Home page – Page 70

Multi purpose games for very young players (part 2)

Warm-ups don’t have to be soccer related. All they need to do is to provide some gentle physical exercise and – most importantly – be a lot of fun. Play tag games, Simon Says, etc.
Anatomy dribbling and Red Light Green Light are excellent warm ups that make use of a football.

Remember that the kids aren’t showing up to play soccer, they’re showing up to have fun. Have fun with them!

Wee ones love the idea of a “new” game ‚ so it is a good idea the change the rules of the game or chance the game every 10 minutes to keep interest. Instructions have to be broken into little steps and kept very brief. If you can not do it and show it in about 20 seconds, then do it in stages, demo part 1, then expand to part 2 etc.

The key to little kids soccer drills is for every player to have a ball and a variety of ‘games’, and drills that include every player. After playing soccer related games, pick one aspect of the game (dribbling, or shooting, or passing) and build the rest of your practice session around that.

Numbers

The exercise is good for 1 vs 1 dribbling skills. It is especially good on a hot day as the kids defending can rest a bit. Divide the kids into 2 groups. If you have ten kids, say, assign each kid a number between one and five. So each team has a number one, a number two, etc. Try to make sure the kids with the same number are evenly matched. Set up two very wide “goals” with pylons. Spread the five kids on each side across each goal line. Call out one or more numbers, and those kids come out to play 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2, etc. and the rest of the kids stay spread across the goal line as defenders. Throw a ball from the sideline into the centre and let them play it until a goal is scored, the defenders stop it, or it goes out of bounds.

Variation: Colours. Use two each of different coloured bibs, armbands, or stickers to place on shirts, as younger kids will have trouble remembering numbers.

Monkey in the Middle

All players form a circle and choose someone (the “Monkey”) to be in its centre. The players forming the circle pass one ball among them while the person in the centre tries to gain control of the ball. When this happens, the person in the circle who last touched the ball goes to the centre. Some level of competitiveness develops but never on an individual basis and the “losers” quickly gets a chance to redeem themselves.

Ice Monster

Mark off an area for the game to be played and select one kid to be the “Monster”. Have the rest of the kids (each with a ball) dribble around within the area. The “Ice Monster” attempts to touch each player’s ball, at which point that player “freezes” with their foot on the ball. If a player’s ball goes out of bounds, they also freeze. The last remaining unfrozen player gets to be the new Ice Monster for the next round.

Cops and Robbers

Have the kids (each with a ball) line up on one side of the field. These guys are the “Robbers”. Have two more kids (the Cops) facing the Robbers somewhere near halfway to the other side. The object is for the Robbers to dribble to the other side without having a Cop tackle the ball away. If a robber loses his ball to a cop, he goes to jail (designate a small area off to the side or use a Goal structure.) Have the Robbers repeat the crossings until there are only 2 left. Make these guys the new cops, pull everyone out of jail and start over.

Pirate (or Monster)

A keepaway game. Coaching points: concentrate on the player’s close dribbling and screening techniques. Everybody inside a circle (centre circle is fine) with a ball. One player without a ball is the Pirate. Everybody starts dribbling around. The Pirate player tries to steal a ball from any player and pass it out of the circle – now, the two players are Pirates and go after the others…..then three, then four. Finally only one player is left with a ball. He/she becomes the Pirate the next game.

Variation: Bomber. Just like above except the “IT” player has a ball and tries to roll/throw it at the other player’s and knock their ball out of the circle.

Kick out

Everyone dribbles and shields their ball within a circle while trying to kick everyone else’s ball out, and simultaneously to protect their own. You can’t kick someone else’s ball out if your ball isn’t in the circle. If your ball goes out you have to leave the circle it gets down to two kids in a duel. The coach may participate to keep the game from becoming to competitive, as the ones eliminated early may feel bad.

