U7 & U8 Trainings 1hr

U7 & U8 Trainings 1hr Warm ups & Cool Downs For each session there are warm up activities. Each week during your warm ups take breaks and implement some of the following exercises from your fit cards. Each session ends in some type of game where you usually have gear spread out all over the training area. Upon the ending of training take this time to include some cool down exercises. Good way to implement; have the kids pick up all the gear lying around the training ground. When they come back towards you show them what exercises you would like them to conduct. Warm up list: Week 1: Jump rope & March in a Band Week 2: Hula Hoop & Dance in Place Week 3: Jumping Jacks & Rollerblade in place Week 4: Arm Swings & Leg swings (Kids grab a partner and grab their shoulder and start swinging inside leg gently back and forth for 15 sec. repeat other side. Do not let players kick each other) Week 5: Over head Reaches & Jump High Week 6: Rollerblade in place & Arm Circles Week 7: Jump high & Dance in place Week 8: Jumping Jacks & Overhead Reaches Cool down list: Week 1: Quadriceps stretch & Side Stretches Week 2: Overhead stretch & Cobra Week 3: Arm across chest & Butterfly stretch Week 4: Triceps stretch & Toe Touches Week 5: Upper back stretch & Childs pose Week 6: Butterfly stretch & Quadriceps stretch Week 7: Toe touches & Cobra Week 8: Side stretch & Childs pose

Rules of the game Each week introduce a new rule of the game for the kids. Below are the important rules that you can introduce. 1. Kickoffs: Kickoff, is how play is started. They are conducted to begin a game, half and after each goal (non-scoring team). Kickoffs are completed in the center circle of the field where kicking team is allowed to play the ball in any direction upon the sound of the referee's whistle. During this time opposing team may not enter the center circle until ball is kicked. 2. Throw-ins: (U8 only) A throw-in takes place when the ball crosses the sideline. Team is awarded a throw when the ball touches opposing team prior to going out of bounds. When player takes a throw, they must use both hands taking the ball completely behind their head to throw into play. During this motion both feet must stay on the ground. U7 s use kick-ins from the sideline when ball is goes out of bounds off of opposing team. 3. Corners: A corner takes place when the ball goes over the endline off of the defensive team. Offensive team must take the ball and put it in the corner of the field and kick it in. Ball must be placed on the same side of the field as it went out on. 4. Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded to the defensive team when the ball crosses the endline off of an offensive player. Defensive team team places ball 2-3 yards in front of the endline by the goal and kicks it in. Opposing team must go back to their own half until kicking team kicks the ball into play.

Week 1: Dribbling Rule of the Game Kick-offs Warm-up- Greeting game (5-10 minutes) o Players jog around in the grid and wait for coach to call out a greeting i.e. High five (1 hand/opposite/2 hands, Fist bump, shoulder bump, backs or chest) o Have the kids find multiple players to greet. o Add a ball as a progression. Exercise 1- Cone game (15 min) o Make a 20Lx15W Grid with multiple cones laying around grid 2 less than # of players Players are to dribble around the grid. Coach can call out different speeds to run or moves to conduct i.e. Snake (inside outside foot), elephant (la Croqueta), scissors, Step-over Once coach says find a cone players go as fast as they can to get to a cone and put their foot on the ball Players who get to a cone get 1 point, if player is not on a cone they lose all points. First player to 5 points wins Make sure players stay moving and keeping the ball close to them Exercise 2- Get the bacon (20 min) o Set up a 20Lx15W grid with four 4x4 grids set up in the corners for the Pig pens. Make a 5x5 grid in the middle for the Farm where the balls will be kept. Make 4 equal teams one for each pen, teams will try and take balls from farm and put them in their pens. Once all balls are gone, Coach yells Get the bacon players are then allowed to steal balls from other pens. Progression, place cones in front of pens; players must avoid cones getting balls in and out of pens. o Play for 1 min on :30 off for 10 rounds. o Emphasize dribbling with head up and going around others to keep possession of ball.

Play (15-20 min) o Emphasize dribbling and talking players on. Alternative Exercise Sharks and Minnows (15 minutes) *For name can pick any two opposing entities Rabbits and Coyotes* o Set up a 15x15 field o Have 1-2 players start as sharks ( Blue player defenders of the game) Sharks goal is to steal the ball from all other players, if they steal ball that player becomes a shark o Rest of players are minnows ( White players Offensive players of the game) Minnows goal is to dribble from one shallow end to the other without getting their ball taken by a shark. Focus on small touches and going around sharks using moves such i.e. Scissors, Step overs, La Croqueta

