Name Diagram is the Visual NEENAH SOCCER CLUB - 2018 Recreational Program U8C&G Age Group Week 1 & 2 Initial Activity: Freeze Tag 5 minutes When players are tagged they are frozen and cannot move. To get back in the game they must call for another player to help, get a Hi-Five and tell each other their names. If a player goes out of the activity s area they are tagged too. Start the game with Coaches as taggers. Then, set one player or more as tagger(s) Skill of the Week: DRIBBLING - Copy the Coach (5 min) Relay Races (5 min) Coach will dribble with the ball and demonstrate different foot surfaces to be used. Each player should have a soccer ball. Initially Coach will dribble and players will follow; no instructions. Then, Coach will demonstrate what foot surface to be used: Inside-Outside Right Foot; Inside-Outside Left Foot; Push forward with Solo of the Foot (L&R), Side to Side with both feet. Variation: Number players as #1 and #2 and one follows another. Rotate leaders. Use half of the field for this activit y. Place a cone line over the goal box line and in between throw in lines. Sa me area will be used for both activities. Avoid using goal/end line to avoid players hanging on the crossbar and playing with nets. Play 4 rounds 30-45 seconds. Rotate taggers. Coaches can be the taggers. Include parents as taggers too. Communication and interaction with teammates Coach demonstrates the drill for 10-15 seconds, then players perform it on their own for 20-30 seconds, and finally coach will call one or more players for a quick demonstration; 5-10 seconds. Repeat this process for all 4 skills above. Pick different players for demonstrations. Change directions with the ball; Keep heads up (see the ball and look up); Keep the ball close and in control Split the team into small groups. Players race in a relay format against each other with the ball. At each race set a different touch on the ball to be performed when players get to the furthest cone, then they dribble back in line. At the first round let them dribble up and down. Then use: toes tap, side to side and sole of foot at the furthest cone, before going back. Use both feet! Set 3-4 lines of 2-3 players. No big lines! Use 5-10 yards for the activity. Start short and increase it as needed. Then, add in cones that players can zig-zag w/ the ball. Keep the groups 3-5 yards apart. Play sets of repetitions (1-2 times each players/groups). Switch opponents (i.e. line 1vs2, 3vs4). Manage session time versus repetition sets. Small touches; Keep the ball close to foot; Ball control under pressure; Use both feet Final Activity: Sharks and Minnows Line up a few players with a soccer ball each on one side of the area; Sharks. Spread others players, on their knees, without soccer ball, over the playing area; Minnows. Sharks should dribble across the area ( Sea ); from one side to the other avoiding Minnows to tag their soccer ball. When Sharks have their soccer ball tagged, they become a Minnow. Game goes until last Shark wins it. Variation: Split them into 2 teams. Use half of the field and the area between throw in lines for Sharks dribbling across of it. Position Minnows over the area with both knees down. Coaches and/or Parents may start as Minnows. Play 2-4 rounds of last Shark wins. Rotate Sharks & Minnows. Coaches may start as Minnows too. Play 2-4 rounds with teams: Sharks go back and forth across the Sea. The team that tags all Sharks faster wins. Time each round. Rotate roles so both teams can play as Sharks and Minnows. Main Goal: Ball Control Activity layout is the visual
NEENAH SOCCER CLUB - 2018 Recreational Program U8C&G Age Group Week 3 & 4 Name Diagram is the Visual Initial Activity: Tail Tag 5 minutes Set the players in pairs of two. One tucks the pinnie in their shorts like a tail. Their partner must try to steal the pinnie. When the partner gets their tail they tuck it in and run away from the opponent. Coaches and/or Parents may start as taggers. Variations: In Pairs as described above AND whoever ends up with the tail wins it. Team Game one group with tails and other without it. Rotate Roles. Spread players in pairs over the soccer field area in between goal boxes. Starting position. Play 4 rounds of 30-45 seconds. 