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Speed dribbling

Here is an activity that works on speed dribbling and also getting the ball under control after dribbling with speed.

Start with a 40-yard field with a 5-yard “buffer zone” on each end. If there are 15 players at a practice have 12 players start on the end line, each with a ball. The other 3 players start 5 yards back without a ball. See the diagram below for the basic setup.

When the coach tells them all to start, the 12 players with the balls try to dribble at full speed down to the other end line and get three touches on the ball in the far buffer zone. The 3 other players are trying to stop them by either winning the ball, playing the ball away or knocking the ball over the end line. If the players with the ball are able to control the ball in the opposite buffer zone with three touches on the ball, they get to go again in the next round. If the players with the ball lose the ball, they join the defenders in the next round. The last player with a ball wins.

With 15 players you can play this game 5 times to have each player have a chance starting as a defensive player and each player has 4 chances starting as an attacking player.

Not only doesn’t this activity work on speed dribbling but also it’s great for shielding, turns, change of pace and direction, as well as excellent fitness work.

Space and movement

Soccer, although it is played with a ball, is really a game of space and movement without the ball. Unlike some other sports, (baseball, for instance), soccer does not really have positions. Rather, players have differing responsibilities which change as the ball and the other players move about the field. In a strict sense, only the goal keeper really has a “position” to play.

Once your players have attained proficiency in the basic techniques of receiving, passing and shielding a football, you can introduce them to the fact that they will actually only spend a relatively small amount of time (perhaps as little as three or four minutes in every hour) with the ball at their feet.

Your players need to understand that they will actually spend around 90% of every game supporting their team-mate with the ball or moving into a position where they could receive the ball if the player in possession chose to pass. Knowing where they need to be at any given moment of a soccer game is, therefore, just as an important a skill as passing or shooting. Perhaps it is even more important.

There are many games and drills that will allow young soccer players to practice finding the right space and position for themselves on the soccer field.

Equally, there are many that focus on providing support for each other. The simplest of these – keepaway – is used by coaches at every level.

Keepaway, however, can get a bit boring if the only objective is to string as many passes together as possible. This is, after all, not a ‘soccer like’ activity – there is no point in possession without a goal at the end. Children prefer to play games that have an identifiable end result to possession, like the one described below.

Spreading out and positioning

Organisation

Grid is 60 yds x 40 yds
2 players (one at each end) on end lines who must use feet only-targets.
Retain possession until able to deliver ball to target
If successful in delivering ball to target, he returns the ball to the successful team and they attack the other end.
Use one neutral player (shown here in yellow) for both teams.

practicing movement, finding space and support play

Key points

‘Spreading’ out as a team when in possession.
‘Positioning’ in order to receive the ball in as much space as possible.
Appropriate controlling touch of the ball.
Pass forward accurately and sensitively wherever possible.
Movement to make forward passes possible: ahead of the ball and from behind the ball.

Ball control warm ups

Simultaneous passing

Players stand apart facing each other with a football at the players right foot

Each player simultaneously passes to the other players left foot

Each player receives the ball on the left foot and changes the ball to their right foot

Continue to go anti-clockwise,

How fast can you go and stay in control?

Change direction (go clockwise)

Simultaneous passing (2)

As above, the players stand facing each other with a football at their right foot.more passing

Again, each player simultaneously passes to the other players left foot

This time, the receiver taps the ball from their left foot to their right foot and back to their left foot.

Pass the ball back to your partner with the foot that receives the ball

How fast can you go and stay in control?

Reverse direction (right foot, left foot, right foot)

Pass and Flick

Both players stand with a ball in front of their feet soccer coaching warm up

Player A aims a gentle pass to player B’s ball

B meanwhile flicks the ball gently over the oncoming ball to A with the outside of the foot

Each player controls the new ball and continues

Repeat

Change so that B aims and A flicks

Change to use the inside of the foot to flick

Pass and Chip

Both players stand with a ball in front of their feet

Player A aims a gentle pass to player B’s feet

B meanwhile chips the ball gently over the oncoming ball to A with the foot

Each player controls the new ball and continues

Repeat

Change so that B aims and A chips

Soccer tennis

This is a GREAT game for developing juggling skills and “first-touch”.

The best thing is that the kids LOVE IT! We all know how important it is to be able to quickly control bouncing balls during a game. Soccer tennis will create hundreds of quality touches while the players are having fun. Without even trying, they will learn to receive chest balls, thigh controls, instep volleys and head touches. Soon they will be sliding sideways to get in front of the pass instead of poking out with their legs.

