Hey Coaches! The weather has finally turned in our favour and we are able to get on the field! I am excited for this season, and can’t wait to hang out with you on the field!
This is our first week, and the emphasis will be on getting to know your players, getting them moving, and just having fun! Do as many of these drills as you like, or tweak them in any way you think will work. I am also always on the field to help out and answer any questions.
As your team shows up give them a ball and have them play pass with each other, or with a parent.
Set up your grid with cones (roughly 15 yards by 15 yards should be good (to measure out a yard just take a big step, that will be roughly a yard, place cones every 5 yards), feel free to make it larger or smaller if you need.
When you change to a new drill, send the team for a REALLY quick water break (30 seconds) or have them working on their juggling, passing between each other, or be creative in how to keep them occupied. If you give them time to goof off, they will do just that and you will struggle to get their attention back.
For timing of each drill, if the kids love it, keep doing it. If they aren't getting it and you don't know what do to help them, either call me over, or feel free to move on to another drill. I would recommend no more than 10 minutes per drill.
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1. Stay in the box
Everyone has a ball. Have them run around inside the boundaries grid. Talk to them about how a soccer field has boundaries and you can’t go outside of them.
- As they get used to moving with the ball, have them pair up with a partner and play “follow the leader.” They both have balls, but one is the leader and the other followers. Switch after 30-60 seconds or as they get bored.
2. Sharks and Minnows
You are the shark, the players are the minnows. You attempt to hit the players with the ball. When you hit the player, they must lie down and another minnow must jump over them to get back into the game. If you have willing parents, they can also join in as a shark.
See the first minute of this video as a demonstration and for further explanation.
3. Soccer Islands
In your grid, make “islands” in each corner by using cones to mark out the “island” and make one circular island in the middle. Have the players start in the middle island, and number the 4 corner island 1-4, or give them names. Call out a number (or name) and have the kids run there. Once they get there, have them do a certain skill (toe taps, tic-tock, jump up as high as they can, lay down flat and get back up again, yell as loud as they can, etc… be creative. This is all about getting them to move).
See for a similar idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsof4AMWQRo&feature=plcp&context=C37ad33bUDOEgsToPDskJeYPYEAYx5iBYFKOJQf1mB
4. Clean Your Messy Room.
Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and split your team up into 2 "teams".
Line up soccer balls in the centre, in line with the cones.
When you say "Go!" players rush to the centre to kick balls into the other half of the grid; they must try to keep the balls (laundry? toys?) out of their "room" by continuing to kick them into the other team's half.
When coach say "Stop!" players freeze and count up the balls to see who wins (least amount of balls/laundry/toys in grid wins).
Play again!
5. Steal the Bacon
In your grid, place the balls in the middle in a straight line. Spit your team into 2 groups and have them line up on either end.
When you say “GO” the goal is to run to the middle, and get a ball. They must DRIBBLE the ball back to their end, once all the balls are at both ends, the game is over.
- Change things up by having the players start with laying down, and getting up when you say go or sitting facing the opposite direction. This will work on their coordination and ability to get up quickly.
- Another way to change it up is to number the players (1 to ?) and call out numbers, I suggest calling out 2 numbers at a time. Only these number can go and get a ball. Once each number has gotten a ball, call out another number. Keep going until all balls are gone
Game
For the last 10-15 minutes of the practice have a mini game within your own team. Parents can join in as well. If the ball goes out, just kick a new ball back in. Throw-ins will be introduced later in the season. We want players to have as many touches on the ball during the game, so you could introduce a second ball if you feel this would help.
