U-6 Soccer Lesson CHARACTERISTICS OF U - 6 PLAYERS

U-6 Soccer Lesson CHARACTERISTICS OF U - 6 PLAYERS Short attention span. Can attend to only one problem at a time. May understand simple rules that are explained briefly and demonstrated. May or may not understand or remember: what lines mean on the field; what team they are on; what goal they are going for. We need to be patient and laugh with them as they get 'lost' on the field. Easily bruised psychologically. Shout praise often. Give "hints", don't criticize. Need generous praise and to play without pressure. No extrinsic rewards (trophies, medals, etc.) should be given for winning. Prefer "parallel play" (Will play on a team, but will not really engage with their teammates. Thus, a 3 against 3 game is, in reality, a 1 against 5 game because they all want the ball at the same time. Very individually oriented (me, mine, my). Constantly in motion, but, with no sense of pace. They will chase something until they drop. They are easily fatigued but recover rapidly. Development for boys and girls are quite similar. Physical coordination limited. Eye - hand and eye - foot coordination is not developed. Need to explore qualities of a rolling ball. Love to run, jump, roll, hop, etc. Prefer large, soft balls. Catching or throwing skills not developed. Can balance on their "good" foot.

INVOLVING THE PARENTS It is imperative that coaches get the parents involved. Not only are they are a major resource for your team, but the U-6 player still views their parents as the most significant people in their lives. A pre-season meeting should be held with the parents so that objectives and team policies can be addressed. Some topics that you may want to address at this meeting are: Choosing a team administrator-someone to handle all of the details. Discuss the laws of the game. Carpool needs. Training and game schedules. How you feel about starting and ending on time, what your attendance expectations are, what you think is a good excuse to miss training. What each player should bring to training: inflated ball, filled water bottle, soccer attire, shin guards (Cleats are not mandatory.) Most importantly, your philosophy about coaching U-6 players. Let them know that everyone plays; that the game does not look like the older player's games; that you are there to ensure that their player is safe and has a good time, as well as learn about soccer. What your expectations for them is during game time. How do you want them to cheer? Do they know that they should not coach from the sidelines? Above all, try to enjoy yourself. If you do they probably will too. THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT As coaches of these younger players there are things that we know that we can expect during training and games. If we know what to expect, we will be more effective in dealing with the hundreds of situations that come up. This will help us relax, and, in turn, allow us to enjoy the unpredictable nature of working with these children even more. Here are some of the things that we can expect. Most players cry immediately when something is hurt. Some cry even when something is not hurt. No matter how loud we shout, or how much we "practice" it, they can t or will not pass the ball. Somebody will come off the field in need of a toilet. Somebody will stay on the field in need of a toilet. Twenty seconds after the start of a game, every player will be within 5 yards of the ball.

Several players will slap at the ball with their hands, or pick it up. Several parents will yell at them not to do that. A model rocket that is launched from a nearby field will get 99% of the player's attention. During a season, you will end up tying at least 40-50 shoe laces. During a season, you will end up tying at least 40-50 shoe laces. They will do something that is absolutely hysterical. Make sure that you laugh! COACHING RATIONAL It is important to understand at the outset that players coming to any sport prior to the age of 6 years old, in general, do not do so by their own choice. As a result, their coaches need to give them something about which to get excited. Further, at this age, learning to play soccer is secondary to most other things in their lives. With the above assumptions, let s look at some things that we can do to energize the U-6 players, and, hopefully, get them to the point where they will enthusiastically initiate the sign up for next year! Each session should be geared around touching the ball as many times as possible. Involve the ball in as many activities as possible. Basic movements such as running, skipping, hopping, etc. need to be emphasized. If these can be done while kicking, catching, rolling, or dribbling a ball... all the better! Training should not last for more than one hour. This is primarily due to physical fatigue and attention span considerations. Train once or twice a week. Any more than this may lead to their and your burnout. Have as many different kinds of activities ready as you can get into one hour. Emphasis needs to be placed on what is FUN! Every player should bring his or her own size #3 or #4 ball. Remember, although they may have very similar in birthdates, their physical and / or mental maturity may vary as much as 36 months. Activities need to accommodate these individual differences whenever possible. Team play and passing is an alien concept to these players. They know that if they pass the ball, they may never get it back. In fact, they often will steal it from their own teammates. Do not get uptight if they do not pass, let them dribble to their heart's content. Plan for at least 4, 90 second drink breaks, especially in warmer weather. Their "cooling system" is not as efficient as in older players.

