Kindergarten Week 1 Dribbling: Moving with the ball Each player has a ball and is allowed to dribble around the grid. The coach calls out a part of the body which the player must put on the ball. Players should keep the ball close to them and have lots of little touches. Head up and look for space. Squish the ball when stopping. Encourage players to use both feet. Each player has a ball except Shrek who has to steal there ball away. Players have to dribble with ball and avoid Shrek; if they stop the ball with their foot on the ball Shrek cannot get their ball. If players allow the ball to get away from them and Shrek gets it they are now caught and must hold the ball above their head. They are released with another player putting the ball through their legs. Players should keep the ball close to them. Keep their head up and look for space Be going at a pace which allows them to stop the ball. Each player has a ball and attempts to dribble down to the giants layer and steal his gold Giant pretends to be asleep but when he wakes up the players must freeze. When frozen the giant can t see them or take their ball If players move, the giant can chase them back to their base Moving with ball using both inside and outside of feet, no toes! Put foot on ball when standing still Keep the ball close when dribbling Have head up at all times to look out for the giant waking up
Kindergarten Week 2 Passing and receiving Pair up the players and practice passing the ball across a 10 x 10 grid. Each player must be on their toes throughout the practice. The receiving player must first cushion the ball and then pass back with the inside of the foot. Progression: 1. Upon receiving a pass, the players should use the inside or outside of their foot to control the ball to one side, and then return the pass to their partner. 2. Now when passing the ball, the players should aim a few yards to the side of their partners, forcing them to first move into the line of the ball before controlling and returning the pass. Move towards each pass, do not pass from a standing position. Lock the ankle and turn the toes outward. Plant the non kicking foot alongside the ball and bend the standing knee slightly. Push through the ball and finish with your foot in the air ankle locked. Cushion the ball so that it rests in front of you, not directly at your feet. Encourage players to practice with both feet. Players now follow their pass by running around their partner and back to their starting point. Use the inside of the feet to pass Follow through with kicking foot Placement of non kicking foot next to ball, pointing where you want the ball to go Eye contact when receiving pass Wait until the ball is stopped before running around partner. Cowboys and Indians Cowboys have to run across field to the other side Indians have to hit the player running through between the knee and foot. Once hit, the cowboy becomes an Indian Players have to keep the ball down by using the inside of the foot and getting their body over the ball. Being aware of surroundings by having head up Play the ball in front of the players running through so they run onto it
Kindergarten Week 3 Shooting Players dribble around and try to knock down as many cones as they can. Preparation, contact and follow through Strike with laces Head over the ball Knee over the ball Work on moving with ball before hitting it Players are in 2 teams now with one team trying to knock the cones over and the other team trying to put them back up. Coach counts the number of cones standing up versus down to decide which team wins. Teams then switch roles. Coaching points: Strike with laces Aim shot by pointing non kicking foot where you want the ball to go Head over the ball Knee over the ball Head up looking for cones Players are split into 2 teams Several goals are laid out on the field Team with the balls has to run rounds and score as many goals as they can in 30 seconds Other team has to move around and try to stop their shots by becoming a goalkeeper (but they must keep moving round!) Head up and look for the open goal Drive towards space and open goal Have ball out from under your feet Preparation, contact and follow through Strike with laces Aim for corners
Kindergarten Week 4 Shielding: Protecting the ball Each players has a ball and is allowed to dribble around the grid The coach calls out instructions for players to get into a shielding position Coach can change the call to a certain buzz word for the children e.g. shark attack Players should keep the ball close to them Must have their body side on to the ball and with an open stance Knees bent with low centre of gravity Arm up and bent at the elbow to help balance and provide additional protection Encourage players to nudge the ball whilst in the position Each player has a ball except a designated number of defenders/ sharks Players have to dribble with the ball and avoid defenders/ sharks. If approached they must stop the ball with their feet and get into the shielding position. The defender can try and get the ball for 3 seconds before moving on to another player. Coaching points: Players should keep the ball close to them and ready to get into a shielding position. Keep their head up and be aware of where defenders are. Nudge the ball to the side to keep control and away from the defender. Players are in 2 teams with each team having a designated defender/ shark who does not have a ball Players must shield the ball when approached by a defender/ shark. Defender has 3 seconds to get the ball, if he does then the player goes to jail, if not the attacking player gets a point. Players in jail can be broke out with a tag. Moving with the ball into space. Strong shielding stance to protect. Keep the ball close when dribbling. Have head up at all times
Kindergarten Week 5 Passing and Receiving Players are with a partner and stand facing each other One ball between two, the player with the ball gently throws the ball underarm for their partner to stop then pass back. Pass should be light and to the players feet. Progress practice: player follows pass, runs around partner and back to the start. Encourage players to move to meet the ball. Encourage players to pass the ball with the inside of their feet. Non kicking foot next to ball aiming at target. Relax weight of pass and control. Face where you want the ball to go. Players are in groups of 2 One player has a ball and must dribble around after their partner and try to pass the ball and hit their feet. Use the inside of feet to pass. Relax with pass and have correct weight. Place non kicking foot next to ball. Strike through the centre of the ball Pass the ball in front of the player so they run onto it. Players are set in 2 teams. 1 team in a defined area, the other team surrounding them. Players are eliminated if hit below the waist with the ball. 1 ball is used at first with others being introduced at the coaches directions. Players have to keep the ball down using the side of the foot and getting their body over the ball. Be aware of surroundings by keeping head up.
