GK): 6v4 in section one, and 4v3 in section two of the pitch. Practice starts by: Coach rolling ball into Attacking team in section one. A s have to achieve a minimum of 8 passes before looking to play forward. When the ball is played into section two, the Coach rolls the next ball into play. A s in section one can t be played forward until the ball is dead in section two. (Be patient with the ball). 1. Attackers from section one can join into section two, this will keep the game unpredictable with different overloads. 2. Before each game, let each team come up with their own formation in each section. (More ownership for the players). Maintaining composure in possession, whilst waiting for the right time to play forward. Passing & supporting play in midfield, looking for the opportunity to create an attack. Angles & distance of support from forward players. Forwarding securing possession & holding up play giving time for a midfielder to join in the attack. Combination moves from the forwards to create goal scoring opportunities. Details: Each game has 15 attacks, team with most points after 15 balls, wins. Attackers receive a point for every goal they score. Defenders can score by playing a successful pass into the yellow endzones. (As shown in the diagram). If D s can t achieve the pass into the yellow end-zone, then they can knock the ball out off play to end that ball.

Arsenal FC Style (17+ years) Area size, half a pitch. 12 players, divided into four different teams. Three teams inside the square, and one team on the outside acting as supporting players. Two of the teams work together in the square to keep possession, while the other team defends. Objective: two teams working together look to achieve a minimum of 5 passes before looking to dribble into the 18yd box. If the teams in possession get into the 18yd box, the ball is transferred back, and the practice continues. 1. Add GK to practice. Once the team achieves 5 passes, they look to advance and score. Practice restarts from half way line. 2. Defending team can chase into the 18yd box. Manchester United Style (17+ years) Set up area as illustrated in the diagram above. Each square is 10x10yds, and the middle square is 3x3yds. 15 players, divided into 3 teams of 5 players. Blues, Reds, and Greens. 5 Blues in one square, Reds spread out between the other 3 squares and Greens in the central square acting as defenders. Practice starts by: Coach rolling ball into the Blues, 1 Green player runs into square and tries knocking the ball out of the square. Blues have to achieve a minimum of 8 passes before looking to execute a pass to one of the Reds in another square. All the Reds need to get to the square and support the player on the ball. Blues spread out around the 3 squares, practice continues until ball is dead. 1. 1 Green presses in the square and the 2 nd Green can stand in-between the two squares to try to intercept the pass across. 2. Change the shape of any of the squares (e.g. triangles, circles). Maintaining composure in possession, whilst waiting for the right time to play forward. Passing & support play in midfield, looking for the opportunity to create an attack. When do you play safe and when do you play risky. Details: The two teams in possession can also use the supporting players on the outside. If they decide to use them, their pass ratio drops back to zero, but they still regain possession. The team who losses the ball becomes the defending team. (Also swamp with team on outside to change roles). Patience & selection of the correct time to move the ball to another section with quality & precision. Spreading & changing the direction of the play, use of longer passes to relieve pressure. Supporting angles away from the ball. Understand the right time to change the tempo of the game (slow & fast). Details: Every time the ball is successfully exchanged between the squares, the two teams keeping possession receive 1 point. Greens gain 1 point by knocking the ball out. First team to 15 points wins (swap team roles).

Goalkeepers Drills Activities (15-20 min) Basic Handling & Motor Skills Begin all exercises static and then add a slight jog or shuffle in as players get better with each catch. Coaching Points/Emphasize Proper technique for contour catch: 1. Athletic stance 2. Catch with fingers, not palm 3. Wrist should be forward, not backward Bounce ball and contour catch it before ball goes over shoulder. Toss ball in the air and contour catch it, with arms fully extended. Jump off one foot to bounce ball. Jump off one foot, with knee up, to catch balls over head. Jump off one foot to bounce ball and off the other foot to catch it. (15-20 min) Rolling Game Have players stand opposite each other in pairs. Players roll ball to each other and roll catch the ball. Have players bounce ball no higher than the stomach. Make it a game, progressions: 1. Have them try to role the ball in between each other s legs. 2. Have them try to score a goal by rolling ball in. 3. Allow them to try and score by bouncing ball in. Proper technique for roll and three-sound catches: 1. Allow ball to roll up into arm and secure with hands, forearm and chest. 2. Legs bent and in athletic stance 3. Keep body over the ball (20+ min) Hand Ball Scrimmage!!! Determine number based on players at practice. Ideally 4 v. 4, with 1 goalkeeper. Everyone plays. Team tries to pass the ball in the air with their hands to try and throw ball into goal. Turnover, if team with the ball drops ball or has ball stolen by other team. Let them play! Here they can learn everything. They should have a great time. Reemphasize what they learned in training and praise them when they do it properly.

Pre-Game Warm-Ups Ideas Activities Coaching Points/Emphasize (10-15 min) Shadow Dribbling Each player must have their own ball. Inside of a half, group players in pairs. One ball per pair. Player with the ball follows the player without the ball and attempts to stay with partner s shadow. At the end of one minute have partner s switch role. After each player has gone, switch partners. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. (10-15 min) Everyone s IT In open space, each player dribbles attempting to tag anyone while keeping possession of the ball. Each time you tag someone, you get a point. Each player must have their own ball. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make it competitive (ex. First player to tag everyone and the coach wins. First player to tag 10 people wins. ) (10-15 min) Doctor Tag Select one person to be IT. Everyone needs a ball except whoever is IT. Alternate who is IT every couple of minutes. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. In a half (or smaller space depending on size), have players dribble around avoiding whoever is IT. If tagged, player must freeze with their ball and call for a doctor to come heal them by touching them in the shoulder, then they can go back to dribbling.

Pre-Game Warm-Ups Ideas Activities (10-15 min) Nutmeg Tag Select one person to be IT. Everyone needs a ball except whoever is IT. Alternate who is IT every couple of minutes. In a half (or smaller space depending on size), have players dribble around avoiding whoever is IT. If tagged player must freeze with their legs open and hold ball above head. They are unfrozen when a teammate passes the ball in between their leg. Coaching Points/Emphasize Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. (10-15 min) Red Light, Green Light Have players line up on opposite side of the field. Players react to coach s command. Commands: Red Light: Stop (if players move on red they must go back to the line) Green Light: Dribble Player to reach coach first wins! (10-15 min) Math Dribble Have the players dribble using different parts of both feet, one at a time (ex. laces of right foot, or inside and outside of left foot ). Give players a basic math problem and have them solve it by dribbling into a group of that size (ex. Four minus one and players dribble into groups of three). Last players to get into group, or left out of group can do a funny dance or soccer move (ex. toe-touches, foundations, etc.) (10-15 min) Cone Dribbling In half of a field, set up cones spread out randomly throughout space. Have players dribble at a cone and do a move to dribble around the cones. Coach assigns which move players do. Moves : Dribble in circle around cone (inside and outside of foot) Push ball with outside of foot Push ball with inside of foot Use sole of foot to pull ball back and dribble opposite way Each player must have their own ball. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Each player must have their own ball. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other. Each player must have their own ball. Keep the ball close to body and no using toes. Make sure players are not running into each other.