The games described below can easily be incorporated into practice sessions for young children. They're fun, simple to explain and help reinforce basic skills without any pressure.

For the very young Under 6 the game of Red Light – Green Light is an easy game to learn and teaches the children to keep the ball close and under control.

THE GAME

Each player has a ball, except the one player that is designated as the "light".

Lines from start to finish should be approximately 20 - 30 yards.

Players start from the line opposite the "light".

The "light" then turns away from the group shouting out "GREEN LIGHT".

At this signal, the players start to dribble towards the "light".

When the "light" turns round, calling "RED LIGHT", players must freeze and stop their ball.

If the "light" catches players or a ball still moving that player must take 5 steps back.

The first player to cross the line where the "light" is standing is the winner and becomes the new "light".

You can start the game without using balls for younger players, then have them roll the ball with their hands, then use their feet. 

Players dribble where the coach tells them to, i.e. a direction as suggested in the title or you can make it a colour or an animal, whatever. This again teaches the children to keep the ball close and , hopefully, shows them how to change a direction.

Draw

This is a very popular game with the younger crowd. Place players in 2 lines facing each other. Place one football in the middle of the each two players .

For example: Willy and his sister were working on cleaning their rooms. Willy

You can add progression to this drill by having the players jog in place, have the players only use the non-dominant foot, have the players move up a ladder if they win and down if they lose the round and see who can get to the top first.

Here is a game which involves both passing and dribbling that is fun and engages players quickly. Also, although primarily an individual exercise that allows for differences in ability level, if the players are ready, it can quickly become a cooperative game where players work together to solve a challenge.

The Game

• Each player will need a ball. Player 'A' is "It" and is the only player to start with a ball. All the other players around the outside of the grided space.

• Player 'A' dribbles and tries to hit the other players below the waist with the ball.

• When hit, that player gets a ball and joins player 'A'.

• The game is over when all of the players have been caught.

• The last player caught is “It” and starts with the ball for the next game.

If you think the task will be too difficult for the one player to get another at the

start of the game, start with 2 players being "It".

Coaching Points of Get-Em

Here is another game that emphasizes dribbling that is fun and challenging for players. Again, primarily it is an individual game that could lend itself to small group cooperation if the players are ready.

The Game

Each player will need a ball, except those that have been designated as "It". Players that are "It" need to carry a coloured bib or flag in their hand. Players with a ball try to dribble without being tagged. If they are, they exchange places with the "tagger" (The "tagger" hands the bib to the dribbler and takes their ball).

Dribblers are safe in one of the designated bases. Only one player is allowed in a base at a time. if a new player enters a base, the old player must leave the base.

Add "taggers" when the players find the game to be easy.

It seems about right to have one base for every 3 players, but, this number can be adjusted either way to make the game constantly interesting.

This game can also be played by only allowing the "tagger" to "get" someone by kicking their ball away, not just "tagging" the person. (a variation on Shark)

Experiment with different combinations of "taggers" and bases to keep the players engaged.

This is a drill suggested by Ivan Mann, a coaching colleague from the soccercoach- l mailing list.

Set Up and Execution

Make a square with pretty small sides - players line up on each side. Put an adult in the middle of each side (that means four adults) holding a dozen or so flat cones (you could use anything else similar size and shape). 50 cones or 50 slips of construction paper will do.

After a few rounds dribble across the square, dribble around the coach, and then stop the ball, say "Trick or treat," etc. Or place the adults randomly in the square, moving at a walking pace. This makes them keep their heads up and look for the target (i.e. the adult)