Week 2: Dribbling Rule of the Game Throw-ins (U8 Only) Warm-up- Zoo animal Dribbling (10 minutes) o Come up with different zoo animals and moves for them. Elephant = Iniesta (La Croqueta), Snake = In and out, Scissors, Step-overs Have players dribbling abound a grid, Call out a zoo animal having the players do the moves around the grid Exercise 1- relay race (15 minutes) o Set up a line of 5-7 cones for players to zag through then one more 5 yards further for them to run to. o Players are to go through cones in a zig zag, run to far cone, turn, run back zig zag again and lay off ball to teammate whom will do the same. Make teams of 3-4 and first team to have all players go through coarse wins Play multiple rounds where players have to go through cones using different parts of their feet i.e. outside, inside, sole. o Emphasize keeping ball close and under body while dribbling Exercise 2- Go to goal (20 minutes) o Make a 20Wx25L yd grid with extra 5yd grids off both Width end lines add 3 small goals at each end of the endzone. Have two defenders, rest of the players have a ball, they start in the endzone and try to dribble across the field to the other endzone and dribble into the goal. Defenders try to steal a ball and dribble it into a goal, if successful they are now offense and the players who lost the ball become a defender o Defenders are not allowed to defend inside the endzone. Emphasize keeping the ball close and dribbling around defenders going side to side using simple moves.

*Alternative Tips: (instead of pugs can make grids to dribble into or pass into) Play O v D 2v2 (15-20 minutes) o Set up a 15Lx20W grid with an endzone on one end and two goals wide on the others There are two teams one defense and one offense Have both teams line up in two lines Defensive team passes to the offensive team who then tries to dribble ball to goals and finish the ball. Defensive team needs to try and steal the ball from offense and then dribble into and stop the ball in the endzone. Team first to 5 wins. o Play a few rounds Emphasize taking players on and passing when needed. Alternative Exercise Fox and rabbits: Set up a 15x20 grid with two teams. Each team has different colored penneys for tails. Each team will dribble around in the grid trying to pull the tails of the opposing team. once player loses tail they need to do a simple skill prior to playing again. Play multiple rounds for 1min bouts.

Week 3 Passing Rule of the Game Corners Warm-up- Double headed snakes (10 minutes) o Create a 20x15 Grid were players must stay in. o Have all players get into pairs and hold hands, they are the double headed snakes o Coach/player will be the snake hunter, Hunter will dribble a ball around and try to pass a ball hitting the snakes below the knee. If player gets hit once they split up, if they get hit a second time they become a snake hunter. When players are the hunters emphasize passing with inside of foot and dribbling with ball close Exercise 1- Arsenal (10-15 minutes) o Set up a 20x20 grid with line of cones with balls set up on top of cones going through the middle of the field. Create boundary lines on each side that are 8-10 yards from the midline o Start with another set of balls on the midline off of cones. These balls will be used to play with. o Have two equal teams lined up on the two end lines Start play with go players are to run and take balls (not on top of cones) back to their side. They are now to try and knock the balls off the cones by passing the balls they have collected. Emphasize passing with the inside of the foot with the heel down toe up striking the center of the ball. Play a few rounds; recommended to set up the balls on top of cones during play to extend the round. Exercise 2- Pass and Go (15 minutes) o Organization: 20Wx25Lyd grid with 2 goals on each endline. the Pair are to pass, dribble, move to get past defenders & score goals. Rules: Players in pairs w/a ball. Coaches can be defenders. Pass & move w/the ball. Score in one goal then pass w/partner & score in a goal on other side, repeat. How many goals in 1 min, beat your score.

Play 3v2 ( Remainder of training ) o Set up two 20x15 fields with goals on each end line. Two teams where Offense has 3 defense has 2. One player should always be open allowing passing and penetration to the goal. Have players rotate after 45 seconds of play. Rest for 20. If defense wins ball they are allowed to attack the opposite goal. Emphasize finding the open player and going to goal quickly. Alternative Exercise Passing lanes: Set up a row of cones (enough channels for each pair of players) about 2-3 yards apart. Have players lined up on both sides of the cones with one ball between the pair. Tell the players they need to make as many passes between the cones as possible. They will have one minute to do this. Pair with most successful passes will win. Emphasize passing with the inside of their foot, with their heel down and toe up, striking the center part of the ball. Progression: Have the pair start on one end of the line and make passes between each set of cones down the line. This working on first touch and accurate passes.

Week 4 Shooting Rule of the Game Goal Kicks Warm-up- Build up (10 min ) o Set up 2 10x15 fields side by side o As kids show up have them play small sided As soon as you get two players have them play 1 v1 and then 2v1, 2v2 ect. Up to 3v3 Have 2 minute games and 1 minute rest; rotate teams every game. Emphasize dribbling to goal and scoring Exercise 1- Mad house (10-15 minutes) o Set up a 20WX25L grid with two even teams. Give one team balls (one for each player) and the other team none. Have each team start on their perspective end line, on your go the players with the balls will dribble towards the other goal and try to score, while the players without balls will defend and try to steal the ball and then score on the other goal. Group with more goals wins. Play 5-6 times while emphasizing beating someone quick and then getting a shot off. Exercise 2- Flying Changes (15 minutes) o Make a 15Lx10W Grid with two equal teams Each team will have 3 lines one line has balls To start one team dribbles out and the other come out to defend they play 3v3 until the ball goes over one of the end lines or is scored. Depending on what end line the ball crosses or goal it enters determines which team steps off and starts with a new ball (Which ever endline the ball crosses 3 new players come on from that team). Play first team to 7 goals and start a new game. Can play best of 3 I.e. if you are playing black vs white and black scores on white, white will leave the field and 3 new white will enter while black stay on the field and defends until the ball crosses their end line o Emphasize taking on players quick and shooting, lots of shooting.