2 time each variation above. Movements around the opponent and Reaction Speed Skill of the Week: DRIBBLING and SHIELDING 1v1 Shielding (5 min) 4 Gates Game (5 min) Set players in pairs. One player with the ball (Attacker) and the other without it (Defender). Player with the ball should protect it by positioning his/her body in between the defender and the ball Shielding the ball. At each time the defender touches the ball they got a point. Variation: Attackers, with the ball, dribble over the area with the defenders following them. On Coach s command players stop and play the 1v1 game above for 5-10 seconds. On coach s command they dribble again. At this moment, whoever has the ball will dribble and whoever doesn t will follow. Use field area for this activity. Spread the pairs over the field area. Play 2 rounds of 1v1 game on their spot. Rotate players with the ball. Then play 2 rounds (30-45sec) of the dribbling game (whoever finishes with the ball wins). Split the team into 2 groups. One team with a soccer ball per player (Attacking Team) and the other with no ball (Defending Team). Set 4 gates next to the corners of the field. Attackers will dribble over the area trying to keep the ball. Once Defenders approach Attackers, they should shield the ball for 5-10 seconds, then they dribble again. Coach will control this time. Also, Coach can make a call for Attackers to stop and shield (5-10 seconds). Defenders can ONLY steal the ball when the Attackers are shielding it (when Attackers are dribbling Defenders follow them). Once defenders get the ball they should dribble through the gates. Attackers can try to get it back at any time. When defenders score, coach gives the ball back to the attacking player who dribbles again. Use the area from goal box to goal box. Set 4 gates next the corners of the field for defenders to dribble through them. Play 4 rounds of 30-45 seconds. Each team will play as defenders and attackers twice by rotating team roles. Use body to protect the ball; Positioning body in between opponent and the ball; turn with the ball; balance when controlling and shielding the ball. Final Activity: 1v1 Steal and Shield 1v1 Steal and Shield - Split the team into 2 groups; Attackers and Defenders. Attackers will start with the ball and try to score a goal. Defenders will try to get the ball from the attackers and shield it for 5 seconds. Game is over when 1) a goal is scored, 2) the defender keeps the ball for 5-10 seconds and/or 3) the ball goes out of bounds. After each play, players go back in line. NOTE: At this time attackers will start with the ball and defenders have to get it from them and shield it for 5 seconds. Set defenders on the side of the goal box and attackers on the midfield line. Coach will pass the ball in. Have one group on each half of the field. Play 4 rounds of 2 minutes. Have 2 groups on each half of the field. Switch Attackers and Defenders. And switch opponents after each round. Main Goal: Shielding Activity layout is the visual
NEENAH SOCCER CLUB - 2018 Recreational Program U8C&G Age Group Week 5 & 6 Name Initial Activity: Link Tag 5 minutes The game starts with one tagger. Once other players are tagged they must link arms (or hold hands) with the tagger(s) and work as a team to tag as many players as they can. Encourage them to talk and communicate with each other. Variation: Set 2 groups of 2 players linked to each other, once these groups tag many players add them into one big group to tag remaining players. Use half field for this activity. Place a cone line over the top of the goal box line and in between throw in lines. Avoid using goal/end line in order to avoid players hanging on the crossbar and playing with nets. Play 4 rounds of 30-45 seconds. Combine coaches and players. Combine different players at each round. Play more than one group linked (Variation above). Skill of the Week: FOOT SKILLS and SOCCER MOVES - Copy the Coach (5 min) Beat the Gate (5 min) Coach will demonstrate soccer moves and players will copy the coach. Spend a few seconds demonstrating a soccer move/skill and then give time perform it. After each round choose one or more players to demonstrate it. At each move/skill repeat the same process. Use the following moves: 1. Toe Tap 2. Side to Side (tic toc) 3. Pull back (heel to toe, and turn) 4. Cut (inside touch across the body) Set up players on one half of the field with a coach standing out of it and with his/her back to all players. This coach demonstrates the skills while other coaches will help. Players should hold the ball with sole of the foot during demonstrations. Coach demonstrates the drill for 10-15 seconds, then players perform it in their own spot for 20-30 seconds, and finally coach will call one or more players for a quick demonstration; 5-10 seconds. Repeat this process for all 4 skills above. Pick different players for demonstrations. Split the group into 2 teams. One team has a soccer ball per player (Attackers). The other team (Defenders) will be protecting gates randomly set up around the field. Defenders should be in front of or in between cones. Attacking team will try to score by dribbling though the gates and performing a soccer move right after (Toe Tap or Side to Side). Encourage players to use: 1)Pull Back Turn to take another direction