Basically it is a tennis game with some sort of improvised “net” (or real net), that is played with the soccer ball and controlled volleys and juggles. You can keep score like tennis games with “love-15-30-deuce” etc… or just play up to any number. (Non-tennis playing kids don’t get the tennis scoring concept.)

When the kids are just learning allow them lots of bounces (on the ground), between shots over the net. (I let my beginning kids have 3 bounces.) It is more important to keep the point going allowing for more touches, than it is to adhere to any strict rules. Later, when they are are pretty good, limit the number of bounces to only 1 or 2. If players have different skill levels, allow more bounces to the beginning player and they can still participate.

At first we even play that if a player totally “flubs” it into the net and the ball dies on their side, that player can get one chance to “rescue” the point by executing a “toe ball-lift” or “heel rainbow-lift” to keep things going. Make up your own version. Have fun! The key is keeping points going with lots of quality touches!

You can make a “net” out of several cones, or maybe 2 cones with a string hung between them. I use a stepladder that I have turned on it’s side, and added a couple of cones at each end and it’s really fun to use one of the little soccer-tennis nets that you can get from the soccer stores.

This game is easiest to learn on a hard surface, where the bounces will be “true” and higher. Later, you can play this game on the field which will require a little more juggling ability.

What to do: Set up a makeshift “net” out of cones, a ladder or even a row of soccer bags stacked up, or use one of the very cool soccer tennis nets. Then cone off a small sized “court” to fit the number of players and the net. If you are playing on the driveway use some chalk or just the lines in the pavement. Needless to say, if you have a real tennis court at your disposal, try it….. (as long as you don’t get yelled at by the tennis coach.)

Divide up teams. You can play 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or even 4v4 on a large court. You can play odd numbers like 2v3, etc.
One player serves from deep in their court across the net to the other team. At first the idea is not to win the point on the serve, but just get the point started.

We usually bounce the ball and then half-volley it across for the serve, but some variations we use are – serving the ball off the ground after a “toe-lift”, or just directly “flipping” it over with one’s toe. Sometimes we toss it up in the air and “head” it over to get things started.

Then the defending player controls the serve, sometimes after a bounce but occasionally out of the air. They will learn quickly to get their bodies in front of the ball and use their thighs, chest or head to make contact. Then you start counting bounces on the ground. Of course in real tennis, the players are only allowed 1 bounce. You will eventually get this good with soccer tennis, but start with more bounces to allow for learning.

I let my little kids take 3 or 4 bounces but the older kids are allowed only 1 or 2. (And of course, the coaches are only allowed 1.)

Juggling (without the ball bouncing) is encouraged. It doesn’t “count” against the player and they can manoeuvre the ball close to the net for a better shot.

Players can and should pass to each other. They will learn to chip a deep shot up to their team mate who then can try to put it away. It can be lots of fun while they refine a soft touch with their juggle touches, volleys and half-volleys.

**If you have time to play only one little fun game, play this one!

Tip: Set up a soccer-tennis net off to the side of your small sided scrimmages and drills, then when you have extra players, or need to rotate some players out, have them stay active playing soccer tennis. They will stay busy while you complete the drill, and refine their skills at the same time.

Soccer ‘sumo’ and the ‘shirt pulling game’

This year my U14 girls played physical games like “soccer sumo” (largest player gets in a small circle of cones, send in a player to shoulder challenge to try to push her out of the cones within 15 seconds) and the “shirt pulling game” (grab partner by the shirt up near the shoulders, place a ball 3 meters away. Partner who touches ball with her foot first wins — nearly anything short of punching goes – long nailed girls are likely to break one).

To mediate this competitiveness I also try to create an environment where everyone feels valued as a person — not just as a player. There is no stigma in losing as long as you are working to improve. The competition is there to improve the team, not to demean anyone. Let’s compete hard, but keep it all in perspective.

With girls from U-11 though U-17 I think you really need to have this dual focus — competition, but also the security and safety that comes from knowing that you are worth more than your soccer ability and that EVERYONE on the team has something to contribute.

Soccer marbles

Age range: for soccer players aged 6 and up

Objective

The “soccer marbles” drill develops both defensive and offensive skills. The defenders learn how to protect open space and turn with the football. The attacking players learn how to dribble, turn and perform evasive manoeuvres while running with the ball. Because the players take turns in each position, they develop a well-rounded skill set.

Set up

This drill is for three players. Mark off a 10-by-10-yard area with cones. You’ll need a stopwatch to record each attacking player’s time. Give each player a ball — two players start off as defenders and the third as an attacker.