Play full sided game with emphasis on shooting ( 20-25 minutes) *Alternative Tips If you do not have a place with goals or own pop up goals, can use cones or flags for goals. Bicycle flags work great. Alternative Exercise : Lightning Set up one goal and a cone 20 yards away from the goal. Players will line up behind a cone, coach will have all the balls about 5-10 yards in front of them. Play starts with one player in goal. The coach will pass the ball to the first player in line who needs to have a one time shot. after shooting they player will go into goal. After the first shot if a player gets scored on they are knocked out of the game. The player who scores does not go in goal but to the back of the line and the following player in line goes into goal. Play until there is only one player left, and they are crowned the winner. Emphasize accurate shots, power is not alway best

Week 5 Passing Warm-up- F16 (10 minutes) o Have a 15Wx20L Grid set up where one player is a gunner and the rest are F16 jets. The f16s need to dribble their ball from one end to the other without getting shot down by the gunner. Gunner tries to shoot down the planes by hitting their ball or the player below the knee with their ball. If player gets hit they become a gunner as well To add fun for the players ask the pilots to start their engines and take off Make it fun for the players! Emphasize keeping the ball on the ground when trying to shoot down the planes, heel down and toe up when using the side of your foot. Exercise 1- Make a pass (12 minutes) o Set up a 20x25 grid with 8-12 pairs of cones 2 yards apart around the grid Players are to get into pairs and try and pass through as many cones as possible in one minute rest for 30 seconds. Encourage switching partners after 2 or 3 sessions. Coaches can be the defenders and have players pass around defenders along with going through cones. o Emphasize passing with the inside of the food, heel down toe up. o Receive inside of the foot prior to dribbling to next set of cones.

Exercise 2- Shadow play (15 Minutes) o Create two teams of 4 set them up in a diamond Each team will move the ball up the field with passing until they score. Coach will determine the number of passes needed prior to being allowed to score. Both teams will go at the same time. Emphasize moving the ball up the field while staying in their own zones. Play 4v4 zone soccer (Remainder of training) o Each team plays in a diamond where you create grids long ways down the field.

Players can move in and out of the grids however there cannot be more than 3 players in one grid at a time. This should help with spacing on the field. Here we are working on balance and cover both on offense and defense. Emphasize spacing and knowing where others are on the field. Alternative Activity - Diamond passing (10-12 minutes) o Make a diamond where the cones are 10yds apart two players/cone o Start simple and work to more complex Start by passing around in one direction in the diamond After player passes ball they should follow ball and go to next cone o Work for 90 seconds, 30 sec rest, switch directions o Emphasize receiving ball back foot (foot furthest from ball) To add fun, have two grids going at once with 1 player at each and make them race around the grid (passing only) What team can get the ball around the grid the fastest. Stop once you are back in your spot Progression: Work give and goes Player passes ball to next cone, gets ball back, and then plays player running into open space. o Work 90 seconds, 30 second rest, switch direction o Emphasize the movement after the pass <-- Progression

Week 6 Defending Warm-up- Ankle Slap (5 minutes) Have two players face each other with legs in defensive position (At an angle). Two players try to go and slap each other ankles while in the defensive stance o Keep knees bent and do not face opponent straight on. Once they have an understanding add a ball and try to dribble by the defender. o Have defender stand side on so they can be agile and balanced. o Do not let attacker go beyond the defender (Simple side to side dribbling) Exercise 1 - Killer Whale (15 minutes) Create a circle diameter 10yds 2 players are Orcas (let all players have a chance to be orca) Rest dribble around in circle Orca s try and kick as many balls out of circle as possible. If players lose ball they retrieve it do 10 toe taps and come back in Each Orca team plays :30-:45 seconds Players should work together to win the ball Emphasize trapping one player against the line, and not stabbing but moving side to side with player to stop them Exercise 2- O v D 2v2 (15-20 minutes) o Set up a 15Lx20W grid with an endzone on one end and two goals wide on the others There are two teams one defense and one offense Have both teams line up in two lines Defensive team passes to the offensive team who then tries to dribble ball to goals and finish the ball. Defensive team needs to try and steal the ball from offense and then dribble ball into the endzone. Team first to 5 wins. o Play a few rounds Emphasize defending and forcing dribbler away from goal. Can you win the ball and go the other way.

Play 4v4 Alternative Activity Ninja of the pug (15-20 minutes) o Make a Circle with a diameter of 10 yds, in the middle of the circle place one pug goal. Start with one Ninja and have the rest be the villagers. The ninjas duty is to steal a ball from a player and kick it into the pug goal. If a players ball enters a pug they become a ninja as well. o If a ball goes out of the circle have them bring it back in play and continue (if players dribble out for a safe space they become a ninja as well) Emphasize stealing the ball and attacking right away. Trying to get away from booting the ball once we win it.