U5 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! All of the information for the Wrap Up Should be out today.

1. Colour dribbling and Stopping

This is a variation of Red Light/Green Light sort of combined with simon says. Start by having players dribble in in your area. Red Light means Stop, Green Light go.

As they get warmed up with this,  have them stop their balls with various parts of the body as identified by colors. Example - red is right hand, blue is left foot, rainbow is forehead, etc. I suggest start by just saying the body part first, and then as they get the hang of it assign a colour to that body part. This is a great game for them as it changes how they think about the movements of their body. They have to process what they are doing, which down the road will help them focus more in the game. As we change how our brains associate movement, the less we actually end up thinking about it when it becomes a normal thing (it becomes a “muscle memory” movement).

2. Pirate Ship

Use your cones to make a circle in one corner. This will be the “Pirate Ship”. In the opposite corner place anything you can (other cones, balls, pinnies, jackets, whatever you have) This is the treasure the players (I mean pirates…) will be stealing.

When you say go, they start in their ship and run to the treasure and can bring back ONE item at a time.

Start without using balls and just let them run. If they are too good, feel free to have them dribble the balls, but this may be a stretch.

3. Number Dribbling

Have players jog with a ball at their feet in the same direction. When you call a number, that many players must come together with balls touching each other. Example: the call is three, players must get in groups of 3. Those players unable to form a unit of three do three push-ups or star jumps or…? Be creative :)

4. Trap, Dribble, Score

Make a channel of cones with the net at the end. Players line-up opposite the net. You will pass the ball in, and the player must take a good first touch, dribble the ball towards the net, and shoot. Once they shoot they run back to the end of the line around the outside of the cones (to stay out of the way.

4.2

Once they get the hang of trapping, dribbling, and shooting, add some cones in the middle to create a slalom course they must dribble through.

5. Possession

Split your team into 2 teams and simply have them play keep away. Make sure they are moving and passing.

One way you can motivate them without having a net is to have a coach (or parent) stand at each end (where the goal would be) and the point is to pass the ball to the coach (or parent). Once the coach receives it, they must pass the ball back to the team they got it from (1 coach per team standing opposite each other).

U4 Week 7

Hey Coaches!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost done the season! We have this week, the Wrap-up on Saturday, and then our final week next week. Thank-you for all of your hard work! All of the information for the Wrap Up Should be out today.

1.  Lights

• Line players up on one side. You are on the opposite sideline. When you say a light they will start running. Remember to encourage them to keep the ball close (not kicking it far away).
• Game: Call out a color light
•  Green light: they run and dribble towards you
•  Yellow light: they walk and dribble towards you
•  Red light: they stop the ball with the bottom of their foot – the sooner the better
•  Disco light: they stop and give you their best dance moves

2.  Spiderman

Players all have a ball. Coach (or parents) holds a pinnie, this will be your “web”. Players run around in your area trying to keep their ball safe from your web. You chase after them and try to throw your net (pinnie) on their ball. If you catch their ball, they are frozen and another play must come and touch the caught ball with their own ball.

3. Pirate Ship

Use your cones to make a circle in one corner. This will be the “Pirate Ship”. In the opposite corner place anything you can (other cones, balls, pinnies, jackets, whatever you have) This is the treasure the players (I mean pirates…) will be stealing.

When you say go, they start in their ship and run to the treasure and can bring back ONE item at a time.

Start without using balls and just let them run. If they are too good, feel free to have them dribble the balls, but this may be a stretch.

4. 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. Start with having them pick the balls up with their hands and carry the ball back to their end. Once they get the hang of it, get them to 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

5. Musical Soccer Balls

Use cones to make a circle large enough for your kids to run around. Place the soccer balls in the middle of the circle and make sure you have one less soccer ball than you have players. The players start on the outside of the circle and they are not allowed to go into the circle until the whistle blows. On the whistle, the players can sprint to the soccer balls. Because there is one less soccer ball, one player will be left without a ball. The player without the ball is then removed from the game. Every round you will need to remove one soccer ball.

U13 Week 6

Hey Coaches! Thank-you for letting me spend time with your teams last week and lead the session. I really appreciate all of the help that you gave me, as well for supporting your teams. If you have any questions on the drills, on my coaching style, or anything to do with coaching and soccer in general, please feel free to talk to me :) I am here to help enable you in any way that I can. I want to see you succeed as a coach and am always willing to help out.

Today we are working on using the width of the field. We have touched on this a couple of times, but will focus more on it this week. In watching your games I have seen moments of teams using the entire field, but also many times that we have bunched up and played what I call “mob soccer.” The soccer field is large, and there is always tons of space. We need to teach our teams how to utilize that space.