TYPICAL TRAINING SESSION Here are some items that should be included in a U-6 training session: WARM-UP: A brief warm-up is appropriate in order to get the players thinking about soccer and to prepare them physically for the time ahead. This should involve individual body activities that may or may not involve the ball. They can chase their ball as it is thrown by the coach, bringing it back with different parts of their body. Or, they can chase someone with their ball at their feet. Static stretching is also appropriate at this time, again, hopefully done with the ball. "Soccernastics" activities are very appropriate, like: rolling the ball with the bottom of their feet, with their elbows, backwards, with the back of their neck while holding on to it; throwing it up and catching it; keeping it up with their feet while sitting. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES: Follow the warm-up with some kind of individual activity, not a real 1 v.1 game, but some kind of activity where players act as individuals in a game environment. An example would be a kind of tag game, or "Red Light - Green Light", or a game where players are trying to knock their ball through gates. Keep players in motion at all times. Avoid having them wait on lines. Play games of "inclusion" instead of games where the "looser sits". PLAY THE GAME: Move on to the real game, but, make sure it is a 2 v. 2, 3 v. 3, or 4 v. 4 game. Switch the game every 5 minutes or so. Be creative. Play with 4 goals, or 2 balls. Play with or without boundaries. Use cones if you don't have real goals. Keep players involved. Have more than one game going on at a time if necessary. It is important that every player has a chance to shoot on goal as often as possible. WARM-DOWN & HOMEWORK: Finish the session with a warm down. Give them some more stretches to do with the ball. You may want to review what you started the session with. Also, give them some homework so that they practice on their own. Think of some ball trick that you would like to see them try to do, like, bounce it off their thigh and then catch it. It is important to finish on time. This is especially essential if the players are really into it. Stop at this point and you will get an enthusiastic return.

WARM-UP: PARTS OF THE BODY GAME Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Have the parents form a large circle (or island ). Go! run around the island holding the ball in your hands. Make sure to keep your head up and avoid bumping into anyone. Don t fall off into the water! Listen! When your coach calls out a part of the body (e.g., foot, hand, elbow, knee, etc.), place the ball on the ground and put that part of your body on the ball as fast as you can. Pick up the ball and keep running. Parents line the boundaries and pretend to be sharks. Move around the island carrying the ball while doing the bunny hop. Hop on one foot. Crawl like a bear and roar. Do the crabwalk. Dribble! use your feet to move the ball around the island.

Teach your players how to master the ball with good dribbling basics" What is the best way to begin teaching dribbling basics? The kids should be introduced to the following skills. Inside of the foot - foundation touches. Outside of the foot - changing direction and tight spaces. Laces - dribbling into space at speed. Sole of the foot - changes of direction and tight spaces. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Using the inside of the foot Using the inside of the foot, tap the ball back and forth. Keep the ankle locked and toe slightly up. The knees should be bent. Arms out for balance. Coaching point: Practice in place, then have the kids practice on the move. Foundation touches promote a good base to help soccer players develop good soccer dribbling habits. This base also helps the players when learning to dribble the soccer ball in tight spaces or learning more complicated soccer moves. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Using the outside of the foot Players use the... Use the outside of the foot for changing direction or turning to keep control of the ball in tight spaces. The outside of the foot technique is toe up slightly and ankle locked. The player touches the side of the ball with the outside of the foot. Exercise: Have the players dribble in a figure eight using the outside of the right and left foot to increase dribbling basics. This is a great way to teach soccer turns to players once they have mastered the basics.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 RELAY FUN! (Focus on Dribbling Basics) Up to 12 players, lined up in 3 equal groups, with one ball per group. Number the players from 1 to 4. Player 1 holds the ball in his/her hands. Over under! Player 1 leans back and passes the ball overhead to Player 2, who bends and passes the ball between the legs to Player 3, who passes the ball overhead to Player 4. Player 4 drops the ball and dribbles to the front of the line, and the over under starts again. Twist to the side! with feet pointing forward, Player 1 rotates the upper body to pass the ball behind to Player 2, who rotates the upper body in the opposite direction to pass to Player 3, etc. Player 4 drops the ball and dribbles to the front of the line, and twist to the side starts again. Roll! Player 1 rolls the ball back between all the players legs to Player 4, who dribbles it to the front of the line and the roll starts again.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 SURVIVOR (Focus on Dribbling Basics) IMAGINE YOU RE ON AN ISLAND, SURROUNDED BY WATER. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the island, but don t let the ball go in the water! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Dribble around as many palm trees (cones) as you can (in 30 seconds). Knock over as many palm trees as you can with the ball (in 30 seconds). Trade! Trade balls with another player. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction. Dive! pick up your ball and jump in the water. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: PARTS OF THE BODY GAME Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Have the parents form a large circle (or island ). Go! run around the island holding the ball in your hands. Make sure to keep your head up and avoid bumping into anyone. Don t fall off into the water! Listen! when your coach calls out a part of the body (e.g., foot, hand, elbow, knee, etc.), place the ball on the ground and put that part of your body on the ball as fast as you can. Pick up the ball and keep running. Parents line the boundaries and pretend to be sharks. Move around the island carrying the ball while doing the bunny hop. Hop on one foot. Crawl like a bear and roar. Do the crabwalk. Dribble! use your feet to move the ball around the island.

