Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Triangle Dribbling: In a 15x20 yard grid, set up 5 to 7 triangles (three cones about 2 yards apart). All players with a ball must dribble through the triangle in order to score a point. Coach: Have players keep count of how many points they scored in 30 seconds or a min. Repeat, asking the players to beat their score by one or more points. You can also ask them to dribble with their favorite foot or their weaker foot or to stop in each triangle. Encourage players to keep ball close to foot. Players should be using both feet and the inside and outside of foot. keep head up. Demo Cut, catch move. Change of Direction. Activity 2 Two Turns: Set up as shown (see diagram). Pair up the players and place each player on the end line. One player will call the turn and say go. The players will go to the furthest cone and execute the turn, then got to the cone diagonally behind and execute the turn again, then running with the ball to the last cone. The player that arrives to the last cone first gets 10 points. Turns are: Inside of the foot cut, outside foot hook and Drag Back Players should be working at speed. Keep ball close to foot. Focus on pivoting and rotating hips. Encourage players to keep head up. Players should explode out of their turns. Activity 3 Gates Passing with Bandits: Get the players in pairs with a ball. Have the pairs start counting passes through the gates. Select 2-3 players to be the Bandits. They will try to dispossess the passers. If a bandit gets the ball, he/she will try to score points by dribbling through the gates. The passers need to get the ball back from the bandit. Play 3 bouts of 2-3 min each. Challenge players to improve their score. Players should move after they make a pass. use proper technique when passing. Players should use inside and outside of the foot. Activity 4 Castle Combat: The coach makes two teams of 4-5 players each. The players are lined up next to the coach. When the coach serves the ball onto the playing the area, the first 2 players next to the coach will go after the soccer ball and try to dribble it into the box or pass and receive the ball by stopping it inside their own box or castle. The defenders can t defend inside the box. The team with the most balls inside their box/castle wins the game. Explosive movement to the ball. Encourage players to be aggressive. Players see open space they should dribble at with speed. Head up. Look to play teammate.
Game Scrimmage 4v4 or 5v5 Encourage players with lots of positive feedback. Minimal stoppages.
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Dribble Tag: All players dribbling a soccer ball with try to tag each other with their hands. Players cannot abandon their own ball to tag. Coach: Have players keep count of their own tags. Play more than one game have players improve their tags by at least 1 or more than before. be creative. (Change of Direction) Players should use both feet and a variety of surface areas to dribble the ball. Players need to keep their head up. Players should look to be explosive. Activity 2 Shield, Turn or get Tagged: In a 20w x 30l grid, put the players in groups of 2. One is the tagger the other is the protector. The tagger scores 1 point by throwing his/her ball and hitting the protectors ball or by the protector dribbling the ball out of bounds. Switch players after 1 min. Have them find a new partner. Players should make themselves big when shielding. Players should look over their shoulder and have an arm out while shielding. Players should always ne sideways on when shielding and in contact with the ball. Activity 3 Boston Bulldogs: In a 20w x 30l grid, the dribblers will try to cross the city by eluding the bulldogs. Place two bulldogs inside a 20w x 5l yard area in the middle of the grid. On coach command, one group of dribblers will try to cross the city. As soon as one gets to the opposite line the next dribbler waiting goes. If the bulldog dispossesses the dribbler he/she switches with the bulldog. Players should have their head up. Keep ball close to foot. Demo cut, catch, and outside foot cut. Players should look to change direction and be explosive with ball. Defenders should be encouraged to be aggressive when tackling the ball.
