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Duration 45 - 60 minutes
Equipment required:
one ball for every child
Warm-up
Every player has a
ball. Use the center circle or penalty area, or place cones in a 20 x 30
yard area.
Body Part Dribbling
(3-5 min): Place the players in random formations within the space and
have them dribble without touching other players. When you call out a
body part (left foot, right foot, thigh, head, etc.) the players must stop
the ball with that body part.
Ball Stretching (2-3
min): Have players stand with legs apart and roll their balls with their
hands in a figure eight in and out of their legs. Then, have them place
one foot in front of the other and roll the ball around the front foot ten
times, then switch. Have them sit down, legs extended in front, and roll
the ball towards and around their feet and return along the other side of
the leg. Have them sit in a V and move the ball in an outline around
their bodies, including their backs. This activity makes the players
stretch without realizing it; players at this age tend to just “count”
when being led through stretching exercises, they don’t realize what a
stretch feels like. Activities like this warm up their muscles and keep
them occupied.
I Can Do Something With
the Ball, Can You? (3-5 min): Lead this game first, saying, “I can do
something with the ball (dribble with your left foot, kick as far as you
can, etc.) can you?” and then the players have to mimic you. Then call
the players up one at a time to the center to lead the activity.
Water Break (3 mins)
Main Activities
Individual Ball
Retrieving (5-7 min): Have the players hand you their balls one at a
time. Toss each ball away, and the players must retrieve their balls as
quickly as possible and bring them back any way they want (carry in one
hand, both hands, hold on top of head, etc.) Let them come up with their
own ideas. A variation is to call out a number while the players run away
and they must touch the ball that many times on their way back to you.
The Glob (5-7 min):
Select one player to be ‘the glob’ with you. Have the players line up on
one side of the goal box and the glob stays at the other side. The
players should start running to the other side and try to avoid being
tagged by the glob. If tagged, the players should practice dribbling
behind the goal until the glob has tagged everyone. Select a new ‘glob’
partner and start over. Variations are to have the players dribble past
you.
Water Break (3
mins)
Off to the Zoo (3-5
min): This drill starts without a ball. Have the players gather randomly
in an area, then call out an animal, and they must walk around mimicking
that animal. After the players get the hang of it, add balls, and they
must dribble while being an animal.
Attacking and Defending
Gates (5-7 min): Create 6-8 ‘gates’ or small goals with cones in an area
of the field. Place one child in each gate—this is team A. Another child
lines up facing the gate on either side with the ball (Team B) and tries
to play the ball through the gate. If the Team B player wins, the players
switch roles.
Water Break (5
min)
Game Time (10-12
min)
Play a small-sided game
or two at a time, no more than 4 v. 4 with no goalkeepers. Have balls
available out of bounds to kick in if the ball goes out (kick to players
not as active in the game).
Cool-down (3-5
min)
Toes (2-3 min): Have
the players sit on the ground legs extended and grab their feet with each
hand. Through all of the following instructions, their hands cannot let
go of their feet (this is another creative way to make the kids stretch a
bit).
Can you make one leg
longer than the other? Now the other leg?
How wide can you
stretch your legs?
How small can you make
yourself?
How large can you make
yourself?
Can you get your feet
higher than your head?
Can you get your feet
behind your head?
Can you stand and walk
without letting go of your toes?
more soccer coaching practice plans
coaching pre-school children
soccer games and drill
by age group
how to teach
basic soccer skills
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