Start off with your normal warm-up. Make sure they get moving, get lots of the touches on the ball, and stretch (both dynamic and static stretching)

1. Extra wide two goal game

Set up a field that is 30-40 yards wide and ~20 yards long. Make four small goals,  using cones, in each corner. Make two teams and tell them they score goals by scoring into the two goals opposite them and defend the two at their end. Remind them that if they go towards one goal and find the other team all drawn to defending it they can switch play across the field and attack the other goal.

Change it up by saying that instead of shooting into the net, you can only score by dribbling the ball through the net and stopping it on (or near) the goal line. This will force them to really use the width.

Change it again by making the players pass the ball through the net to another play (one player must run ahead and get on the other side of the net to receive a pass in order to score).

2. Switching Play

Using the same playing field as the first game (Ignoring the nets in the corners), put 2 players on the outside of the grid (see below), and the remaining in the middle. Depending on the number of players, try and have a 3 vs. 2  or 2 vs 1 or something similar (one team with an extra player).

The goal of the team with more players is to pass the ball to the players on the outside, recieve it back from them, and then switch the play across to the other side and pass to that player who is on the outside. Each time they get the ball successfully to BOTH outside players, they get a point.

Players on outside can move up and down the line. Encourage as much movement as possible, and to play the ball quickly. Catch the defenders off guard.

Switch attackers/defenders/outside players.

3. Channel Game

Use same playing field as before, but add in channels on the sides (about 5 yards wide)(see below).

On each end, make a net with cones, use the nets on the field, or put a ball on top of a cone to act as the “goal”

Split team into 2 teams, 1 with pinnies.

Before a team can score, they must have one player receive a pass while in the channel and pass it back out of the channel. There are no defenders in the channels. This is to help the team use the width of the field rather than just stay in the middle of the field. Extra points if they score off of a direct cross that results in the goal.

• Change things up by making them pass into and out of each channel, or make every player have to touch the ball before the team can score.

If you have time at the end, feel free to do a scrimmage. But when making your field, make it wide and short. This will force your team to use the width. Something like 30longx25wide

U10 Week 6

Hey Coaches!

This week we will be working on possession and being a team. Encourage your players to use the width of the field, always have their head up, and to communicate (talk) to let their teammates know where they are and that they are open.

Start with your regular warmup. It is important (especially if it is warm) that we warm-up properly. As your players arrive, get them passing the ball to each other or working on their juggling.

1. Avoid The Collision:

See image below for drill.

• When players meet in the middle and avoid each other, have each player move to the right. Try making a move (cut the ball outside, spin around, step over, etc..). Tell them what direction to go so they don’t collide.

* Coaching Point: Players should always have their head up. As soon as the receive the ball they should have their head up so that they can see where they are going, where the defender is, and where their team is. Players must always be looking up. You can see the ball from the bottom of your eyes (peripheral vision)

2. Outside Posession

Make a grid 15x15 (or larger if you need). On the outside, make channels on every side, 1-2 yards deep running the entire width of the grid (see image below).

Count how many players you have, if you have 6, have 2 players inside and 4 on the outside (on each side). If you have more, add them where you can, but make sure there are more players outside then inside. Try putting 2 players on one side on the outside.

The goal is for the players outside to keep possession by passing the ball. The players inside must try and win the ball. Players inside must not enter outside players areas. Make sure the players outside are not standing in one spot. They should be moving along the sides to find an open space to receive the pass.

As they get the hang of passing, put a time limit on how long they have until they must pass (something like 3 seconds) or a touch limit (can only take 2 or 3 touches). This will force them to move the ball quicker and speed up their thinking.

*Coaching point: Before a player receive a pass, they should already know where their next pass is going. Not just in this drill, but any time they receive a pass. This is done by knowing where you players are, communication, and positioning.  

3. Through the Middle

See image below. Make your area either a square for circle. Place 4 cones in the middle. This is the starting point.

Split teams into 2 groups. One will work inside while the others are outside.

Players on the inside start in the middle square, and then must run out and receive a pass from a player on the outside. They must then pass the ball back, and run back through the middle square (they must always return to the middle).

See who can get 30 passes first (or whatever number your decide on :)  )

Change the groups after everyone has made that many passes.

4. Keep Away

Create smaller grids, probably 10x10 would be good, but feel free to make them bigger. In groups of three, play 1 v. 2.  Start with the 2 plays having a ball, the other player tries to get the ball. The one who has the ball must dribble and keep it. Those who don’t have a ball try to get one. Once they get the hang of it, change it that only 1 players has a ball, and the other 2 are trying to get it.

5. Possession Game

Regular scrimmage game, but no nets (at least to start). The goal is to make passes and keep possession.