Give and go

This one is good for getting the kids to move after they make a pass. It is appropriate for kids a little older, who pass the ball but like to stop and really admire their better passes. Everyone spaces themselves around the centre circle. Give the ball to one person and they call out someone’s name and pass to them. They then run to the receiver’s position in the circle. The receiver upon hearing their name called steps forward to receive the pass and yells “I got it!” The sequence is then repeated. Several things are accomplished besides getting them used to movement. The “I got it!” yell addresses the problem of nobody playing the ball in a game because they thought the other was going to play it. We all learn each other’s names quickly.

Invariably, someone is always left out so start a countdown from 10 to 0 and they have to figure out who has been left out (the left out person should be quiet). They start yelling among themselves to figure out who it is and this fosters communication on the field. (It’s pretty humorous too).

After a few practices, they get it down so they look pretty sharp. Then you toss in another ball. They love it! Now they have to think a bit because people are moving and two are busy with the other ball.

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. At the other end of the field is a goal called the “basket”. Blow the whistle and turn them loose. The object of the game is to get all 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 to see how fast they can accomplish the task.

The kids really like this game. The more balls (eggs) the better. You should see them score, and turn right around and go back for more balls.

Marbles

Split your team into two groups and line them up behind two opposing lines. Each player should have a ball. Place an unusual colour (or size) ball in the middle. This is the marble (a #2 ball works well). Have them try to move the marble across the other team’s line by striking it with a ball. After the game starts, don’t require them to use their own ball, they are free to use any other ball they can find.

At first the players may get really excited and kick the marble. If this happens, call time-out and put it back.

Variation: eliminate the teams and play it in a circle. The game is over when the ball exits the circle.

Teach the parents

During the last practice of the season have a scrimmage between the parents and the players (with the coaches helping the players). This serves a couple of purposes. The kids love this game. They get a chance to show their parents what they can do and they enjoy beating their parents. (The parents never win, the coaches make sure of that….) Also, since many of the parents have never played soccer it shows them how difficult the game really is. The hope is that a parent may now think twice before yelling at a child for missing an “easy” shot in a game. Everybody seems to enjoy this scrimmage.

Shark and minnows

Teaches kids with the ball to shield it from an opponent and teaches kids without the ball how to take it away from an opponent. Use pylons to create a 15-yard square. One player, the shark, starts outside the square without a ball. All other players, the minnows, start inside the square with a ball. When the coach yells, “Shark’s getting hungry!” the shark starts running around the outside of the square and the fish start dribbling around inside the square. When the coach yells, “Shark attack!” the shark enters the square and has 30 seconds to send as many balls as possible outside the square. When a ball leaves the square for any reason, the corresponding fish must leave the square and stay out until the coach gives the “Stop!” command at the end of the 30 seconds. A fish has done well if still alive. The shark has done well if few fish survived. Choose a new shark and play another round until every player has been the shark once.

Camp Town Races

Line up all the players on one end of the field. They each have a ball. On the whistle, they all dribble to opposite end, shoot ball into goal, get ball out of goal, and run back and finish with a shot on opposite goal. The first one to finish is the winner. Ask them “Who is going to win the race?” They all learn to say “The player who can dribble it the straightest!” A variation is to start half at one end and half on the other. This really teaches them to try to do it fast while maintaining possession. This drill really helps players deal with the balls that pop out of the bunch.

Multi purpose games for very young players

Run and shoot

Have the players in two lines by the centre circle. Have a player from one line start moving towards the net and feed him/her a football from beside the net. They have to dribble toward the net and shoot. Normally avoid any drills with line-ups, however this one works because the kids move quickly through the line. You should have lots of parents to help collect balls and keep kids moving through the lines.

Cone soccer

Play 1v1 with one player against one player, each has a cone as a goal. This is every player; nobody stands and watches. The object is to hit the cone; there are no boundary lines, etc. This is nothing but 1v1 dribbling with a little bit of long passing/shooting, etc. They figure out very quickly that they have to beat their man and nothing else will do. After about five minutes, everybody switches to somebody they haven’t played yet. This way nobody is hopelessly outmatched against the same player for very long. They hate to stop doing this until about forty minutes or so when their tongues are hanging to the ground (it’s also a good conditioner). This also teaches individual initiative – nobody else is going to stop the opponent; nobody else is going to score the goal.