when a gate is too busy; 2) Use Cut Move to beat the Defender Use the field area from goal box to goal box for this activity. Set up one gate per Defender. Spread them far away each other for the safety of players. Play 4 rounds of 30-45 seconds. After each round ask how many goals they scored. Rotate team roles. Each team will play twice as Defenders and Attackers. Final Activity: Beat the Cone and Shoot Players will be divided in 2 groups. All players should have a soccer ball. They will dribble toward a cone in front of them and beat it by using one of the skills taught in the previous activities. Right after beating the cone they should shoot at the empty goal to score a goal. Then they go to get their soccer ball and get back in line. Initially let them go freely. Then, set a move to be used: 1. Side to Side; double inside touch and go around the cone; 2. Cut and speed up to the goal Set lines with 2-3 players max. Set a gate 2-3 yards away from the midfield line on each side of the field. Set a cone 4-5 yards diagonally to player s lines. Have 2 groups playing on at each half of the field. Each coach takes care of one half of the field. Play 4 rounds of 2 minutes. At each round switch the move to be used for beating the cone. Also switch sides so players can attack from both directions. Communication and Team Work Proper foot surfaces for each soccer move; Balance and Coordination Turning with the ball; Going around the defender; Using Cut Move to beat the defender; Ball control. Main Goal: Foot Skills and Soccer Moves Diagram is the Visual for Coaches Activity layout is the visual for players
NEENAH SOCCER CLUB - 2018 Recreational Program U8C&G Age Group Week 7 & 8 Name Diagram is the Visual Initial Activity: Stuck in the Mud 5 minutes The taggers will try to tag as many people as they can. If a player is tagged they are Stuck in the Mud and should say it loud: I am stuck in the Mud in order to get help from other players. When stuck, they should keep their legs apart and arms out to the side. To get unstuck a player must crawl through their legs. Variation: All players have a ball, except the taggers. When players are tagged, they keep their soccer ball aside in the Stuck in the Mud position. To get unstuck another player should pass the ball through their legs. Use half of the field for this activity. Set a cone line over the goal box area and in between throw in lines. Pick 1-2 players as taggers. Coaches and/or Parents may start as taggers Play 4 rounds of 30-45 seconds each. Initially play 2 rounds without soccer ball. Then, add a soccer ball and play 2 more rounds. Switch taggers at each round. INTRODUCING PASSING THE BALL Encourage them to use inside of the foot to pass the ball through teammates legs. Skill of the Week: PASSING TECHNIQUES Hit the Cone (5 min) Clean the Room (5 min) The coach spread cones randomly over the area. Players should run to any direction and touch as many cones as they can with their feet. Then, with a soccer ball each, players will dribble and try to hit the cones by passing their soccer ball toward cone s directions. Use Inside of the Foot and Laces/Instep to pass and hit the cone. Each time they hit the cone they get. Use field area in between goal boxes to spread cones over it. Play 5 rounds of 30-45 seconds. One round without ball, just to know the game. Then, with a soccer ball per player, play 4 rounds switching foot and foot s surfaces (Inside / Laces) to pass the ball to cones directions Split the area in half and have two teams on each half as shown. Players must pass their soccer balls from one half of the field to the other. The game is free flowing so as soon as they have passed their ball they should look around their area and pass any other balls into the opposition area. Soccer balls should land on field s area. Set a cone line over the midfield line for better visual. Set cone lines over the box line and in between throw in lines (Suggestion as the Diagram doesn t show them) Play 4 rounds of 30-45sec. Add more soccer balls. Team with the least soccer balls on their half will win each round. Change passing techniques (inside and laces). Use both feet. Use both feet to pass the ball; Passing with inside of the foot; Passing with laces and Passing accuracy Final Activity: Give and Go Combination Players should pass the ball to each other, in zig zag passing combinations, and shoot at the open goal. Position them in Attacking Lines. Coach will have all soccer balls and will pass in to the first player in line who should control, pass to a teammate on the opposite side of the field, receive it back and shoot to score a goal. It is a Give and Go combination and Shoot. Player who receives the ball will finish (Striker). The other player (Line) will