Teach your players how to master the ball with good dribbling basics" What is the best way to begin teaching dribbling basics? The kids should be introduced to the following skills. Inside of the foot - foundation touches. Outside of the foot - changing direction and tight spaces. Laces - dribbling into space at speed. Sole of the foot - changes of direction and tight spaces. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 The speed dribble The players use the... Laces for speed dribbles...getting into spaces fast. The technique is toe down and ankle locked, taking small touches with the laces. Exercise: Once players have used the inside or outside of the foot to keep the ball, the player can then accelerate into space. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Learn the sole role The players use the sole role to... Change direction. Roll the ball away from the defender. Shield the soccer ball. Can even be used as a pass. Exercise: An easy exercise for the players to practice are toe taps. Once a player has mastered toe taps in one place, they can try moving toe taps - forward, backward and sideways. Variation: Use the right or left foot only... This is a great way for the players to keep their foot on the ball and move the ball away from defenders.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (Focus on Dribbling Basics) IMAGINE YOU RE AT THE EDGE OF A POND FILLED WITH ALLIGATORS. Up to 12 players, each with a ball, working in pairs. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the outside of the pond and try to catch your partner, but don t let the ball go in the water! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 TROLL (Focus on Dribbling Basics) IMAGINE YOU RE TRYING TO CROSS A BRIDGE THAT S HOME TO A NASTY TROLL. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. A coach or parent is the troll, and moves on all fours or in a crab position. Go! use your feet to move the ball across the bridge. Don t let the troll get the ball, and don t kick your ball off the bridge! Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction, back to the other side of the bridge. If your ball gets caught or falls off the bridge, you become a troll too! Players, standing upright, take turns being the troll. Start with more than one troll in the middle of the bridge. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: QUICKSAND Up to 12 players. Have the parents form a large circle, with one parent or coach inside it. Go! The coach/parent inside the circle is the tagger. Run around the island and try not to get tagged. If you do, you re stuck in quicksand until a teammate crawls through your legs to set you free. Keep your head up and make sure not to bump into anyone, and don t fall off the island! Run around with a ball in your hands, or bounce the ball as you run. Dribble! use your feet to move the ball. Pass the ball through your teammates legs to free them from the quicksand.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 FREEZE (Focus on Dribbling Basics) Up to 6 players. Go! start to run forwards towards the finish line. Change! 1. Run sideways. 2. Hop on one foot, then the other. 3. Bunny hop with both feet together. 4. Skip. 5. Roll. 6. Crawl and roar like a bear. 7. Crab walk. Freeze! stop where you are and don t move until your coach says go. Each player has a ball; i.e., 1. Hop with the ball between your feet or knees. 2. Bounce and catch the ball as you skip or run.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 TRUCK & TRAILER (SHADOW PLAY) (Focus on Dribbling Basics) Up to 12 players, each with a ball, working in pairs inside a parking lot. One player is the truck and the other is the trailer. Go! As the Truck, use your feet to move the ball around the parking lot. As the Trailer, follow your truck as closely as possible. Trucks and trailers: keep your heads up and don t hit any other vehicles! Switch! Trucks and trailers switch roles. Speed up! Trucks start moving faster. Turn! Trucks change direction. Park! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

Teach your players how to master the ball with good dribbling basics" What is the best way to begin teaching dribbling basics? The kids should be introduced to the following skills. Inside of the foot - foundation touches. Outside of the foot - changing direction and tight spaces. Laces - dribbling into space at speed. Sole of the foot - changes of direction and tight spaces. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 The speed dribble The players use the... Laces for speed dribbles...getting into spaces fast. The technique is toe down and ankle locked, taking small touches with the laces. Exercise: Once players have used the inside or outside of the foot to keep the ball, the player can then accelerate into space. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Learn the sole role The players use the sole role to... Change direction. Roll the ball away from the defender. Shield the soccer ball. Can even be used as a pass. Exercise: An easy exercise for the players to practice are toe taps. Once a player has mastered toe taps in one place, they can try moving toe taps - forward, backward and sideways. Variation: Use the right or left foot only... This is a great way for the players to keep their foot on the ball and move the ball away from defenders.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 TO THE CORNER (Focus on Dribbling Basics) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Use cones to make four corner boxes; number each corner from 1-4. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the middle of the field. Keep your head up and avoid running into anyone. To your corner! When you hear the coach call out a number, dribble the ball as fast as you can to that corner. The first player to get there wins a point! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball when you get to the corner. Turn! Instead of stopping at the corner, put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling back to the middle of the field. Speed up! move the ball faster after you turn it. Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 SPECIAL DELIVERY (Focus on Dribbling Basics) IMAGINE YOU RE A MESSENGER DELIVERING PACKAGES FROM ONE HOUSE TO ANOTHER. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Put 3 extra balls in each corner box. Go! use your feet to move the ball (your package ) to a corner box. Use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Leave that ball in the corner box, take a different ball, and use your feet to move the new ball to another corner. Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction towards a different corner. Visit as many squares as you can (in one minute). Stay away from the mean dogs! Coaches and/or parents block entry into one or more of the corner boxes. Players can only dribble into the open corner box. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: PARTS OF THE BODY GAME (USE THE OPTIONS) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Have the parents form a large circle (or island ). Go! run around the island holding the ball in your hands. Make sure to keep your head up and avoid bumping into anyone. Don t fall off into the water! Listen! When your coach calls out a part of the body (e.g., foot, hand, elbow, knee, etc.), place the ball on the ground and put that part of your body on the ball as fast as you can. Pick up the ball and keep running. Parents line the boundaries and pretend to be sharks. Move around the island carrying the ball while doing the bunny hop. Hop on one foot. Crawl like a bear and roar. Do the crabwalk. Dribble! use your feet to move the ball around the island.