Strong sides

The team concept is best taught with unbalanced drills (i.e., 2 v. 1, and 3 v. 2, etc.)– this is true for players of all ages, but especially with younger players. This will make the benefit of team play obvious and it will “let the game be the teacher”. Start with 2 v. 1 drills, then when the players clearly recognize the value of combining to beat one player– either to beat and score or to maintain possession– consider a move to 3 v. 2 (vary the amount of space the drills are carried out in– space is almost another subject).

Striker!

Divide players into two teams. Station each team at a corner post of the goal, standing off, but facing the field. Place a keeper 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. May want to limit amount of time each pair has to attempt to score as some kids will dribble all over the field if you let them and everyone else gets bored. Limit the area that the combatants can “fight” in to the penalty area.

Possession

Picture a square about 20 yards to a side. Coach is at one corner. Two teams are at each of two corners to immediate right and left of coach. Coach serves balls between the two teams first players in line from each team attempt to receive ball and turn and pass to their own team. Second player to the ball attempts to defend, prevent turn, or gain possession and turn and pass to his team. Score one point for turning and passing and successful reception. This keeps the two players in line and the second players in line who are the receivers into the game. Receivers cannot enter field but can adjust position along a line to receive pass. Coach can vary the service to handicap one player or another, serve hard, soft, air balls, or into the space beyond the two lines, etc. Coach controls time and with cones lays out the space for play (if no one can turn and pass within a few seconds, no points and the next players are up; dribble out of bounds and the same thing– get back in line and coach serves another ball).

Line Drills

Although you should limit the number of line drills, the following drills are very helpful in teaching younger players important fundamental aspects of the game (all these are on a field stepped off to regulation size, preferably with a regulation goal).

Players rotate positions:

Simple cut back move: 1 line. Have players start at midfield and dribble half way down sideline with coach providing minimal pressure. When coach says ‘cut’ the player cuts the ball toward the middle and then finishes with a shot. As season progresses, coach adds more pressure.
Reverse move (U6s can begin to do this; U7s ought to be able to do it): 1 line. Players and coach stand on endline next to goal. Coach passes ball ahead. Player has to run and reverse ball, then turn and shoot (or dribble back and shoot).
Pass to partner: 2 lines: one along sideline and another toward the centre of the field.
Same as above, but this time, when coach says pass, the player passes to the wide-open team-mate. The team-mate must be yelling ‘pass it to me.’ The play finishes with a shot. As season progresses, coach adds more pressure. Also, this is the foundation for 2 v 1 or 3 v 1…As season progresses, a defender is added and is coached on how to intercept/steal a pass.
Throw-in play: 2 lines: one along sideline and another toward the centre of the field. The coach (standing on the field 4-5 feet in front of players on the sidelines) has a ball and rolls it out of bounds. He tells the first player in line along the sideline to ‘go get it and throw it in.’ The coach points to where it went out of bounds and tells the player to throw it in from there, encouraging the player to hurry and watching for proper technique. The throw in goes to the team-mate who is yelling ‘pass it to me.’ The throw in made in front of the waiting team-mate. After the throw is made, both players run to the goal. The play finishes with a shot. As season progresses, coach adds more pressure. This can be done with 3 v 1. As season progresses, a defender is added and is coached on how to intercept/steal a throw-in.
Goal kick play: 3 lines: one taking goal kick and 2 lines 10 yards ahead of kicker. Kicker kicks to one of the players who, with other team-mate, runs and takes a shot. Coach is lightly covering one of the targets. As season progresses, a defender is added and is coached on how to intercept/steal the kick and score an easy goal. This might be done with a dad kicking to another dad. The players are shown how to run and intercept for an easy shot.
Kick Off – Offence and Defence -Position the players the way they will be in the game. Defenders touch finger tips, offensive players positioned around their half of centre circle. Teach centre forward to pass at 45 degree angle to partner who starts run as soon as ball is kicked. Emphasize not kicking straight ahead. Teach defenders how to handle kicks straight at them and kicks off to the side.