The game

The attacker dribbles the ball around the space, trying to keep it away from the two defenders. The defenders try to be the first to hit the attacker’s ball with their own ball. When a defender hits the attacker’s ball, the players rotate positions.

The coach times how long each player is in the attacker role. The player to last the longest, without getting their ball hit by the defenders, is the winner.

Playing tips

When dribbling, attackers should try to glance up and around between touches.

Defenders should try to get close to the attacking player before attempting hit their ball.

Attackers should practice frequent turning and changing direction.

Progressions

After a few rounds of this drill, try the following for 10 minutes or so:

The attacker must still dribble the ball, but the defenders can carry the ball and roll it at the attacker’s ball — increasing the challenge for the attacker.

Next, have the attacker focus on defensive shielding and positioning techniques. The attacker should work on shielding the ball by positioning their body between the defenders and the ball.

This drill teaches attackers to be aware of their surroundings while finding an attacking space. At the same time, the defenders practice following the attacker and reading their movements. Use this drill to increase coordination and teach players to think fast on their feet.

Games for kindergarten kids

I have had a request about what to do with kindergarten kids. Here are things I’ve done that seem to work.

Rule 1: be nice and have fun.
Rule 2: if things aren’t working give it a minute then move on.
Rule 3: if more than one kid loses focus, change the activity!

Dribbling

Every player with a ball.

Rules

Every player must keep moving and not run into anyone else
When coach says “one” they must stop and put their right foot on the ball (never mind that most cannot yet tell right from left just tell the lefties to use their other right foot).

Ask what part of your foot you should use when dribbling, get lots of answers. Correct one is all parts (trick question). Show how to pull ball back with sole of foot. Ask them to try it after you say start. When they are dribbling around, say “ONE”; once they are all stopped, tell them that now when you say “TWO” they are to stop and sit on the ball. “START” , “TWO”, Now show some other dribbling technique, for instance cutting the ball across with the inside of the foot. “START”, “ONE”, Tell them to move faster and to keep their heads up. “START”, “TWO”. If they did go faster, they probably had some collisions. Ask them how to avoid them. (Right answer is just like cars on motorway, go slower in traffic, only speed up when no one is around and always pay attention to what the other drivers are doing.)

Tell them when you say “THREE” to stop and put their nose on the ball. “START”, “THREE”, “START”, encourage them to find space on the field, help them say “there’s space over here”, “now its over in the other corner”. etc. Do several of the stops and starts to get them a little silly and maybe introduce another dribbling move.

Try “FOUR” – elbow, “FIVE” -left ear, etc.

Sharks and minnows

Need a moderate space with boundaries (about the dimensions of one long kick for these guys). All but one player (the shark) has a ball. The shark tries to kick the minnows’ balls out of the area. First let the minnows retrieve their ball and continue, then the minnows become sharks after they lose their ball. Continue play until all the balls are gone. Retrieve the balls and repeat.

Use a few cones to make a 10 to 15 yard square. Have all players with ball inside area. Tell them to try and kick each other’s ball out, but to keep their ball in. If their ball is kicked out, they must sprint after it and bring it back inside as quickly as possible. Stop them, ask them to count how many times they can kick someone else’s ball out. Start up again. Stop and ask who had more than 2,4,…. Now ask them to count how many times their ball is kicked out. Start and stop again, forget to ask for total.

Another game is to give 1/2 the players balls and tell the others to take a ball away and try to keep it. Players with a ball after 1 minute win. Repeat 2 or 3 times.

Arrange them in pairs. If you have an odd number, have one play with you. Play 1v1 keepaway for 1 minute. Player in possession after 1 minute is winner. Rearrange the pairs and go again for a total of 3 or 4 times.

Passing

Have them find a partner, one ball per pair. This will take a little while so you might tell them to come back from the break with a partner and a ball before you dismiss them.

First have them pass the ball back and forth while standing about 3 yards apart. They will look hopeless.

Stop them and ask what part of foot to use for short accurate passes on the ground. (Answer is inside of foot, show them what you mean; that part of the foot between the heel and ball of foot.) Have them resume. Point out that a pass is no good if it can’t be received by their team-mate. Ask what that means (answers on ground, within reach, not to hard, not too soft, when it is expected, for example it does no good to pass to a team-mate’s back, or to one picking dandelions)

Stop them ask them how to receive the ball (answer: cushion the ball so it slows and is left in front of you so you can step forward to pass it, Don’t let them stop the ball under their foot, or so close that the ball is stuck between their feet and must be moved before it can be kicked, tell them the ball should be kept moving) Now you will also have to tell them to back up after they pass the ball or else, they will end up too close together. Resume

Stop and tell them to do two-touch passing (you probably will have to ask what Two-touch is and find a correct respondent). Resume

Stop. Tell them that you want to count the number of passes in a minute and to start on your command. Start and time for one minute. Ask each pair how many passes, repeat.