Here are five soccer dribbling moves that help young soccer players go 1 on 1 to beat soccer defenders Cuts - Inside and Outside. Step over soccer move. Scissors - Single and double soccer move. V-move. Lunge move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Teaching the inside foot cut move The player will approach the ball and plant the standing leg in front of the ball at an angle. The plant foot should be pointed where he or she wants the ball to go. This move is an attacking move so the player wants to go at an angle and end up behind the defender. The player then swings the hips around and chops down on the ball, with knees bent and explodes into space. The kids will be able to change direction very quickly with this cut. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Teaching the outside foot cut The same move as the inside foot except the player is using the outside of the foot and making the ball go in the opposite direction. The toe still needs to be up slightly and the ankle needs to be locked. Reach for the soccer ball with the kicking foot and chop down on the side of the ball with the outside of the foot. The ball should not get caught in the player s feet but travel a bit, so when the player explodes the ball is there. This is a great move for getting away from players and shielding the soccer ball.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 DRIBBLE TAG (Focus on dribbling moves) Five players, 4 of them with a ball. Player without a ball (the defender) goes to the center of the field. Go! Players on the outside begin dribbling around the edge of the field, and then dribble across while the defender tries to tag them with his/her hand. If a player gets tagged once, they keep going. If a player gets tagged twice in the same crossing, they become the defender. Instead of tagging players, the defender tries to take the ball away. If successful, the other player becomes the defender.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 FAKE AND TURN (Focus on dribbling moves) Up to 16 players, some with no ball ( free players) or the coach/parent can play as free player. Dribble! use your dribbling skills (i.e., fakes and turns) to move the ball around the field and get it past the free players, who get in your way but don t try to take the ball. Switch! rotate players into the free role. How many free players can you dribble past in one minute? Challenge! Free players try to take the ball; if successful, they get to dribble. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: PARTS OF THE BODY GAME (USE OPTIONS) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Have the parents form a large circle (or island ). Go! run around the island holding the ball in your hands. Make sure to keep your head up and avoid bumping into anyone. Don t fall off into the water! Listen! when your coach calls out a part of the body (e.g., foot, hand, elbow, knee, etc.), place the ball on the ground and put that part of your body on the ball as fast as you can. Pick up the ball and keep running. Parents line the boundaries and pretend to be sharks. Move around the island carrying the ball while doing the bunny hop. Hop on one foot. Crawl like a bear and roar. Do the crabwalk. Dribble! use your feet to move the ball around the island.

Here are five soccer dribbling moves that help young soccer players go 1 on 1 to beat soccer defenders Cuts - Inside and Outside. Step over soccer move. Scissors - Single and double soccer move. V-move. Lunge move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Teaching the Step-Over Move Simple and effective when players get the move down. This dribbling move can be used to beat players or get away from defenders. The player steps over the ball with the kicking foot or dominant foot from right to left or left to right. The player comes back with the kicking foot to touch the ball with the outside of the foot. The step over move is very easy to recognize because the feet cross when the player steps over the ball, unlike scissors where the feet are apart. Great move for tight spaces and pressure when the defender is behind the attacker. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Teaching the Scissors Move When teaching the kids the single scissors soccer move... The player steps with the kicking leg from left to right around the ball. The kicking foot should land on the outside of the soccer ball. The player then takes the standing foot and pushes the soccer ball in the opposite direction. This is a great soccer dribbling move to get defenders off balance and explode past them into space.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 THINK FAST (Focus on dribbling moves) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the field. React as fast as you can! 1. Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. 2. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction. Keep your head up and avoid bumping into anyone. 3. Pick a Move Step over! step over the ball and move it another direction. Fake! pretend to pass or shoot, then continue dribbling. Explode! change speed quickly and move the ball into an open area.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 TRUCK & TRAILER (SHADOW PLAY) (Focus on dribbling moves) Up to 12 players, each with a ball, working in pairs inside a parking lot. One player is the truck and the other is the trailer. Go! As the Truck, use your feet to move the ball around the parking lot. As the Trailer, follow your truck as closely as possible. Trucks and trailers: keep your heads up and don t hit any other vehicles! Switch! Trucks and trailers switch roles. Speed up! Trucks start moving faster. Turn! Trucks change direction. Park! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: QUICKSAND (USE OPTIONS) Up to 12 players. Have the parents form a large circle, with one parent or coach inside it. Go! The coach/parent inside the circle is the tagger. Run around the island and try not to get tagged. If you do, you re stuck in quicksand until a teammate crawls through your legs to set you free. Keep your head up and make sure not to bump into anyone, and don t fall off the island! Run around with a ball in your hands, or bounce the ball as you run. Dribble! use your feet to move the ball. Pass the ball through your teammates legs to free them from the quicksand.