• Start with a goal being 5 passes
• Next every player on the team must receive the ball
• Next is 10 passes
• Next is..? Get creative!

We want to see our players working as a team, not just one “superstar”. Games are won and lost as a team.

Towards the end of your session, feel free to add in some nets and just simply let them play, but only if they are working as a team and making passes.

U8 Week 6

Hey Coaches!

This week we will be working on possession and being a team. Encourage your players to use the width of the field, always have their head up, and to communicate (talk) to let their teammates know where they are and that they are open.

Start with your regular warmup. It is important (especially if it is warm) that we warm-up properly. As your players arrive, get them passing the ball to each other or working on their juggling.

1. Avoid The Collision:

See image below for drill.

• When players meet in the middle and avoid each other, have each player move to the right. Try making a move (cut the ball outside, spin around, step over, etc..). Tell them what direction to go so they don’t collide.

* Coaching Point: Players should always have their head up. As soon as the receive the ball they should have their head up so that they can see where they are going, where the defender is, and where their team is. Players must always be looking up. You can see the ball from the bottom of your eyes (peripheral vision)

2. Outside Posession

Make a grid 15x15 (or larger if you need). On the outside, make channels on every side, 1-2 yards deep running the entire width of the grid (see image below).

Count how many players you have, if you have 6, have 2 players inside and 4 on the outside (on each side). If you have more, add them where you can, but make sure there are more players outside then inside. Try putting 2 players on one side on the outside.

The goal is for the players outside to keep possession by passing the ball. The players inside must try and win the ball. Players inside must not enter outside players areas. Make sure the players outside are not standing in one spot. They should be moving along the sides to find an open space to receive the pass.

As they get the hang of passing, put a time limit on how long they have until they must pass (something like 3 seconds) or a touch limit (can only take 2 or 3 touches). This will force them to move the ball quicker and speed up their thinking.

*Coaching point: Before a player receive a pass, they should already know where their next pass is going. Not just in this drill, but any time they receive a pass. This is done by knowing where you players are, communication, and positioning.  

3. Through the Middle

See image below. Make your area either a square for circle. Place 4 cones in the middle. This is the starting point.

Split teams into 2 groups. One will work inside while the others are outside.

Players on the inside start in the middle square, and then must run out and receive a pass from a player on the outside. They must then pass the ball back, and run back through the middle square (they must always return to the middle).

See who can get 30 passes first (or whatever number your decide on :)  )

Change the groups after everyone has made that many passes.

4. Keep Away

Create smaller grids, probably 10x10 would be good, but feel free to make them bigger. In groups of three, play 1 v. 2.  Start with the 2 plays having a ball, the other player tries to get the ball. The one who has the ball must dribble and keep it. Those who don’t have a ball try to get one. Once they get the hang of it, change it that only 1 players has a ball, and the other 2 are trying to get it.

5. Possession Game

Regular scrimmage game, but no nets (at least to start). The goal is to make passes and keep possession.

• Start with a goal being 5 passes
• Next every player on the team must receive the ball
• Next is 10 passes
• Next is..? Get creative!

We want to see our players working as a team, not just one “superstar”. Games are won and lost as a team.

Towards the end of your session, feel free to add in some nets and just simply let them play, but only if they are working as a team and making passes.

U6 Week 6

Hi Coaches! We are into week 6 and it has been great getting out on the field with all of you and seeing you interact with your teams. I say this almost every week, but I feel it’s something that can’t be said enough: We are here to always encourage! Kids love it when we respond positively to them and encourage them in what they are doing. Our players are young and with that they can find a lot of things challenging and frustrating, but when we take them time to acknowledge what they are doing well and encourage them, they will fall in love with the game of Soccer.

According to the weather forecast, it is supposed to be a nice and warm day (finally on a wednesday!). It may be a good idea to email your parents and remind them to make sure their kids have water.

Tonight we will be focusing on dribbling and lots of touches on the ball. As I’ve been watching your team I have been impressed in how well they move the ball (passing the ball up the field) at this age. Many of your players are grasping this idea far before they normally do.

1. Colour dribbling and Stopping

This is a variation of Red Light/Green Light. Start by having players dribble in in your area. Red Light means Stop, Green Light go.

As they get warmed up with this,  have them stop their balls with various parts of the body as identified by colors. Example - red is right hand, blue is left foot, rainbow is forehead, etc. I suggest start by just saying the body part first, and then as they get the hang of it assign a colour to that body part. This is a great game for them as it changes how they think about the movements of their body. They have to process what they are doing, which down the road will help them focus more in the game. As we change how our brains associate movement, the less we actually end up thinking about it when it becomes a normal thing (it becomes a “muscle memory” movement).