Kindergarten Weeks 6 Shooting Players are with a partner and stand facing each other. One ball between two, the players have to shoot the ball through the gates and score. Once ball is on the other side the partner has a chance to try and score. Angle of approach, diagonal run up to ball. Preparation, contact with laces and follow through. Place non kicking foot next to ball aiming at target. Head over the ball. Knee over the ball. Work on moving with the ball before hitting. Same exercise as before only now the players have a goalkeeper to shoot past. Positions are rotated on the coaches request. Angle of approach, diagonal run up to ball. Preparation, contact with laces and follow through. Place non kicking foot next to ball aiming at target. Aim for corners! Head over the ball. Knee over the ball. Work on moving with the ball before hitting. Divide the players into two teams and give each player a number. Both teams should have matching numbers. If you have an odd number of players, designate one player to have two numbers. Set up 3 yard goals on either end of a 20yd x 25yd field. The coach will throw a ball into the middle of the field and call out a number. Those corresponding players run from half way, through the back of their own goal and will attempt to score in the opposite goal. Change the players numbers every few minutes so that the same players do not compete against each other every time. Progress to calling out more than one number and explain how passing to an open teammate can help their team win the game. Encourage players to shoot using their laces as previously worked on. Aim for corners of the goal. Shoot as soon as there is sight of goal
Kindergarten Week 7 Dribbling: Moving with the ball Each player has a ball and is allowed to dribble around the grid. The coach names each square with a fun name e.g. names of animals, lion, bear etc Upon calling the name of the animal the players have to dribble to that corner. Players should keep the ball close to them and have lots of little touches. Head up and look for space. Use inside and outside of foot. Squish the ball when stopping Same exercise as before only there is now a defender or hunter trying to catch the players/ animals. Players can only be caught when coach calls the name of the corner. Players should keep the ball close to them and have lots of little touches. Head up and look for space. Use inside and outside of foot. Squish the ball when stopping. Be going at a pace which allows them to stop. Each player has a ball and attempts to dribble past the defender and get to the other side. Defenders can be made to hop or act like crabs etc to increase fun and help players success rate. Moving with ball towards space. Use of moves e.g. stop and start to go round defenders. Keep the ball close when dribbling. Have head up at all times.
Kindergarten Week 8 Shielding: Protecting the ball Last pratice of the season! Each players has a ball and is allowed to dribble around the grid The coach calls out instructions for players to get into a shielding position Coach can change the call to a certain buzz word for the children e.g. shark attack Players should keep the ball close to them Must have their body side on to the ball and with an open stance Knees bent with low centre of gravity Arm up and bent at the elbow to help balance and provide additional protection Encourage players to nudge the ball whilst in the position The players dribble their ball around the inside of a 25yd x 25yd grid, practicing cutting the ball left and right with the inside and outside their dominant foot. When the coach shouts Go the players attempt to kick each other s balls out of the grid without losing possession of their own. Players should be allowed to renter the game for the first two minutes, and then when the coach announces that it is Knock Out time, they are eliminated if their ball is kicked out. Coaching points: Encourage the players twist and turn and change direction frequently to avoid being tackled. When they are stuck in a corner they should experiment using their body to shield the ball Players should keep the ball close to them and ready to get into a shielding position. Keep their head up and be aware of where defenders are. Nudge the ball to the side to keep control and away from the defender. Players are in 2 teams with each team having a designated defender/ shark who does not have a ball Players must shield the ball when approached by a defender/ shark. Defender has 3 seconds to get the ball, if he does then the player goes to jail, if not the attacking player gets a point. Players in jail can be broke out with a tag. Moving with the ball into space. Strong shielding stance to protect. Keep the ball close when dribbling. Have head up at all times