Here are five soccer dribbling moves that help young soccer players go 1 on 1 to beat soccer defenders Cuts - Inside and Outside. Step over soccer move. Scissors - Single and double soccer move. V-move. Lunge move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Teaching the V move The v-move is great dribbling move when a player is in tight space or pinned to the sideline. The player puts the right or left foot - sole - on the ball and pulls the ball back towards his or her body, opening up the hips. The players then pivots on the standing leg and pushes the ball with the inside of the foot into space. The move forms a big "V" when the player pulls the ball and changes direction. The v-move is probably better when you are in tight spaces or a defender has closed the space down and is going to get the ball. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Teaching the Lunge When teaching the lunge move The player is dribbling the ball and lunges onto the left foot on the left side of the ball to get the defender off balance. The player then touches the ball into space with the outside of the right foot into space. Obviously, the coach can teach the move going the other way...lunge right and touch left. This move is very effective and simple and generally lines the player up for a shot after the move is completed. A great move for going straight at defenders and getting good shots off.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 TO THE CORNER (Focus on Dribbling Moves) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Use cones to make four corner boxes; number each corner from 1-4. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the middle of the field. Keep your head up and avoid running into anyone. Use specific dribbling techniques. To your corner! When you hear the coach call out a number, dribble the ball as fast as you can to that corner. The first player to get there wins a point! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball when you get to the corner. Turn! Instead of stopping at the corner, put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling back to the middle of the field. Speed up! move the ball faster after you turn it. Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 FAKE AND TURN (Focus on dribbling moves) Up to 16 players, some with no ball ( free players) or the coach/parent can play as free player. Dribble! use your dribbling skills (i.e., Vs and Lunges) to move the ball around the field and get it past the free players, who get in your way but don t try to take the ball. Switch! rotate players into the free role. How many free players can you dribble past in one minute? Challenge! Free players try to take the ball; if successful, they get to dribble. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 DRIBBLE TAG (USE THE OPTIONS) (Focus on dribbling moves) Five players, 4 of them with a ball. Player without a ball (the defender) goes to the center of the field. Go! Players on the outside begin dribbling around the edge of the field, and then dribble across while the defender tries to tag them with his/her hand. If a player gets tagged once, they keep going. If a player gets tagged twice in the same crossing, they become the defender. Instead of tagging players, the defender tries to take the ball away. If successful, the other player becomes the defender. Have players start using their moves.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 SURVIVOR (Focus on dribbling moves) IMAGINE YOU RE ON AN ISLAND, SURROUNDED BY WATER. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the island, but don t let the ball go in the water! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Dribble around as many palm trees (cones) as you can (in 30 seconds). Knock over as many palm trees as you can with the ball (in 30 seconds). Trade! Trade balls with another player. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction. Dive! pick up your ball and jump in the water. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: AROUND THE WORLD Up to 12 players, sitting or standing in a large circle. Number each player (1-12). Go! When the coach calls your number, travel around the outside of the circle and return to your spot as fast as you can. Listen! Move as your coach tells you to. 1. Run forwards. 2. Run backwards. 3. Shuffle to the side. 4. Hop with your feet together. 5. Skip, etc. Each player has a ball: Forwards players dribble the ball forward around the circle. Turn! players turn and dribble in the other direction. Weave! Players must weave in and out of their seated teammates as they dribble around the circle. Players use only their left or right foot, or a certain part of the foot (i.e., inside, outside, laces) to move the ball. Race! call out 2 numbers at once. The first player back wins!

Here are five soccer dribbling moves that help young soccer players go 1 on 1 to beat soccer defenders Cuts - Inside and Outside. Step over soccer move. Scissors - Single and double soccer move. V-move. Lunge move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Teaching the Step Over Move Simple and effective when players get the move down. This dribbling move can be used to beat players or get away from defenders. The player steps over the ball with the kicking foot or dominant foot from right to left or left to right. The player comes back with the kicking foot to touch the ball with the outside of the foot. The step over move is very easy to recognize because the feet cross when the player steps over the ball, unlike scissors where the feet are apart. Great move for tight spaces and pressure when the defender is behind the attacker. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Teaching the Scissors Move When teaching the kids the single scissors soccer move... The player steps with the kicking leg from left to right around the ball. The kicking foot should land on the outside of the soccer ball. The player then takes the standing foot and pushes the soccer ball in the opposite direction. This is a great soccer dribbling move to get defenders off balance and explode past them into space.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 (THE WEAVE) (Focus on dribbling moves) Up to 12 players, working in pairs; 1 ball per pair. Distribute cones randomly around the field. One partner starts with the ball, the other stands with fellow resting players on the field amongst the cones. Go! Players with the ball begin dribbling freely around the field. Listen! follow the coach s instructions: 1. Weave! dribble around the resting players, weaving in and out. 2. Dribble! around a resting player using Step Over or Scissors then fully circle one cone. 3. Change! leave your ball where it is, run to a teammate s ball and continue dribbling. 4. Legs! pass the ball through your partner s legs from wherever you are, then crawl through his/her legs to continue. Switch! Partners swap roles after 2 minutes. Players start by throwing the ball in the air and controlling with their chest, thigh or foot before dribbling. Pass! Players pass to their partner from wherever they are. The resting partner picks up the ball and throws it back. The receiving player controls the ball with the chest, thigh or foot before dribbling.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 FAKE AND TURN (Focus on dribbling moves) Up to 16 players, some with no ball ( free players) or the coach/parent can play as free player. Dribble! use your dribbling skills (i.e., Step over & Scissors) to move the ball around the field and get it past the free players, who get in your way but don t try to take the ball. Switch! rotate players into the free role. How many free players can you dribble past in one minute? Challenge! Free players try to take the ball; if successful, they get to dribble. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: CAPTURE THE PENNY Up to 12 players, in 2 teams. No ball to start. Each player has a pinnie (or an old t-shirt) tucked into his/her shorts, hanging down roughly to the hem of their shorts. Go! run around the field and try to capture all the opposing team s pinnies by pulling them out of their shorts. The last player with a pinnie gets a point for their team. Each player has a ball, and must dribble it around the field while trying to capture the pinnies. Introduce a knockout format, where players who lose their pinnie (or have their ball kicked out of bounds) have to leave the field. The last remaining player wins a point for their team.