Tell them to do one-touch passing. Time them for one minute while they count. Offer praise, “that’s very good”, That’s better than I though a bunch of 6-year -olds would do”, etc.

Now tell them to pass and move after they pass. Tell them to keep track of their partner, to avoid the other players (It’s harder than it looks), and not to dribble (two- or three -touch).

If you have an even number break them up into equal groups. 2v2 or 3 v3 is good, but 4v4 is confusing and will need a good neutral player or two to work, if you have an odd number pair yourself, or an older sibling with the obviously weakest player.

If you do pairs, have them play keep-away for one minute.

Encourage the player without the ball to move to get open and the defenders to challenge for the ball and to deny passing lanes. Team with the ball after one minute wins. Go again. Go again. Keep reinforcing the idea of getting open on the attack (in a position where your team-mate with the ball can see you, where you are not too close, but close enough and where the other team can’t intercept the pass).

If you do 3v3, consider using a neutral player to help the team with the ball. Again, reinforce the need to move to get open. Point out what happens if you hold the ball too long before passing (you get ganged-up on). Keep such observations very brief and generally make them in the form of a question (to which you will likely get lots of wrong answers, just say “no, that’s not what I’m looking for” or “that’s it!” when you get the right answer) If the neutral player is reasonably talented, have them ask the players to get open whenever there is no good target. The neutral player needs to move to be a good receiving position all the time. The better the neutral player, the more players that can be involved. Tell the players with the ball to make the longest pass they are capable of to a team-mate who is open. (Not the longest kick, but the longest pass to the team-mate farthest away from the other team’s players; Same comments about passes as before, within reach, on ground, not too hard, not too soft).

Shooting

Players love to shoot and score. Almost anything that gets lots of shots in a short time is fine. With 6 or fewer, a simple line taking turns and retrieving the balls works fine. Have them stay out of the way of each others shots.

For more than 6, you need to keep the bystanders occupied in some way. Having them serve a ball to the shooter, then move to the shooting line and the shooters retrieve ball and move to serving line.

Easiest serves are those coming from behind and slightly to the side of the shooter, also ball must be on ground and in front of shooter Shooter should be facing sideways so he can see both the ball coming and the goal at which she will shoot. Next easiest are serves coming from the goal on the ground back to the shooter who is facing the goal; hardest serves are those coming across the field from either side.

If a larger goal is available, a parent as keeper (preferably a totally inept keeper) is lots of fun.

The youngest will be lousy servers and you will have to decide if it is “working” when you have them serve. If not simply change the activity.

One version of the setup: Line in front of goal about 15 yards out. First player in line has no ball. Second player in line pushes the ball from behind to in front of the first player so that the ball is rolling towards the goal. The first player catches up to the ball and takes a first time shot. First player retrieves ball and goes to end of line, second player moves to front of line … (You will have to instruct them about passing the ball slowly enough that the first player can reach it, but hard enough that it does get in front of him. One way to begin this is to have the first player facing the goal with his legs spread and the second player passes between the first players legs. That at least puts the ball between the player and the goal and as long as the pass is not too hard, the first player should be able to get a shot off.)

Other

1v1: Have the players find someone of comparable ability. Use two pairs. Have one pair serve as “goals” standing with their legs spread apart and the other two compete to score. Tell them the goals must be scored by shooting on the ground. After one minute goals and players switch.

If you have an odd number of pairs, use parents as “goals” .

Small sided game

Encourage the team with the ball (attackers) to spread out and to move to get open. Encourage the defenders (team without ball) to get between the ball and the goal (goal-side) (or between an attacker who is “up front” and the goal).

Don’t worry about the finer points of throw-ins, offsides, etc. Do prohibit sliding tackles, encourage the attackers to shoot, defenders to get back as soon as they lose the ball.

Defenders are everyone on the team that doesn’t have the ball. Attackers are everyone on the team that does have the ball. When no one has the ball, deciding whether you should act like a defender or an attacker is hard to determine, but the team that gets it right most often usually wins the game.

