2 Age Group Characteristics Typically in Kindergarten Very small attention span; can attend to only one task at a time. Approval seeking from adults. Negative comments may adversely affect effort & performance. Perceive personal effort as an indicator of their performance. Exert maximum energy while on the field, thus they tire quickly. Running, skipping, hopping, & balance are not fully developed. Basically play next to, not with, teammates. Swarming around the ball is common and acceptable. U-6 may begin to understand the need for passing the ball to teammates. Ball size - #3 Primary focus should be to excite youth about soccer and to have fun! Model & reinforce sportsmanship. Introduce names of positions. Introduce aspects of the field: touchlines, mid-field, at which goal to shoot, Provide opportunities to play all positions. Accept that swarming the ball is inevitable, and don t become frustrated that players won t spread out. Skill development using small-sided activities (2v2) should center around: Trapping, passing, & shooting with the inside of the foot Toe passing Throw-ins Dribbling to space using both feet Some very basic tactics to consider are: 1v1 attach Dribble or pass? Diagrams & Information: soccerexperts.com (Soccer Expert) mayouthsoccer.org (Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association) vysa.com (Virginia Youth Soccer Association) soccerspecific.com
3 Activities Please consider incorporating some of the following activities into your practice sessions. Remember to include in your practice plan all equipment needed for the activity and to keep explanations clear & concise. You may use and adapt activities from other age groups depending upon the skill level & developmental readiness of your team. Motor Racing Set up a square with cones as shown. Players inside with a ball. Players dribble around square using all surfaces of their foot without touching other players. Players can make the sound of cars. Coach calls out low gear for slow dribbling & high gear for faster dribbling. Encourage dribbling with all sides of foot and to try and look up. Bombs Away Set up a square with cones as shown. Players inside with a ball. Pinnies (colored vests) Divide players into two teams wearing pinnies. Players dribble around with looking up occasionally. Coach calls, Bombs Away, and players try to kick opponent s ball out of square. If ball is knocked out, player must get ball and perform jumping jacks, etc. before returning to square. Encourage eyes up & keeping ball close. Shielding the ball from players. Moving to space.
4 Mr. Freeze Set up a square with cones or play from side touchline to side touchline. Players take ball and line up arms width apart along side touchline. Players are to dribble to other touchline only when coach is not looking. When the coach turns around to look at players, they must stop ball & balance on one leg. If players move while being looked at they must take 5 steps backwards. Keep eyes up to watch coach. Keep ball close. Bump The Ball Set up a square with cones or play from side touchline to side touchline. Pair players, each with a ball. One player places ball at his feet. Another holds a ball with her hands. Upon Go, players with ball at feet dribble anywhere inside square. Their partner tries to throw & hit the dribbling partner s ball. One point is scored for hitting the dribbling player s ball. Switch roles after one minute. Winner = player with most points. Eyes up to locate thrower. Shield ball.
5 Coach Says Set up a square with cones as shown. Players inside with a ball. Coach calls out different instructions that players must follow, but only if prefaced with, Coach says Sample instructions: dribble with right foot only, dribble with both feet, dribble in a circle, etc. If a player performs the instructions without the words Coach says, she must perform some action such as jumping jacks. Eyes up and listen to coach. Follow The Leader Set up a square with cones as shown. Players inside with a ball. Pair players, each with a ball. Player one begins dribbling as the leader. Her partner follows behind copying all the moves of the leader. Switch roles after a designated time period. Encourage eyes up to watch the leader. Keep the ball close. Encourage the use of different speeds, directions, & moves.
6 Monster Turns Set up a square with cones as shown. Players inside with a ball. Instruct players how to turn the ball to the outside (right & left) and pull it back with top of foot to change direction. Players dribble ball & when coach calls, Turn Right, Turn Left, or Change Direction, the player must perform that instruction. After a few minutes of practice, the coach enters square and chases players while roaring like a monster. Players should use turns & pull backs to avoid the coach. Encourage eyes up dribbling to watch for coach. Use both feet. Move into open space. Head & Foot Divide team evenly. Have them form two lines facing each other & five yards apart. One line has a ball. Line with the ball begins by practicing a throw-in to his partner. The partner gets ball, places it at his feet, & passes the ball back to the thrower. After a designated time period, switch the thrower/passer roles. Demonstrate & encourage proper throw-in technique: keep feet on ground, ball behind head, bring ball over head and release forward. Encourage proper passing technique: keep ankle locked, head still, and push ball with inside of foot. Use the hockey stick metaphor.