2. Number Dribbling

Have players jog with a ball at their feet in the same direction. When you call a number, that many players must come together with balls touching each other. Example: the call is three, players must get in groups of 3. Those players unable to form a unit of three do three push-ups or star jumps or…? Be creative :)

3. Keep Away

Create smaller grids, probably 10x10 would be good, but feel free to make them bigger. In groups of three, play 1 v. 2.  Start with the 2 plays having a ball, the other player tries to get the ball. The one who has the ball must dribble and keep it. Those who don’t have a ball try to get one. Once they get the hang of it, change it that only 1 players has a ball, and the other 2 are trying to get it.

4. Turn and Burn- dribbling with speed

We did this a couple weeks ago, but is a good one to continue out dribbling, now introduce turning and accelerating.

Divide players into two teams – put them in different colored pinnies One team starts on one end of the grid with a ball each. Objective is for players with the ball to dribble towards the players without, who remain stationary. The coach shouts “Turn” and the players with the ball stop, turn and try to dribble back to their starting line. When the players without the ball here the coach shout “Turn” the players without the ball can release and try and steal the balls of the opposing team before they get back over the safe line. Take turns having both teams being attackers/defenders. Do not eliminate players who lose their ball. Let them have another go.

Variations: Introduce specific turns: big toe turn, little toe turn, pull back, etc.

5. Possession

Split your team into 2 teams and simply have them play keep away. Make sure they are moving and passing.

One way you can motivate them without having a net is to have a coach (or parent) stand at each end (where the goal would be) and the point is to pass the ball to the coach (or parent). Once the coach receives it, they must pass the ball back to the team they got it from (1 coach per team standing opposite each other).

Game Time

The horn will go at 5:35 to signal you to get ready for your game. The game will start at 5:40. If you are the first team listed you are the home team. The away team (second team) will come to you. Remember, the game is about getting lots of touches on the ball. Feel free to add a second ball. Score doesn’t count at all, we want to see lots of touches on the ball.

Here is the game schedule:

https://rysacoachingcorner.blogspot.ca/2017/05/u4-u5-u6-schedules.html

U5 Week 6

Hi Coaches! We are into week 6 and it has been great getting out on the field with all of you and seeing you interact with your teams. I say this almost every week, but I feel it’s something that can’t be said enough: We are here to always encourage! Kids love it when we respond positively to them and encourage them in what they are doing. Our players are young and with that they can find a lot of things challenging and frustrating, but when we take them time to acknowledge what they are doing well and encourage them, they will fall in love with the game of Soccer.

According to the weather forecast, it is supposed to be a nice and warm day (finally on a wednesday!). It may be a good idea to email your parents and remind them to make sure their kids have water.

1. WARM UP - Coach Says

Played like Simon Says. Anything that gets those little guys moving goes. Use the whole body. Start without soccer balls for movement and stretches.  Jog around the area, one foot hopping on each foot, high knees, skipping, kick your butt, etc.  See  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsCLLgkQgNc

2. 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

3. Pac Man (aka Kick the Coach; kids LOVE this game!)

First, demonstrate what a proper pass looks like:

-planting/non kicking foot next to ball, pointing at target

-strike ball with side of foot

-firm ankle

-follow through to target

Have players practice this in pairs so that you can give individual feedback to each player.  Once you have gone through each player, they can then play the game.

All players have a ball and are dribbling in the grid and trying to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).

Work on good passing technique. You may have to create a zone for you that the kids can't enter (small square in middle of grid and then move to no square and everyone moving).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9AJNANVrRA

This video demos passing technique with cues, but don't spend as much time talking as this coach does!

4. Clean Your Messy Room.

Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and split your group 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!

http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/backyard-soccer.html

5. Soccer Bowling

If you need another game to fill some time, you could use this one...

The name is as it suggests and the video makes it self-explanatory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGyrJGmJNk&feature=relmfu

6. Balls in the bag

This is really just a way to clean up before the game, but we might as well have fun! Make sure everyone has a ball, and hold your ball bag open on the ground. Have them shoot their ball into the bag. Once all the balls are in, say something like, “what’s that? Oh no! There’s a hole in the bag!” and dumb all the balls out. Do it again, but maybe move the bag a little, or have them stand further back.

Game Time

The horn will go at 4:30 to signal you to get ready for your game. The game will start at 4:35. If you are the first team listed you are the home team. The away team (second team) will come to you. Remember, the game is about getting lots of touches on the ball. Feel free to add a second ball. Score doesn’t count at all, we want to see lots of touches on the ball.

Here is the game schedule:

https://rysacoachingcorner.blogspot.ca/2017/05/u4-u5-u6-schedules.html