STAGE 2 ACTIVITIES 6-8 YEAR OLD PLAYERS NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Diploma
2V2 SHOOTING GAME This is a dynamic activity that emphasizes individual and small group attacking and defending. The action should be nonstop with dribbling, beating an opponent, passing, shooting and defending all areas that can be coached. The set-up for this activity is a 32x22 yards rectangle with an appropriate size goal at each end. In the center of the area is a 10x10 yards square representing an attacking zone. Two teams of four players are split in half and pairs start in opposite corners. The coach stands on the sideline with a large supply of balls and goalkeepers are optional to begin. The simple objective is for the team in possession to score in one goal and the defending team to win possession and score in the other. The coach starts the activity with a pass to any of the four players at the front of the line in each corner. On receipt of the ball the player must dribble or pass the ball to a teammate in the attacking zone. This is a directional activity, meaning that a team can only score at one end of the field. This condition provides players with a clear purpose and they will know which goal they are attacking and which goal they are defending. As the play develops the players can move into good attacking support or defending positions. Playing without goalies to begin will increase the chance of scoring success. + Coaching objectives There are several objectives the coach can focus on in this activity including making a penetrating dribble or pass quickly before the defending team can organize. Alternatively the coach can work with defenders to delay the attack and apply pressure to the force play away from goal. + Coaching tips The coach plays a central role in determining the pace of play and which team is given the advantage. Subtle changes in the strength and angle of the pass, the type of service and the players starting positions all have a significant bearing on the outcome of this game. + Less challenging: Start with 1v1 instead of 2v2 and remove the goalkeepers. + More challenging: Add a third player to create a 3v2. Other changes could include making the attacking zone smaller and serving more than one ball at a time. Stages 2, 3 & 4-6-14 year old players. Top 3 themes: Shooting, individual and small group attacking and defending. Top 3 competencies: Shooting technique, movement off the ball and pressure defending. 32yds + The coach makes a short pass into the path of a yellow attacker who penetrates on the dribble into the attacking zone. + The yellow teammate also sprints towards the center to receive a pass and support the attack. + The red players must quickly modify their positions to defend their goal. + The coach makes a similar pass to the yellow player but on this occasion the attacker makes a penetrating pass to the feet of his/her teammate. + On receipt of the ball the yellow player turns to face the goal and can shoot at goal or combine to score. + In the final illustration the coach has added an additional attacker entering from the side. + The coach once again passes to yellows and the yellow attacker enters to create a 3v2. + Two yellow players combine and release the attacker for a shot from the central square. 22yds 10 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA NSCAA LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA - STAGE 2 ACTIVITY -6-8 YEAR OLD PLAYERS
GATE KEEPER Gate Keeper is an excellent activity to activate the interest and focus of young players quickly. The set-up is a 20x20 yards square with cones or lines used to mark the boundaries of the area and 2 teams of 4 players begin. Place 4 cone gates 2 yards apart close to the perimeter of the area to represent the City Gates. In the late 16th century Robin Hood and his Merry Men rob the rich and give to the poor. The Sheriff of Nottingham has instructed the gate keepers to keep Robin Hood outside of the city limits and away from the treasure in the castle. 1 team of players have a ball and can dribble anywhere within the square and the other team are the Gate Keepers. The coach can add a number of conditions to the activity to change the emphasis, such as changing the pace of the dribble, changing direction and dribbling to space. Only two gates can be closed at one time and must be closed for at least three seconds but no longer than five seconds. This gives the dribbling players time to change direction and attack a different gate. + Coaching objectives Encourage players to dribble the ball with their head-up looking for an opportunity to enter through an unguarded gate. As soon as the gate is open the attacker must accelerate and use the laces part of the shoe to push the ball out in front. + Coaching tips Young players in particular enjoy activities with make-believe storylines and mythical characters. Coaches willing to play a part and/or use their voice in a creative way will come an instant hit and success with the players. + Less challenging: To make this activity less challenging for the attackers increase the number of gates the gate keepers need to defend. Reducing the number of gates makes the activity less challenging for the defenders. + More challenging: To make this activity more challenging for the attackers bring the gates closer to the center and reduce the number of balls to 1 ball per pair to encourage passing and off-the-ball movement. Stages 1, 2 & 3-3-11 year old players. Top 3 themes: Dribbling, ball mastery and 1v1 attacking and defending. Top 3 competencies: Feints and dribbling, beating an opponent, attacking and defending. + The red team is Robin Hood and his Merry Men attempting to enter Nottingham through the city gates. + The blue team are the gate keepers who must work as a team to close the city gates. + Only two gates can be closed at one time and must remain closed for 3-5 seconds. + After each team has had an opportunity to play both roles, bring the cone gates closer to the center. + The activity less predictable and establishes more space for the attackers to operate. + Space between the cones is more condensed and players must turn quickly and accelerate at pace. + In the final illustration an additional player is added to support the gate keepers. + The Sheriff s Guard in yellow can win possession from the red team and pass the ball to the coach. + The red player must chase after the ball and re-enter the area. 12 NSCAA Foundations LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA of Coaching - STAGE Activities 2 ACTIVITY Stage -6-8 2: 6-8 YEAR Year OLD Old PLAYERS Players