Passing, receiving and shooting practice plan for U10s

A passing, dribbling and shooting drill where one side is given an extra player (2 v 1)

Game Rules

Have substitute players ready to replace those who are playing.
One team has a single outfield player, the other has two, and both have a goalkeeper.
Several balls should be kept within each goal to keep a ball in play.
Make the goal four yards wide, and create a play area 25 yards by 15 yards.
Encourage both teams to score even though one has a manpower advantage.
When the ball is out of play, start the game at the goal line by the goalkeeper.
Keep score.

Player Objectives

Watch the ball but keep head up to observe opponents and the goal.
Team with two outfield players:
The player in possession has two options – pass the ball or keep it.
Pass to teammate with pace and accuracy, and use teamwork to score.
For the player not in possession, support teammate by being visible.

Team with one outfield player:

Player in possession keeps the ball until the angle to shoot exists, then tries to score.
Manipulate the ball, keeping body between opponents and the ball.
Change pace and direction.

A 1 v 1 v 1 drill that induces the player in possession to create a shooting position

Game Rules

One ball for three players in the area shown in the diagram, approximately 15 yards square.
Each player plays against the other two players.
Each player tries to score in a goal four to five yards wide.
When the ball goes out of play, the coach puts another ball in play.
Goalkeeper making a save throws the ball to the coach.
After 10 balls are served, all three players and the goalkeeper are changed.
Keep score and play the winners against each other to name the champion.

Player Objectives

Control the ball from the coach.
Manipulate the ball to avoid challenges.
Shield the ball when necessary.
Change direction – turn with the ball.
Change pace.
Shoot at the earliest opportunity.

A fun game which encourages good kicking technique and develops passing skills

Mark out an area approximately 15 yards by 10 yards with a goal three yards wide in the middle.

Game Rules

Each player remains behind his own line.
A shot can be played with the inside or outside of the foot through the goal.
The receiving player controls the ball behind his line and tries to pass the ball through the goal (if by lack of control the ball rebounds into the goal, it does not count).
As the players improve, increase the length of the area of decrease the size of the goal.
Limit the touches to three or, as players improve, to two.
Play the game for five minutes and have the players keep score.

Player Objectives

To control the ball and set up the pass.
To achieve pace and accuracy of passes.
A circle game that develops passing and shooting

Soccer circle drill – passing and shooting

Game Rules

Make the goal one cone placed inside an area with a radius of approximately six yards.
If a liner is not available, the circumference can be marked out with frisbees, bibs or other cones.
The team in dark uniforms plays against the team in white.
A goal is scored when the ball is played from outside the area to knock over the cone.
All players are allowed to run through the circle but no player is allowed to touch the ball in the circle.
If any player touches the ball in the area, the opposing team has a free shot at the “goal” from the edge of the circle.
Keep score.

Player Objectives

Player in possession:

To keep an eye on the ball and keep the head up to observe teammates, opponents and the goal.
To maintain possession of the ball by keeping one’s body between the ball and opponent.
To change direction, by turning with the ball, and to change pace.
To pass to teammates and choose which teammate is the better option.
To achieve pace and accuracy of pass.

Players not in possession:

To support the player with the ball.
To know where and when to run.
To know not to make the same run as other supporting players, or to crowd the player in possession of the ball.

NOTES:

The game should be no longer than three minutes before allowing players to rest.

With a group of 12, six play and six rest.

3v3 one goal

A 3-a-side game which emphasizes dribbling, passing and shooting

Game Rules

A normal 3-a-side game in an area approximately 30 yards by 20 yards, except that it is played around one goal rather than two.
Emphasize shooting at goal at the earliest opportunity.
Players combine to create goal-scoring opportunity.
Team in the dark uniforms can score only from the left side of the field, and team in white only from the right side.
Re-start game with a throw-in any time the ball goes out of bounds.
When goalkeeper makes a save from one team, he throws the ball into the opposing half of the field.

Player Objectives

To take early shots from within shooting distance of the goal.
To provide support for the player with the ball.