The scrimmage will likely look like a swarm around the ball. If the coach must engage in some tactical instruction, have one player play behind the swarm to collect any balls coming to him and play the ball forward to space in front of and to the side of the swarm. Later introduce players to the sides of the swarm to collect any balls to the side or passes from behind and then dribble forward and shoot or pass to the middle. Finally, add a player in front of the swarm to serve as a target. Now with 4 players outside the swarm, the remaining few players are just midfielders, the others are just in good supporting positions. Encourage the swarm to pass to any team-mate outside the swarm, yes a pass back is good and should be tolerated, even if it is a bit risky for K-3 s. The players outside the swarm should be rotated frequently.

It will take K’s all fall to get to the point where more than a couple will play outside the swarm. (except, for those who are really not playing at all and just standing with no clue as to what is going on, encourage those to get into the swarm. and get involved)

Do not relegate the only kid with a booming kick to stay back all the time. The point here is to learn and not to restrict the chances to learn in an effort to win or avoid an embarrassing loss.

Of course, there are lots of variations on all of these and you probably have your own favourite. With these guys silly games are not a bad idea. Just remember these little ones have trouble staying focussed on one activity for too long, so make lots of changes. If something isn’t working, change after a very short time, especially if you don’t have a clear way to make it easier or more fun to do.

Multi purpose games for very young players (part 3)

An easy warm up for under 6s

While dribbling the football with their feet, have the players stop the ball with various parts of the body (by calling out ‘foot’, ‘back’, ‘tummy’ etc.) while the ball is on the ground.

Keep your yard clean

This game is simple, fun, and easy to adapt to account for various team sizes and experience.

THE GAME:

Create a ‘neutral area’ between the two teams where no player is allowed. This area can be as small as one yard and as big as 10 yards wide. The width is determined by how far the players can kick the ball.
Each player starts with a ball at her or her feet.
On command, each team tries to keep their side of the game zone free of balls by kicking their ball over to the other team’s side.
After an appropriate amount of time (when the balls become too scattered, or the players are losing focus), stop the game and count which side has the most balls on their side.
Distribute the balls evenly for another try if the players are still interested.

After players have found some success with this basic game, try these variations:

Players can only use their left foot.
They can throw the ball back.
They must dribble the ball around a cone that has been set up in the middle of their “yard” and then kick it back.

Red light, Green light

This should be familiar to most U6’s. Again, the game is fun, simple to set up, and has direct application to the game of soccer. It is particularly good for reinforcing dribbling and ball control skills.

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.

The following games will be enjoyed by all children, especially (but not exclusively) the very young.

The blind leading the blind

Group your players into equal sized, even numbered teams and put the players in each team into pairs.

Position each team about 5 yards apart, all facing forwards in their pairs.

Place 3 gates in front of each team about 5 yards apart. Each gate is 2 cones on the ground, about three feet apart.

One player in each pair covers the eyes of their partner with a sweatshirt tied with sleeves behind the head. They then place a ball between their partner’s feet.

When the race starts the sighted partner works as a guide, talking the blindfolded partner through the gates by voice. The guide can not touch the ball or the blindfolded partner.

When the pair has navigated the 3 gates, they quickly change roles, navigating the 3 gates in the reverse direction, returning the ball to their line.

When the first pair returns to the line, the second pair takes their turn.

Lines compete to be first to return both pairs and the ball to the line after navigating the gates in both directions.

Shorten the distance between gates for younger ages and stagger the gates left and right for older ages to make it more difficult. The objective is to encourage communication, so don’t make anybody feel like a loser – it’s just for fun!

Dribble Relay

The basic game is Team ‘A’ racing team ‘B’ by dribbling through a series of gates. If a player loses control and misses a gate they have to regain control and go through the gate.

One variation is to have a small ‘square’ at the end. The children have to stop the ball in the square, then sprint back and high-five the next player before he/she can start. Another variation is to have several parents positioned at different places along the ‘course’ and have a different one hold up a number of fingers at random times during the race – and award points to the player that sees it and correctly yells out the number first. This encourages the children to play with their heads up.

Freeze Tag

Set up a large rectangle with cones and have the players dribble in the rectangle. After a short time, take the ball away from one or two players who then become “it.” Any player whose ball is touched by an “it” player becomes frozen and has to stop dribbling, spread her legs apart, and hold her ball above her head. He is frozen in this position until another player dribbles her ball between the frozen player’s legs. Switch the “it” players often and make it a contest to see who can freeze the most at one time.