GROUP PAC-MAN This dribbling and passing activity follows the theme of a once popular children s video game - Pac-Man! The set-up for this activity is a 20 20 yards square with cones or lines used to create boundaries. The coach stands on the sideline with a supply of balls and each player has a training vest in their hand or tucked in their shorts. To begin three players put on their training vest and start with a ball between them. The ghosts must attempt to eliminate the Pac-Man by striking the ball against the legs. If a ball hits a Pac-Man, he/ she puts on their training vest and joins the ghosts. Once Pac-Man has been eliminated restart the game with new ghosts. + Coaching objectives The coaching objective is to work with the passing team to create good angles of support and sufficient distance between them to cover as much of the area as possible. + Coaching tips Activity such as Pac-Man provide an excellent illustration for players of how their movements and decision making can affect their success. Young players will tend to get too close to each other and will dribble when a pass is a better option. These will be many teaching moments for the coach. + Less challenging: To make this activity less challenging for the passing players the coach can reduce the size of the area to limit the space for the players running away from the ball. The coach could also decide to introduce a ball for every pair of passing players. + More challenging: The coach can increase the size of the area and impose touch limitations on the attacking team. Stages 2 & 3-6-11 year old players. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and movement. Top 3 competencies: Passing over short distances, receiving with the feet and support movement. + The three yellow ghosts combine passes as they close in on the red Pac-Man. + The Pac-Man runs away and attempts to find space away from the ghosts. + The yellow players are successful in hitting a red player who becomes a ghost. + Players make a smooth passing combination and corner a Pac-Man. + The coach can limit the number of touches allowed by the ghosts. + The coach can also slow down the red team by introducing movements such as hopping or skipping. + In the final diagram the ghosts have added numbers as they eliminate the red Pac-Man. + The coach introduces a new ball once the yellow team progresses to its 4th and 7th players. + Now the red team are outnumbered and must move quickly to avoid being hit by the yellows. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA BY NSCAA 13
KNOCK OUT The coach can add conditions to increase the degree of challenge for this classic warm-up activity suitable for players of all ages and ability levels. This set-up is a 20x20 yards square with cones or lines used to mark the boundaries of the area and each player has a ball. An alternative set-up could be including 2 adjacent 15x15 yards areas and offer two games concurrently - this version of the activity is available in season 2 of the NSCAA Player Development Curriculum Diploma. There are numerous versions and rules for this popular game. The simple objective is to knock out the other players by kicking their ball out of the area whilst keeping possession on your ball. In the second diagram some of the players have been successful in kicking out their opponents balls. The player whose ball has been kicked out must chase after the ball and attempt to catch it before it stops moving. If successful the player dribbles back into the area and resumes the game. If the ball stops moving the player must perform 10 toe taps or 10 foundations before re-entering the area. The coach can progress to a team game. As balls are eliminated the players can decide whether to defend or attack. Attacking players can maintain possession by passing the ball between them or dribbling. Defending players can apply pressure as an individual or in small groups. + Coaching objectives The coach should show players how to move the ball away from pressure and into space using different escape moves such as a step over, step on turn and Cruyff turn. Also encourage players to constantly look over their shoulder to know where the pressure is likely to come from. + Coaching tips Developing a repertoire of take-on moves is important at a young age. Once the players know the moves, the coach should concentrate on the correct execution. + Less challenging: Instead of all against all, add a couple of defenders in each area so the attackers only need to worry about keeping possession. + More challenging: Add conditions such as left foot only dribble and substitute kicking out the ball by encouraging a nutmeg. Stages 1, 2, 3 & 4-3-14 year old players. Top 3 themes: Dribbling, ball mastery and 1v1 attacking and defending. Top 3 competencies: Escape moves, poke tackle technique and creating space as an individual. + Players attempt to kick out the opponent s ball whilst maintaining possession of their ball inside the area. + This is a good opportunity to demonstrate the poke tackle technique used when the attacker is in front of the defender. + This is a high intensity activity if played correctly, with players using different escape moves. + In the second diagram some of the players have been successful in kicking out their opponents balls. + Players chase after their ball and attempt to catch it before it stops moving. + If successful the player dribbles back into the area and resumes the game. + The coach has introduced a team game between the reds and blues. + As balls are eliminated the players can decide whether to defend or attack. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Activities Stage 2: 6-8 Year Old Players 11