Here are five soccer dribbling moves that help young soccer players go 1 on 1 to beat soccer defenders Cuts - Inside and Outside. Step over soccer move. Scissors - Single and double soccer move. V-move. Lunge move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Teaching the V move The v-move is great dribbling move when a player is in tight space or pinned to the sideline. The player puts the right or left foot - sole - on the ball and pulls the ball back towards his or her body, opening up the hips. The players then pivots on the standing leg and pushes the ball with the inside of the foot into space. The move forms a big "V" when the player pulls the ball and changes direction. The v-move is probably better when you are in tight spaces or a defender has closed the space down and is going to get the ball. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Teaching the Lunge When teaching the lunge move The player is dribbling the ball and lunges onto the left foot on the left side of the ball to get the defender off balance. The player then touches the ball into space with the outside of the right foot into space. Obviously, the coach can teach the move going the other way...lunge right and touch left. This move is very effective and simple and generally lines the player up for a shot after the move is completed. A great move for going straight at defenders and getting good shots off.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 SURVIVOR (Focus on dribbling moves) IMAGINE YOU RE ON AN ISLAND, SURROUNDED BY WATER. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Go! Use your V and Lunge move to get the ball around the island, but don t let the ball go in the water! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Dribble around as many palm trees (cones) as you can (in 30 seconds). Knock over as many palm trees as you can with the ball (in 30 seconds). Trade! Trade balls with another player. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction. Dive! pick up your ball and jump in the water. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

Dribbling and acceleration The fast footwork series is my favorite because it speeds up the learning process getting the players lots of touches in the process. Fast foot work exercises will help the young players... Improve dribbling technique. Build confidence. Teach players how to accelerate away from defenders. Build a rhythm by getting the magic hop into your fast foot work training. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Inside - outside move How do you develop a foundation with fast foot work? Start with the inside - outside move... The player starts with the ball at his or her feet. Inside left foot touch - outside right foot touch - hop. Repeat going the other way. Inside right foot touch - outside left foot touch - hop. Coaching point: The players will need to cut the ball back across the body to avoid traveling around. The coach can help get the player into a rhythm by starting out the exercise slowly, moving to a faster pace when the player is comfortable. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Pull - inside - outside move The player is practicing inside - outside but adding a pull to the beginning of the move. Right foot pull with sole of the foot - inside- outside - hop. Repeat going the other way. Left foot pull - inside - outside - hop. Coaching point: The training hop is on the end of the move to help the player to transition to the other side.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 (THE WEAVE) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Up to 12 players, working in pairs; 1 ball per pair. Distribute cones randomly around the field. One partner starts with the ball, the other stands with fellow resting players on the field amongst the cones. Go! Players with the ball begin dribbling freely around the field. Listen! follow the coach s instructions: 1. Weave! dribble around the resting players, weaving in and out. 2. Dribble! Use an acceleration technique and go around cone. 3. Change! leave your ball where it is, run to a teammate s ball and continue dribbling. 4. Legs! pass the ball through your partner s legs from wherever you are, then crawl through his/her legs to continue. Switch! Partners swap roles after 2 minutes. Players start by throwing the ball in the air and controlling with their chest, thigh or foot before dribbling. Pass! Players pass to their partner from wherever they are. The resting partner picks up the ball and throws it back. The receiving player controls the ball with the chest, thigh or foot before dribbling.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 SURVIVOR (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) IMAGINE YOU RE ON AN ISLAND, SURROUNDED BY WATER. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the island, but don t let the ball go in the water! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. Dribble around as many palm trees (cones) as you can (in 30 seconds). Knock over as many palm trees as you can with the ball (in 30 seconds). Trade! Trade balls with another player. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction. Dive! pick up your ball and jump in the water. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

Dribbling and acceleration The fast footwork series is my favorite because it speeds up the learning process getting the players lots of touches in the process. Fast foot work exercises will help the young players... Improve dribbling technique. Build confidence. Teach players how to accelerate away from defenders. Build a rhythm by getting the magic hop into your fast foot work training. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Pull back - behind standing leg move Add a pull back behind the leg now... Right foot pull back - touch with inside of right foot behind standing leg - outside left foot touch - hop. Repeat going the other way so players work both sides. Left foot pull back - touch with outside of left foot behind standing leg - outside right foot touch - hop. Coaching point: This move turns into a good shielding move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Add a scissors move The player does a double scissors move around the ball for 30 seconds as fast as the player can go. Don't know the scissors move? The player steps inside and around the soccer ball with the right foot. The player then steps inside and around the left foot - feet come apart. Repeat this exercise for thirty seconds. Have the player accelerate out of the move both directions The players will fall all over themselves doing this exercise - funny!