Activity 4 1v1 Combat: The coach splits the field into 4 quadrants and places 4 kids each quadrant. Players will play 1v1 to a line. If a player beats a player and stops the ball on the line they get one point. The play is started by one player passing the ball to the opposite player. After the first pair goes the next pair goes. Switch partners up so that they play a new person. Focus on a good first touch. Soft, under control, and forward. Offensive player look to attack at speed. Use a move to unbalance defender. Defensive player look to close down space quickly. Pressure at an angle. Be aggressive. Match Scrimmage: 4 goal game. keep head up and look to switch the point of attack. Lots of encouragement. Minimal stoppages
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Gate Passing: In a 20w x 25l yard grid, set up several gates (two cones about 2 yards apart). Players are now in pairs with a soccer ball. They must pass the soccer ball through the gate to their teammate in order to score a point. Coach: Players count how many points they score in minute. Repeat asking the players to beat their score by one or more points. You can also ask them to pass with the inside or outside of the foot, and using their favorite foot or with the other foot. Variation: Add two defenders to guard the gates. use inside and outside of the foot. Players should practice using proper technique. Once they pass players should move. Players should keep eye contact with one another. Have players say Ball when they want the pass. Activity 2 3v1 or 4v1 Rondo: Make grids 3 10x10. There will be 3 to 4 offensive players trying to keep the ball away from one player in the middle of the grid. Every time the offensive teams strings together 3 passes they get a point. Every time the defensive player steals the ball and dribble out of the grid they get a point. Play 2 min games then switch defenders. Players should keep their head up. Demonstrate proper passing technique. Look to play ball early. Use inside and outside of foot to pass ball. Activity 3 Passing weave to goal: Set out 3 cones spaced 7-8 yards apart. Have the players stand behind a cone so that there are 3 even lines. All the balls will start with the player in the middle line. The passing pattern goes as follows. Middle player passes to one of the outside players then follow his/her pass. Outside player recieives the ball then passes to outside player and follows his/her pass. Pattern continues to goal box and is finished with a shot on goal. Encourage players to step into passes. Play ball in front of player to run onto it. Keep your head up. Small touch forward at an angle into space.
Activity 4 6 v 3 keep away: In a grid have 6 players on offensive and 3 on defense. Defensive players should be in pennies. The 6 offense players should try and complete 3 passes in a row to score a goal. If the defenders steal the ball they try to dribble the ball out of bounds. If they are successful the defense gets a point. Play 5 min games and then switch out defenders. Players should be moving into open space. Look to play the ball early. Players should demonstrate proper passing technique. Match Scrimmage: 4v4 or 5v5 Lot s of positive feedback. Minimal stoppages
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 4 Surfaces: Each player has a ball. Have the players try to use the 4 surfaces of the foot in 1 fluid motion in this order: Outside, Inside, Laces, and Bottom. Transfer the ball from the right to left foot after they stop the ball with the bottom (sole of the shoe) When the players display proficiency, challenge them to do it faster an in a smaller space. The sequence is: Outside of the foot touch-inside of the foot touch-laces (push)-stop with bottom of the foot and change foot. Players should keep their head up. Small touches change speed. change direction. Activity 2 Receive, Pass and Dribble: Set up as many 5W x 10L grids with 3 or 4 players, 2 at one end. The Player with the ball will dribble towards the cone, beat the cone with a move, and pass the ball to the next player in line Player should not stop the ball when receiving it but redirect towards the direction they want to go. Push hard off of outside leg. Controlled touches to the cone. Bigger touch after getting by cone. Firm pass to teammate. First touch should be small and forward. Activity 3 2v1 to Goal: Coach sets up a 15x20l grid. Sets up two cones and organizes two lines behind each cone. The coach will then make a line at the post of the goal. Coach will pass the ball to one of the players who is behind one of the cones. Once the ball is passed the defender will run out and try and steal ball. The two offensive players will try and score on the one defender. Player who receives ball should attack defender with dribble. Player off the ball should stay wide and behind player with ball. Pass should try to be played in front of player off the ball. Encourage players to attack at speed. Keep head up in order to make a good decision.
Activity 4 Pass, Pass, Go: Coach sets up two cones and makes two even lines behind each cone. Players pass the ball back and forth and then on coaches signal they immediately attack the goal and play 1v1. Grid size is 15w x 20l Step into pass. Call for ball. Use inside of foot to pass ball Explosive touch forward. Encourage players to push hard off of back leg. Challenge players to get to the goal as quickly as possible. Game Scrimmage: Gate game. Coach will set up numerous gates spaced randomly around the field. Teams can score by dribbling through or passing a ball to a teammate through the gate. Players should be moving off the ball. Attack open gates quickly. Minimal stoppages Encourage good play.