PAINT THE GRID This activity can be played in pairs or threes with one ball per group. As simple as the activity seems, players must be able to control a moving ball and make a return pass. To this end, Paint the Grid is an activity best suited for players entering stage 2 of player development. This is a technical practice that can be used as a warm-up or main theme activity and it challenges groups to cover as much space as they can in a set time limit. The set-up is a 15x15 yards square with cones or lines used to indicate the boundaries of the area. In addition to the technique of passing over a short distance and receiving the ball with either foot, the players are taught to move off the ball when out of possession. Three players make an ideal triangle a shape that is fundamental for attacking play. The challenge is to have players move into new spaces instead of just standing and waiting for a teammate to make a pass. In some respects reducing the number of players to two necessitates player s movement, particularly if the coach stresses the need to create passing triangles. + Coaching objectives The coaching objectives include emphasis on short accurate and well timed passes; movement into space following a pass and communication between players to improve their passing success and coverage of the area. + Coaching tips Mastering short passing and developing competence in receiving the ball with the feet will take many years. Coaches must be patient and expect many frustrating moments for players and coaches. Repetition and reinforcement of basic techniques are essential and keeping passing activities fun and competitive is critical. + Less challenging: the coach can allow unlimited receiving touches at the start. + More challenging: the coach can reduce the number of players to require more explosive movement off the ball. Other changes could include increasing the size of the area and adding multiple groups into the same space. Stages 2 & 3-6-11 year old players. Top 3 themes: Passing, receiving and support. Top 3 competencies: Short passing, receiving with the feet and movement off the ball. 15yds + 3 players on the same team exchange passes. + A player must pass in sequence and is instructed to move to a new space following a pass. + The more space a team can cover with their passes the better.. + In the second diagram we can see how the players are now moving following a pass. + The player originating the passing sequence makes an overlapping run behind the player and the second player runs into space following a pass. + The coach asks players to attempt longer passes. + The two players without the ball move to create width and depth. + This would be a good opportunity for the coach to help players decide where to move after a pass. 15yds 8 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA NSCAA LEVEL 1 DIPLOMA - STAGE 2 ACTIVITY -6-8 YEAR OLD PLAYERS
RAPID SHOOTING Two teams compete to outscore their opponent and the rules can be modified to increase the degree of challenge. This fun shooting game is played in the area around the penalty box with an appropriate size goal. The coach can focus on the players shooting technique and work on their confidence to shoot when presented with an opportunity in front of goal. Defenders can be added to block shots on the goal line and the coach can also introduce a goalkeeper to give young players the chance to become familiar with the position. The coach is positioned at the top of the penalty area with a large supply of balls and the attacking team divides in half on either side of the coach. Each team has the same amount of time or number of attempts to better their opponent. To ensure that players receive plenty of repetition the coach should serve balls continuously with 2 to 3 seconds between and allow the goalkeeper to reset. It is helpful to have some parents assist in collecting balls. + Coaching objectives The objective of this activity is to provide players with plenty of opportunities to strike a ball goal. The coach should encourage the players to run naturally to the ball and adjust the feet to take the shot in stride. + Coaching tips Children love to shoot at goal and score goals. Adding time parameters and limiting the number of attempts creates some realism to the game environment and players enjoy the competition. + Less challenging: The coach can serve the balls closer to the goal and remove the defenders. + More challenging: The coach can progress to using defenders and a goalkeeper earlier in the sequence. The coach can also serve from a deeper position and encourage shooting from distance. Stages 2 & 3-6-11 year old players. Top 3 themes: Shooting, 1v1 attacking and defending. Top 3 competencies: Shooting technique, first touch receiving and recovery defending. + In the first diagram the coach passes the ball in the path of the attacker from the line to his/her right. + The player strikes a first time ball at the goal and then joins the line to the coach s left. + Two defensive players are allowed to use their feet and head to prevent a goal - no hands allowed. + The coach has the attackers start with their back to goal and spin around before shooting. + As soon as the shot is taken the coach makes a pass in front of the player to his/her left. + Repeat for 90 seconds or 20 attempts. + In the final sequence the teams line-up either side of the coach. + The coach makes a pass to the blue team and the red player is the defender. + A goalkeeper is added for an additional challenge and provides soccer specific relevance. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY NSCAA NSCAA Foundations of Coaching Activities Stage 2: 6-8 Year Old Players 9