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 THINK FAST (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the field. React as fast as you can! 1. Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. 2. Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction. Keep your head up and avoid bumping into anyone. 3. Pick a Move Step over! step over the ball and move it another direction. Fake! pretend to pass or shoot, then continue dribbling. Explode! change speed quickly and move the ball into an open area.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 TRUCK & TRAILER (SHADOW PLAY) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Up to 12 players, each with a ball, working in pairs inside a parking lot. One player is the truck and the other is the trailer. Go! As the Truck, use your feet to move the ball around the parking lot. As the Trailer, follow your truck as closely as possible. Trucks and trailers: keep your heads up and don t hit any other vehicles! Trailer does same move as truck. Switch! Trucks and trailers switch roles. Speed up! Trucks start moving faster. Turn! Trucks change direction. Park! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: AROUND THE WORLD (USE THE OPTIONS) Up to 12 players, sitting or standing in a large circle. Number each player (1-12). Go! When the coach calls your number, travel around the outside of the circle and return to your spot as fast as you can. Listen! Move as your coach tells you to. 1. Run forwards. 2. Run backwards. 3. Shuffle to the side. 4. Hop with your feet together. 5. Skip, etc. Each player has a ball: Forwards players dribble the ball forward around the circle. Turn! players turn and dribble in the other direction. Weave! Players must weave in and out of their seated teammates as they dribble around the circle. Players use only their left or right foot, or a certain part of the foot (i.e., inside, outside, laces) to move the ball. Race! call out 2 numbers at once. The first player back wins!

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 DRIBBLE TAG (USE THE OPTIONS) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Five players, 4 of them with a ball. Player without a ball (the defender) goes to the center of the field. Go! Players on the outside begin dribbling around the edge of the field, and then dribble across while the defender tries to tag them with his/her hand. If a player gets tagged once, they keep going. If a player gets tagged twice in the same crossing, they become the defender. Instead of tagging players, the defender tries to take the ball away. If successful, the other player becomes the defender. Have players start using their moves

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 FAKE AND TURN (USE THE OPTIONS) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Up to 16 players, some with no ball ( free players) or the coach/parent can play as free player. Dribble! use your dribbling skills (i.e., Acceleration Techniques) to move the ball around the field and get it past the free players, who get in your way but don t try to take the ball. Switch! rotate players into the free role. How many free players can you dribble past in one minute? Challenge! Free players try to take the ball; if successful, they get to dribble. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: CAPTURE THE PENNY (USE THE OPTIONS) Up to 12 players, in 2 teams. No ball to start. Each player has a pinnie (or an old t-shirt) tucked into his/her shorts, hanging down roughly to the hem of their shorts. Go! run around the field and try to capture all the opposing team s pinnies by pulling them out of their shorts. The last player with a pinnie gets a point for their team. Each player has a ball, and must dribble it around the field while trying to capture the pinnies. Introduce a knockout format, where players who lose their pinnie (or have their ball kicked out of bounds) have to leave the field. The last remaining player wins a point for their team.

Dribbling and acceleration The fast footwork series is my favorite because it speeds up the learning process getting the players lots of touches in the process. Fast foot work exercises will help the young players... Improve dribbling technique. Build confidence. Teach players how to accelerate away from defenders. Build a rhythm by getting the magic hop into your fast foot work training. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Pull back - behind standing leg move Add a pull back behind the leg now... Right foot pull back - touch with inside of right foot behind standing leg - outside left foot touch - hop. Repeat going the other way so players work both sides. Left foot pull back - touch with outside of left foot behind standing leg - outside right foot touch - hop. Coaching point: This move turns into a good shielding move. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Add a scissors move The player does a double scissors move around the ball for 30 seconds as fast as the player can go. Don't know the scissors move? The player steps inside and around the soccer ball with the right foot. The player then steps inside and around the left foot - feet come apart. Repeat this exercise for thirty seconds. Have the player accelerate out of the move both directions The players will fall all over themselves doing this exercise - funny!

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 TO THE CORNER (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Use cones to make four corner boxes; number each corner from 1-4. Go! use your feet to move the ball around the middle of the field. Keep your head up and avoid running into anyone. Use specific dribbling acceleration techniques. To your corner! When you hear the coach call out a number, dribble the ball as fast as you can to that corner. The first player to get there wins a point! Stop! use the bottom of your foot to stop the ball when you get to the corner. Turn! Instead of stopping at the corner, put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling back to the middle of the field. Speed up! move the ball faster after you turn it. Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair.

Dribbling and acceleration The fast footwork series is my favorite because it speeds up the learning process getting the players lots of touches in the process. Fast foot work exercises will help the young players... Improve dribbling technique. Build confidence. Teach players how to accelerate away from defenders. Build a rhythm by getting the magic hop into your fast foot work training. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Now the player will practice the fast footwork move with a double touch on the outside touch. Inside - outside move - double touch Add a double move to inside - outside move... Inside right - hop - outside left - double touch. Repeat the move coming back the other way. Inside left - hop - outside right - double touch. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Pull - inside - outside move - double touch This fast footwork exercise begins with... Pull right foot - inside right foot - outside left foot - double touch - hop. Repeat on other side. Pull left foot - inside left foot - outside right foot - double touch - hop. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #3 Pull behind standing leg move - double touch The exercise starts with the player... Pulling with the right foot - touch right foot behind standing leg - outside left foot double touch - hop. Repeat on other side. Pull left foot - touch inside left foot behind standing leg - outside right foot double touch - hop. Double scissors moves for 30 seconds.