How to use “windows” drills

“Windows” drills are a particular type of exercise that I was taught in several different coaching clinics. Each instructor had his own method of using them but the main idea was the same – a large circle of cones with half the players inside the cones and half outside the circle. The players on the outside of the circle served the balls to a player on the inside. Those players on the interior of the circle had to perform some specific activity and then return the ball to the server (or to a different player other than the one who just served the ball to him) on the outside of the circle. If the task was a header the ball would be headed back to the same person who served the ball. On the other hand if the task was a trap and turn the player would look for a different person to return the ball to.

These are very active exercises and required good fitness. The drills lasted about two minutes each and then the players on the outside would swap with the players on the interior of the circle and perform the same activity. This allowed the players to rest while they are serving the balls so that they could perform at peak fitness when it was their turn to be inside the circle.

Windows drills can easily be adapted to any age group and are suitable to almost all ball skills. The size of the circle depended upon the number of players involved, ages, and the type of activity performed as well as the players’ proficiency.

The term “windows” applies to the open spacing between the cones which served as the “windows” where the server stands. Most of the exercises specifically referred to by the instructors as “windows” exercises were passing and receiving drills.

TYPICAL WINDOWS DRILL:

The drills usually start with each of the players on the exterior with a ball. For example one would be a large circle (25 to 30 yards in diameter) with players on the outside of the circle with a ball and an equal number of players on the interior.

Players outside would toss a ball to a player inside the circle who would head it back. The interior player would then move and look for another outside (of the circle) player to toss them a ball.

These are continuous movement exercises. Most were similar where the player inside the circle had to perform some task (trap, pass, move, etc.) and then look for another outside person to pass to them.

POSSIBLE TASKS:

Defensive Headers – clearing headers – up and away
Attacking Headers – down at servers’ feet
Pass on ground from server – one touch back to server and then look for a different server. Do right foot only for one minute and left foot only for one minute.
Pass on ground from server – receiver makes first touch away from pressure and then finds another open player (one without a ball” on the outside of the circle.
Chest traps
Inside of foot volley back to server – often used on throw-ins to drop ball back to thrower – You can have the server use throw-in technique to serve the ball. That will require a larger circle.
Volleys on laces back to server – use proper shooting technique

There are many more tasks that can be used.

COACHING POINTS:

Keep head up – the number of bodies inside the circle requires the players keep their heads up to avoid collision and, in some cases, to be sure that they are returning the ball to a player who does not already have a ball.
Change of speed – after performing the task and returning the ball to an outside player have the player move half-speed toward the opposite
Constant motion
Good Technique – sloppy technique means that the balls go in wrong directions and the servers spend too much time chasing balls. Since every player is supposed to bring their own ball there should be twice as many balls as needed. Have servers put the extra ball behind them so that they can use it rather than chase an errant pass.
Proper weight on passes – one problem I often see in these drills is soft “hospital” passes
Proper distance – passes should be at least five yards – preferably more like ten yards as you would want in games.
Good serves from servers – serves for headers should be underhand at proper height and speed, etc.
Movement of players to ball rather than waiting for ball to come to them.

ALTERNATIVE:

I remember one other drill a coach called a windows drill. He had a large circle lined with cones with spaces (windows) spaced periodically between some of the cones with four players inside and four outside the circle. There was also a cone in the very centre of the circle. In his drill it was both the exterior and interior players who had to move. The exterior players moved one direction (clockwise) until they came to an opening and there they passed to a player coming towards them from the cone. The interior player received the ball and returned the pass. The interior player then ran back touched the cone and moved in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) and received a pass from the next player at the next opening.

He had lots of variations in the drills, number of players, both inside and outside moving the same and opposite direction, traps, headers, passes etc. The main difference was that both inside and outside players had to move so there was no chance for rest. It got sloppy pretty quick with out of shape coaches.
I preferred the drills that allowed one group to rest and just serve balls while the others worked on tactics. They wee still very intensive but the rest allowed the exercises to stay at full speed without falling apart. Two or three minutes performing a single task (i.e. chest traps and returns) was enough to tire you out quickly. I loved the rest period when I just got to serve the ball.