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Bumbers: Players dribble freely around grid. On coaches signal players dribble at each other and before they bumb into each other they turn directions. Encourage players to be brave and get close to players before turning. Head should be up when dribbling. Players should use a variety of surface areas to dribble the ball. Encourage players to explode for a few steps after they turn. Activity 2 Dragons and Knights: Half the players have a ball and are dribbling around the grid (Knights). The other half are moving around the grid without a ball (Dragons) trying to steal the knights ball(gold). When a dragon comes to take away the ball the player should turn and shield the ball with his or her body to try and protect the ball. Once a player loses a ball they become a dragon. Players should try and shield by being sideways on to the defender. Players should always have a foot on the ball. look over their shoulder when shielding. Hands should be out at sides. Body should be low to ground and butt out. Activity 3 Bombs away: Every player will have a ball. Have half the group start with a ball at their feet and the other half will have a ball in their hands. The players with a ball at their feet will dribble freely through the grid. The half with balls in their hands move around the grid and try to throw their ball at the dribblers ball. Every time they hit a ball they get a point. After one min the roles switch. Do multiple rounds. Protect the ball with your body. Change directions quickly. Peek over shoulder. Encourage change of speed. Players should use both feet to dribble the ball.
Activity 4 1v1 to gates: Partner players up. One of them will start with a ball (offensive player) the other will be without a ball (defensive player). They will play 1 min rounds. Player with the ball will try to dribble through a gate. Every time a player dribbles through a gate they get a point. If a player loses the ball the player with the ball can now try and score. After a minute they play a new round. They player who started on offense now starts on defense. Play multiple rounds with new partners. Players should dribble with their head up. Players should look to explode through gates. take risks. Players should use change of speed. change direction. Defenders should be encouraged to stay in front of players with the ball. Game Scrimmage: 4v4 or 5v5 3 goal game.
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Cats and Dogs: In a 20w x30l grid that will be divided into two halves. All players get a partner; one player is the cat and the other is a dog. Line both players up on the midline facing each other. When the coach calls out CAT or DOG the designated animal will quickly turn and try to dribble their ball to the end line before their partner tags them while dribbling their ball. When players turn they should push off of back leg. Players should use the outside of foot to dribble at speed. Players should keep their head up when dribbling. Encourage players to push the ball not kick the ball when they dribble. The ball should still be close to foot. Players should be all the balls of their feet in order to react quickly. Activity 2 Gate Game: In a 20W x 30L yard grid, place several gates that should be sized about 1.5 yards. There should be plenty of gates. Half the players will be with a ball the other half will start without a ball. On the coaches signal you will play a 2min round. The players with a ball can score by dribbling through a gate. Players without a ball should try and steal a ball and immediately try to dribble through a gate to score. Ask players to try and score in round 1 5 or more points. Next round ask them to try and score more than they did the round before. keep their head up and maintain some eye contact with their partner. Players should step into their passes. Players should use inside and outside of foot to pass. Players should quickly run into open spaces behind a gate to receive a pass. Activity 3 Get Outta Here: The players are divided into two teams. Players are positioned on either side of the coach. The coach should have multiple soccer balls, outside a 10x15 yard grid with a small goal on each end line. The coach serves a ball into the grid and 1 player from each team runs into the grid and they play 1v1. Next pair go once a goal has scored or the coach yells Get outta there. Variations: 2v2 or 3v3 Players should be explosive off the line. be physical. Players should make quick turns and explode to the goal. Good activity to try and cut the ball if a defender steps in front. Encourage players to use their shoulders when battling for the ball.