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 FAKE AND TURN (USE THE OPTIONS) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Up to 16 players, some with no ball ( free players) or the coach/parent can play as free player. Dribble! use your dribbling skills (i.e., Double Move) to move the ball around the field and get it past the free players, who get in your way but don t try to take the ball. Switch! rotate players into the free role. How many free players can you dribble past in one minute? Challenge! free players try to take the ball; if successful, they get to dribble. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4v4

Dribbling and acceleration The fast footwork series is my favorite because it speeds up the learning process getting the players lots of touches in the process. Fast foot work exercises will help the young players... Improve dribbling technique. Build confidence. Teach players how to accelerate away from defenders. Build a rhythm by getting the magic hop into your fast foot work training. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #1 Now the player will practice the fast footwork move with a double touch on the outside touch. Inside - outside move - double touch Add a double move to inside - outside move... Inside right - hop - outside left - double touch. Repeat the move coming back the other way. Inside left - hop - outside right - double touch. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #2 Pull - inside - outside move - double touch This fast footwork exercise begins with... Pull right foot - inside right foot - outside left foot - double touch - hop. Repeat on other side. Pull left foot - inside left foot - outside right foot - double touch - hop. INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY #3 Pull behind standing leg move - double touch The exercise starts with the player... Pulling with the right foot - touch right foot behind standing leg - outside left foot double touch - hop. Repeat on other side. Pull left foot - touch inside left foot behind standing leg - outside right foot double touch - hop. Double scissors moves for 30 seconds.

GROUP ACTIVITY #3 DRIBBLE TAG (USE THE OPTIONS) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) Five players, 4 of them with a ball. Player without a ball (the defender) goes to the center of the field. Go! players on the outside begin dribbling around the edge of the field, and then dribble across while the defender tries to tag them with his/her hand. If a player gets tagged once, they keep going. If a player gets tagged twice in the same crossing, they become the defender. Instead of tagging players, the defender tries to take the ball away. If successful, the other player becomes the defender. Have players start using their moves

GROUP ACTIVITY #4 TROLL (USE OPTIONS) (Focus on dribbling & acceleration) IMAGINE YOU RE TRYING TO CROSS A BRIDGE THAT S HOME TO A NASTY TROLL. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. A coach or parent is the troll, Go! use a double move to move the ball across the bridge. Don t let the troll get the ball, and don t kick your ball off the bridge! Turn! put your foot on the ball. Roll it backwards. Turn and continue dribbling in the opposite direction, back to the other side of the bridge. If your ball gets caught or falls off the bridge, you become a troll too! Troll tries to take ball from dribbler SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4

WARM-UP: UP AND CATCH Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Have the parents form a large circle. Each player has a partner. Go! hold the ball in your hands and start to move around inside the circle. Keep your head up and be careful not to bump into anyone. Up and catch! throw the ball up and catch it. Clap and catch! throw the ball up and clap once before you catch it. To your partner! throw the ball to your partner and try to catch their ball at the same time. Kick and catch! drop the ball, kick it back up gently and try to catch it. Drop and control! drop the ball, let it bounce and then use the side of your foot to control it before picking it up again. Have the players do the activity while hopping, balancing on one foot, or spinning around once before catching the ball.

Balance How do soccer players develop balance? The players are always using one foot to juggle and the other to stand on, or back and forth. The player have to get their hands out for balance. This helps players get a feel for the soccer ball and how to protect themselves during a game. Concentration While the players are learning to juggle they will have to... Concentrate on the ball and their technique to improve. The players will also have to concentrate to improve their juggling numbers or while playing small juggling games. The players will enjoy the small challenges... Touch How do the players learn to develop touch and skill in soccer? The kids learn how the ball spins. There could be a forward spin or a back spin. The players also learn which surface to use like the foot, thigh or the head. How to control the ball depending on the height and angle the ball is coming at them. Juggling with the feet Why should the players keep the ankle locked and keep the toe pointed out - straight? This helps the ball go straight up when the player makes contact. The kids can self correct by knowing that when the... Toe is up the ball will spin back towards the player. When the toe is pointed down to far the ball will bounce away from the player. When the toe is straight out the ball will go straight up.

GROUP ACTIVITY #1 JUGGLING 101 JUGGLING IS A FUNDAMENTAL SOCCER SKILL. PLAYERS USE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY (E.G., FOOT, THIGH) TO KEEP THE BALL FROM TOUCHING THE GROUND. Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Juggle! 1. Hold the ball in your hands. Throw it up and catch it 2 times. Then drop it and use the top of your foot to gently kick it back up. Try to catch the ball before it touches the ground. Use the other foot. 2. Same as #1, but this time let the ball bounce and try to catch or kick it again after the bounce. 3. Same as #2, but try to kick it up twice in a row without letting it bounce, then catch it. Use the other foot. Hold the ball in your hands, drop it onto your thigh, then catch it. Use the other thigh. Alternate thighs, catching the ball each time. How many can you do in a row without letting the ball touch the ground? Set your record for juggling how many times can you touch the ball with your feet and thighs without catching the ball or letting it bounce on the ground?

GROUP ACTIVITY #2 SIMON SAYS Up to 12 players, each with a ball. Listen! when coach says do this, you do it. But if you don t hear coach says, don t do it! Coach says throw the ball up and catch it; coach says throw the ball up, kick it and catch it; coach says use your other foot; etc. Instead of juggling, coach says drop the ball onto your foot and use the top of your foot like a pillow to gently lower the ball to the ground. Coach says use your other foot. SMALL SIDED GAME 2V2, 3V3, OR 4V4