Follow the leader

Pick a leader and have her dribble anywhere on the field, encouraging her to make lots of turns, changing speed, etc. All other players have to follow the leader and do whatever that player does. Switch leaders often.

Last Man Out

Play in a large grid. All the players stand at a cone about 20 feet from a group of balls. There is one less ball than the number of players. On the coach’s command, the players run to the balls, get one and begin dribbling. The player who didn’t get a ball tries to steal one from the others. The coach keeps time and after a preset period has passed, the coach stops the game. The player who doesn’t have a ball has to perform a minor penalty (such as running round the grid) before re-joining the game.

Tag

Very simple and surprisingly effective. Mark off a grid or circle. Everybody has a ball. Whoever is “it” must dribble to another player and tag her. The other players avoid being tagged by dribbling away from “it.” If the player being chased loses her ball outside the grid, dribbles out of the grid, or is tagged, he is “it” and the game continues.

Ball Tag

Just as simple as ‘Tag’ and just as useful! Everyone has a ball and dribbles in a confined area. The player who is “it” must pass her ball so that it hits another player’s ball. The player whose ball was hit then becomes “it.”

Egg Hunt

Have more balls than players. Have the players line-up across one end of the field. Take their balls and spread them out around the field, these are the eggs. If you have an unusual coloured ball –make it the Golden Egg or something similar). At the other end of the field is a goal. I use a portable goal and call it the “basket.” Blow a whistle and turn them loose. The object of the game is to get the “eggs” in the basket as quickly as possible. They are all on the same team, and aren’t allowed to take a ball away from another player. Time them with a stopwatch.

Snake

Players are grouped into threes. First player is the “head” of the snake, and does not have a ball. She’s essentially the leader in a follow-the-leader game. Second player has a ball at her feet, and must follow the head of the snake, dribbling wherever she goes. Third player is the “rattle”. No ball, just following. Emphasise to the “heads” to vary their lead — some fast, some slow, some sideways, some stopping, etc. I let one lead for about 20 seconds or so. Then, on a whistle from a coach, 2 drops the ball to 3 and becomes the head of the snake. The rattle (3) becomes the dribbler and the former head circles around to become the rattle.

Coloured circles

Set up a 20×40 yard grid, make a centre circle, and split players into to teams that can be identified by a colour. Have all the kids dribble their balls in the centre circle. Call out a colour. That team dribbles toward their goal. The other team leaves their ball and runs to slow the attackers down. Encourage the defenders to push the attackers wide and make sure they don’t dive in. If the defenders can keep the attackers outside of the penalty area for 10 seconds they get a point. Attackers get 1 point every time they dribble the ball into the box. Play to 10 points.

Sharks and Minnows

Play in a large grid. Half the players have balls and are the Minnows. The rest don’t have a ball and are the Sharks.

The Minnows start at one end of the grid. The Sharks stand on the opposite line. The Minnows must try to cross the Shark’s line without losing possession of their ball. The Sharks defend their line, trying to kick the Minnows’ balls out of the defined area. Minnows who successfully dribble across the Shark’s line go back for round two. Each Minnow who loses their ball join the Sharks. The last Minnow left in is the winner.

Death Square

Everyone dribbles around trying to keep their own ball and kick out everyone else’s ball. If a player’s ball is kicked out, he must retrieve it, then dance on the ball for 10 touches before getting back in. A player gets a point for every ball he kicks out (so if you spend time outside dancing on your ball, you have less time to win points).

Under Pressure

Get all the kids dribbling around in a grid then remove one, two, or three balls depending on how much pressure is needed. Then announce that whoever has possession of a ball after 1 minute is a winner. If they can chase someone out of bounds they automatically win that ball. Count down the last 10 seconds out loud to increase the pressure. The children who finish without a ball have to perform a token penalty – a couple of pushups, run a lap of the grid, etc.

1v1 to goal

Divide players into two teams. Play in a large grid with a goal on one edge and a supply of balls. Station each team on a goal post, standing off but facing the field. Place a GK in goal facing the field. Coach/assistant stands behind the centre of the goal with a supply of balls. Coach tosses a ball over the crossbar to about the penalty spot. A player from each team both sprint to the ball and attempt to control it, turn, and get a shot off. The second to the ball defends (if he then wins the ball, then he tries to shoot). When there is a score, save, or ball goes out of play, restart the same way with a different pair of players.

The Name Game

Players stand in a circle and pass the ball to one another, but they must call out the name of the person they are passing to. This is great at the beginning of the season, so they (and you!) learn everyone’s names. If the players are doing well and you have enough players, add additional balls.