Ball skills, dribbling and introduction to turns
1. Warm-up (10 mins)
Game name:Body Breaks
Activity description - The players all dribble within Soccer Island, 30x20 yard area. When the coach calls out a part of the body the players need to stop the ball and put that part of the body onto the ball e.g. foot, knee, nose etc.
You can add into the equation the 1st player to put the body part on the ball earns a point. Start off with one body part then you can add in two, three, four parts at the same time.
Progressions
Add other/different commands/activities of your choosing.
COACHING POINTS
• Small touches on the ball
• Have players look for the biggest space to control the ball in – heads up!
• Call the ball the ‘carrot’ and all horses want to keep the carrot close to them
Stretching
2. Game/Exercise
Game name At the Races (15 mins)
Activity description– The coach introduces the players to three different horses. The 1st horse is the old Cart Horse donkey), 2nd horse is a Pony and the 3rd horse is a Race Horse. There are therefore three speeds that the players need to work at and the coach should continue to change the working speeds.
Introduce the Drag back Move. Introduce move at slowest speed first and progress to fastest speed)
Progressions Use your imagination to come up with your own activities and commands. Incorporate some of activities used in warm-up.
• Drag back – place the sole of the foot on the ball, drag the ball back behind you, turn to follow the ball
• Big Toe Little Toe – soft touch with the Big Toe, harder touch with the Little Toe. Same foot.
3. GAME EXERCISE
Stomp Stomp (15 mins)
– We have the coach, initially, as the catcher – Stomper. Before the game show all the players the Big Toe Little Toe move. If Stomper places their foot on top of a player’s ball then they must go to the side of the area and complete 5 Drag backs and 5 Big toe little toe. Stomper are only allowed to move at a slow walking pace.
Progression: If coach stomps on players ball then the player becomes an additional stomper until only 1 player remains.
4. End with Game (20 mins)
3 v 3 dual sided - split teams 3 player on the A field and 3 player on the B field. Subs sit in the middle of the fields. Parents sit on the outside of the fields. Coaches can be on the field encouraging players but please refrain from shouting instructions. Just let them play !
5. Don't forget the Team Cheer !
Potato Chip, Potato Chip, Munch, Munch, Munch, Who do we think is a very fine bunch ! HORNETS YEAH !
