This is the week #1 curriculum that focuses our players on developing their dribbling skills and their ability to use skills to beat defenders and/or get out of trouble.

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by a fun 1v1 game that allows all players to skills move to change direction, fake out opponents and score points through gates.

Finally, we move back to a scrimmage with bigger numbers, but this time we impose a condition to require players to use skills in a game scrimmage format.  We do this to help the kids transition from using skills in drills to skills in scrimmages, and the ultimate object to get them using them on game days!

This is the week #2 curriculum that again focuses our players on developing their dribbling skills and their ability to use skills to beat defenders 1v1

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by a fun 1v1 game that allows all players to try to beat an opponent 1v1 and then go to goal against a goalkeeper

Finally, we move back to a scrimmage with bigger numbers, but this time we impose a condition for players to be passers or dribblers.  This isolates our focus on each player having the chance to be "the dribbler" - all players should have the opportunity!

This is the week #3  curriculum focuses on small group passing.

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by a fun 3v1, 4v2, or 5v3 game (depending on your numbers)  that allows all players to be involved at all times.  This is a possession game to keep the ball away from defenders.

Finally, we play a normal scrimmage game, but with the addition of some extra soccer balls that are placed on cones that are "land mines".  Players have to avoid these when passing or dribbling.  Knocking one over gives a goal to the OTHER team.   This game encourages players to look where they are going, get their heads up to look for a safe pass, and for teammates off the ball to move so that they are in a safe passing lane.

This is the week #4 curriculum focuses on turning, skills and transition

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by a fun 1v1 game that requires the dribbler to use - skills, and speed into space to allow them to score.  The learning moment is to learn where and how to turn, and at the same time protect the ball from the opponent!

Finally,  we play a 2v1 or 2v2 game called "Turn & Defend".  As the name indicates, players attack first, and after their turn is over they have to transition to defending.  On attack the learning moment is, do I go on my own with skills, or use my friend with a pass?  Right choice, right time.

This week's #5 curriculum focuses on dribbling

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by 1v1 dribbling a gate and scoring a goal.  Any combination.  This is a great game for dribbling, turning, and changes of speed.

 No conditions on the scrimmage this week.  Straight-up scrimmage to finish!

This is the week #6  curriculum focuses on small group passing.

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by a fun 3v1, 4v2 or 5v3 game (depending on your numbers)  that allows all players to be involved at all times.  This is a possession game to keep the ball away from defenders.

Finally, we play a normal scrimmage game, but with the addition of some extra soccer balls that are placed on cones that are "land mines".  Players have to avoid these when passing or dribbling.  Knocking one over gives a goal to the OTHER team.   This game encourages players to look where they are going, get their heads up to look for a safe pass, and for teammates off the ball to move so that they are in a safe passing lane.

This is the week #7 curriculum focuses on shooting.

We start with a small-sided scrimmage as players arrive to get them playing, warmed up, and getting touches on the ball.

Followed by some games focusing on shooting and scoring goals.  On Deck Shooting allows all players to shoot and go in goal in a fast-paced, quick-moving game.  You do need 10+ players to make this work, so you might have to merge with another team to play this, depending on how many players are at practice.

Risky Business allows players to be in charge - do they want to dribble on their own, or go with a friend(s)  The coach's job - is to KEEP THE SCORE!

This is the week #8 curriculum focuses on dribbling.

The WAR dribbling game takes a bit of time to set up, but use 2 zones not 3 as in this diagram.
With 2 zones you will need 9+ players to make it work.  The game is set up in zones but focuses on 1v1 dribbling.  All players get lots of opportunities to dribble.

If players are not having dribbling success it will be down to one of these things:
a) SKILLS - are they doing the right skill to space, or dribbling into the opponent?
b) SPEED - are they using a change of speed after the skill?
c) SPACE - are they getting to open space, or in the direction of other players?

The Change game allows all players to have a chance on the field or in goal as a keeper.
This game allows you to match up and balance teams into 2 groups, so think a little bit about team strength.