Activity 4 Numbers Game: Keep the same size of grid as above and teams the same. Number kids on each team off 1,2, 3, 4 etc.. Coach will call out certain #s. (Players 1,3 go!) Players with the #s 1 and 3 from each team run out into grid and will play a game of 2v2. Coach can call out a variety of numbers. Players should be on the balls of their feet ready to react. Encourage players to make quick decisions. Encourage players to take risks with the ball. Players should settle the ball and quickly get their heads up. Discourage kids from just kicking the ball. Game Scrimmage: 4v4 or 5v5
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Cops and Robbers: The coach sets up 8-10 balls on disc cones in a 15x20 yard grid. Robbers will strike their ball and try to knock the ball of the cone(the banks). The cops (2 or 3 players) are without a ball soccer ball and try to stand the balls back up before all the banks are robbed. Rotate the cops and the robbers. Guards will prevent the robber from knocking the balls down. Players should keep their head up. make quick passes. Encourage players to use the inside and outside of the foot to pass the ball. Activity 2 Gates Passing with Bandits: Select 2-3 players to be the Bandits. They will try to steal the ball from the passers. If a bandit steals the ball they will try to quickly dribble through a gate to score. Passers should try to quickly win the ball back if they lose it. Play 3 bouts of 1-2 min each. Players need to be moving into open spaces. Encourage players not to stand behind defenders. Players should try to make good quick passes. Activity 3 Keep away: 7v3 or numbers up keep away. Have seven players try and keep the ball away from 3 defenders. For every 3 consecutive passes made the offense gets a point. If defenders get the ball they try to quickly dribble out of the grid. Swap out defenders Players should spread out to open up good passing lanes. Encourage players to try and play the way the face. (Simple Soccer) Players should try to get the ball of their foot quickly.
Activity 4 End Zones: Set up a 15W x 20L yard grid with two 5 yard end zones. One on each end. Players from each team start behind the back two cones. Coach rolls the ball into play and they play a game of 2v2. Teams score by either dribbling and stopping ball in the end zone or passing to a teammate in the end zone. try and get into the end zone as quickly as possible. Players should look to move into open spaces. take players on 1v1. When players lose the ball they need to quickly transition back on defense. Game Scrimmage: 4v4 or 5v5. Rewarding points for passes. Encourage players to pass the ball early. Players should try to move into open spaces. Minimal stoppages. Encourage good play.
Stage Activity Description Diagram Coaching Points Activity 1 Follow the Leader: Set up a 15w x20l grid. Have players partner up. Both players will have a ball. Assign one player as the leader and the other player is the follower. Randomly set out 6-8 cones. The leader will try and dribble as quickly as they can to a cone and the follower will try to get to the same cone within 2 seconds or less. When leader gets to a cone they wait and call one, one thousand. Once the follower gets to the cone they leader tries to go to a new cone. Switch roles. Players should keep head up. Ball should be close to foot. Players should change direction and speed. Encourage players to use each foot to dribble the ball and a variety of surface areas. Activity 2 Cross over Dribbling: Spread all the players around the perimeter of a 15Wx20L yard grid. When the coach say GO the players will try to dribble across the grid and back as quickly as they can without running into someone. Variations: Do a move when dribbling, do toe taps when you get to end line, Dribble with certain feet. Controlled touches. Explode after the move. Head up. Players will use inside and outside of foot. Activity 3 2v2 Combat: The coach will make two teams of 3-5 players each. Each team of players will be lined up on the opposite side of the coach. The coach will roll or throw out a ball into the playing the field. Teams will battle 2v2 to multiple goals. Variation: Could make it a 1v1, 3v3, 4v4, etc.. Players should be aggressive. Defenders need to immediately pressure ball. move into open spaces. take players on in 1v1 situations.
Activity 4 4 Corners to 4 Goals: In a 20W x25l yard grid set up 4 cone goals. 2 cone goals on each end line. Coach will line up 2 players behind each corner. Coach will roll ball into play and teams will play 2v2 to multiple goals. change directions. Inside cut move. Explosive dribbling to get to goal. Head up to make a good decision. Game Multi goal game: 4v4 or 5v5. Look to switch the point of attack Encourage good play. Minimal stoppages