A passing practice plan

While each child’s enjoyment still takes priority above anything during the coaching session and basic technique should be maintained, now introduce some technical and tactical elements. This is a good age to teach children basic skills of heading, shielding the ball and using the laces. Continue to help the children learn the rules of the game.

A coach should:
Be enthusiastic
Encourage children
Prepare a thoughtful progressive coaching session
Promote good sportsmanship between all players
Be a role model to the children

Priorities for a training session are:

Children should be working with their own soccer ball at the beginning of the session. As the session develops this requirement can be relaxed for more tactical practices. The same philosophy applies as with younger age groups: Many touches on the ball mean lots of learning.

Brief explanations and technical advice are used but still be careful not to lose the children’s interest.

A more tactical element is now introduced. This could include getting the players to spread out, using the width of the field instead of always playing down the middle and all players moving up and down the field as a team.

Continue to emphasize the correct technique.

Still discourage the use of the toe. Children should now be using the inside, outside, heel, laces and bottom of the foot.

End every session with a scrimmage, which should be about a third of the total sessions time. Coaches should continue to encourage players to spread out. When all the players bunch around the ball, make them freeze and ask them what they think about their position. Let them teach themselves. Repeat rules of the game during this time.

Every session should now follow a general pattern: warm up, unopposed practice, opposed practice, game related practice, scrimmage/game.

Fast Footwork Warm Up

Set out a square approximately 15 yards by 15 yards depending on the number of children. Players dribble around the square, moving into space and encouraged to keep their head up, no toes! Start with the inside of the foot, then the outside, bottom of the foot and laces. Incorporate turns during this warm up (coach demonstrates correct technique), starting with the basic hook turn and introduce a new turn each week.

Pinball

Set up a rectangle of cones 15 yards by 8 yards, depending on the ability of the children. Divide the children into two teams with each team standing outside the long side of the rectangle. Each child has a ball. A ball that is a different color (object ball) from all the rest is placed in the center of the area. Children should try to pass their ball to hit the object ball and knock it over their opponent’s line. Players may not stop the object ball with their feet; they can only pass their own ball into it. Play is continuous until the object ball has passed outside the area. If the object ball is knocked out the side the coach can pass the ball into the center again. Players may retrieve soccer balls from anywhere on their own side of the area. Balls can only be kicked from behind the end line. Soccer balls are to be passed using the inside of the foot only.

Keep Away

Set up an area of cones 10×10 yards for each group of 4 children with one soccer ball per group. Play 3 attackers against 1 defender (play 4 attackers against 1 defender with younger or less able children). The attackers must try to make 10 uninterrupted passes to score a goal. Defenders should try to intercept a pass and kick the ball out of the square to score a goal. The first pass is a free pass that can’t be intercepted. Play first to 3 goals then rotate defender.

Progression 1. Allow a maximum of 2 touches of the ball before a pass is made to another attacker. This will reduce any dribbling that may occur and requires swifter movement from those players without the ball.

Progression 2. Passes should now be made with the weaker foot.

Progression 3. Now make the square 20×20 yards and play 6 attackers against 2 defenders. Same rules apply and progression 1 and 2 can be added to this game if players are successful. To encourage players to spread out attackers can be made to run around a cone on the outside of the square after making a pass before they can rejoin the game.

Through The Gates (Dribbling)

Set out pairs of cones about 1 yard apart covering a total area approximately 20×20 yards. Each pair of cones represents a gate. Each child has a ball. Time how many gates the players can dribble through in 30 seconds. Go over coaching points such as a) soft touches on the ball when dribbling, b) head up, c) only go towards open gates. Repeat for another 30 seconds to look for improvement. Try a third time to see if players can make their best score.

Progression 1. Players can only dribble with the outside of their feet.

Progression 2. Players must dribble with their weaker foot only.