support the play (Supporter). Variation: Add a defender inside a small cone box to try to intercept the combo play Split the team in 3 groups. Use one half of the field. Positon 2 groups at the Attacking Lines and one as Defenders (keep one defender in the box and the others off the field, by side the goal) Set 2 gates over the midfield line. Set a box for Defender s position in front of the goal box. Coach will have all soccer balls and will start the game. Another coach will take care of Defender s rotation at each play. Initially have only the 2 Attacking lines (Striker and Supporter) and let them play for 3 minutes. Then split them into 3 groups and play 3 rounds of 2 minutes. Rotate players over the all 3 positions (Striker, Supporter and Defender). Main Goal: Passing Combinations Activity layout is the visual
NEENAH SOCCER CLUB - 2018 Recreational Program U8C&G Age Group Week 9 & 10 Name Initial Activity: Team Tag 5 minutes Diagram is the Visual Split the team into 2 groups and give them names. Players move around the area, when the coach calls a team name they must tag other team s players as quick as possible. When a player is tagged they are frozen until that round is over. Start the first round with coaches as taggers. Each coach goes after one team. Then set the teams and play Team Tag game. Use 2/3 of the field for this activity. Set 2 cone lines as shown. Avoid using goal/end line in order to avoid players hanging on the cross bar and playing with nets. Play 1 round of 30-45 seconds with Coaches tagging each team. Then, play 3 rounds (3045sec) of Team Tag on Coach s command. Manage time and add more rounds if needed. Communication and Team work. Skill of the Week: 1v1 DECISIONS - Jack in the Box (5 min) Race and Shoot (5 min) Set 2-4 boxes with a player; Jack, in the middle of each. Players try to get in and out of the box without losing the ball. If they leave through a side of the box they get 100, if they can go all the way across the box they get 300. Set a group for each box Variation: Team Game. One group of players inside the boxes and other group with soccer ball trying to dribble through any of the boxes. Use the soccer field area. Set 2 to 4 boxes with good visual to all players (different cone or pinnie colors). Have the players inside the box wearing pinnies for good visual too. Start with Coaches and/or Parents in the box. Rotate players in the boxes at each round. Play 2 rounds of 30-45 seconds. If possible, add more than one player inside the boxes. Then play 2 more rounds Team Game: one group inside the box and other out of it with soccer balls. On Coach s command the first players of each line race out to get the ball. They should race from the end line and go around a cone positioned in front of them. The objective is to get first at a soccer ball passed by the coach and shoot to score a goal. Have cones in the corners of the goal for extra when players hit them. NO GOALIES! Set 2 lines with 2-3 players on each side of the goal. Use 2 cones to set players line on the end line. Set up one cone 1-2 yards away from midfield line and facing players line for them to run around of it Play rounds of 1 minute. Set up two games going on in each half of the field. Play different opponents at each round. Dribbling across the area (1v1); Defending the area (1v1); Dribbling at Speed; Individual Decisions. Final Activity: Creating 2v1 over the Opponent Players will face an opponent, use Pull Back turn to pass the ball back to a teammate and then get open to play a 2v1 game against the defender. Split the team into 2 groups on each half of the field. Coach will pass the ball in to the first player in line. The second player in line will play twice; initially as supporter by receiving a drop pass (pass back) and right after as the first player in line by receiving a pass from the Coach. Basically, the 2 first players in line will be participating at each time the coach passes a ball in. Set a gate over the midfield area for Attacking players and another along of the Goal Box, facing the attacking line for Defenders. Coach keeps soccer balls and will pass it in. Once the play is over, first player will get the ball, give it to Coach and get back in line. Second player will run back to the line to play as first Attacking player. Initially play with NO defenders (2-3 minutes). Focus on Passing Combinations. First player: 1) receives the ball and dribbles, 2) turns and pass it back, 3) GET OPEN. Second player receives and plays a Give and Go. Then add a Defender and observe 2nd player s decision: Should I play a Give and Go (highly encouraged) or go for 1v1? (an option too). Switch Defenders at each round. Play 3 more rounds of 2 minutes. Main Goal: 1v1 Decisions Activity layout is the visual