Progression 3. Players must do a trick as they go through the gate

Through The Gates (Passing)

Set out the cones as above. This time the children are divided into pairs with a ball between two. The player that begins with the soccer ball must dribble up to a gate then pass the ball along the ground to their partner. This player then dribbles the ball to another gate where they return the pass. Time how many gates the players can pass through in 30 seconds. Go over coaching points such as a) soft touches on the ball when dribbling, b) head up, c) only go towards open gates, d) make a simple push pass e) don’t kick the ball too hard or in the air. Repeat for another 30 seconds to look for improvement. Try a third time to see if players can make their best score.

Progression 1. Players can only dribble with the outside of their feet.

Progression 2. Players must dribble with their weaker foot only.

Small goal passing game

Two players stand either side of a small goal made with flat cones or poles.

Each player has one touch and must touch the ball once. The ball must pass through the small goal on the ground. Once the ball goes through the goal the opponents must play the ball back through the goal on the ground.

Each player gets one touch and must touch the ball. A team scores when their opponent misses the goal, they play the ball back directly, a player uses two touches or the ball stops in their opponents half of the field. Both teams must stay in their own half.

There are several soccer problems that the players have to solve.

What angle and distance should the second player be at to receive the first pass?
Where should the defending team play in anticipating the ball?
What is the best through pass when the opponents are deep? Close?

The soccer problems are elementary, passing, receiving, communicating and reading simple situations.

Slam!

No single game can improve kicking skills faster then slam. It is simply the enjoyment level that makes this game so successful. Here two players have put a small goal in front of a wall. Each player has three lives. The blue player plays the football into the goal so that it rebounds out. The orange player must play the ball back into the goal before it stops and then the blue player does the same. They play until one misses the goal, lets the ball stop, can’t play it first time or gets hit by his own rebound. That player loses a life. They play until one is out of lives. Variations, add a second touch, must use both feet or a different surface of the same foot, change the size or height of the goal, allow the ball to stop for young players, play three at a time in a rotation.

Technique. All kicking skills.

Insight. Each player must be aware of the position of the opponent. If he is far back, gently pass the ball so that he cannot get to it it time. If he is close to the goal slam it and make him chase. Read the angle that the ball will come out of the goal, get in position early.

Communication. In this game there is so much contact with the ball in a time restricted situation that the players will have to focus on concentrating and reading the opponents intentions.

Slam is not soccer. There is competition, offence and defence, soccer problems that have to be solved with TIC, a lot of repetitions with different angles, speeds and distances.

Two simple games that improve passing and receiving skills

Warm Up

Divide the team in two. Place players in a 20 x 20 yd grid without a ball. Place an equal number of players on outside of the grid each with a ball. Inside players move around the grid freely, receive a ball from an outside player and return it as quickly as they can. Switch positions after a while.

Progression

Return with one touch, then two touches,
Receive with outside of the foot, inside of the foot, left foot only…
Receive balls out of the air.
Receive, turn and find a different target

Coaching Points

Quality of first touch. Keep it outside your “footprints” so that it can be returned quickly.
Prepare the receiving surface as soon as possible.
Be first to the ball, get into the line of flight of the ball.
Make “eye contact” with the server.
Changes of speed and direction.
Do not run “across” the server, check back at an angle. This makes it easier to turn and look back over your shoulder.

The ladder relay

Divide the team into two or three groups depending upon how many players are at practice. Set up a “ladder” of cones as shown. Players pass and receive moving the football up the ladder. Last player in ladder dribbles ball to bottom and re-starts the passing. When the original bottom rung player gets back to the lowest rung the team “wins”.

Chaos in the circle

The following game is used as a warm-up by the U.S. Women’s National Team as a way to work trapping skills in a match related type of environment.

Four (4) players are inside a 15 yard diameter circle with the rest of the team outside. Four (4) of the outside players have a ball. The inside players have to run around within the circle and free themselves for a pass coming from the outside.

Initially let them just return the ball to the outside player and then move on to take another pass from another outside player. After they have become relatively proficient at trapping the ball have them trap it and perform a three touch move and then return it to another outside player.

The quick movements within the circle, the heads up required so that you don’t run into a teammate all help to simulate match type conditions.