Activity 1 (10 min): Musical Soccer
Activity 2 (15 min): Treasure Hunt
Activity 3 (15 min): 1v1 to Goal
Activity 4 (15 min): Small-Sided Games 4v4
Activity 1 (10 min): Musical Soccer
Setup: 10x10 yard grid. All players have a soccer ball.
Instructions: Players are dribbling soccer ball around area. Coach says “switch”, all players leave their soccer ball and find a different one. Once they get a new ball they continue to dribble. Vary the frequency of saying switch. Encourage players to find a new ball as fast as possible.
1. After a few rounds, when switch is called, the coach will then grab and remove 1 ball from play. One
player will be without a ball. That player will then try to steal a ball from a player with a ball.
2. When “switch” is called out, the coach will remove 1 or 2 balls from play. Several players will not have
balls, they must try to steal one from the other players. On last round, players with a ball win.
Coaching Points: Keep the ball close and away from other players. Don’t let them get it.
Water Break (2-3 min)
Activity 2 (15 min): Treasure Hunt
Setup: Within game field. Scatter cones around the field. All players start with their soccer ball.
Instructions: Coach tells players they are all pirates hunting for lost treasure sailing their ship (soccer ball). What do pirates say? The cones are gold coins. The pirates should try to pick up the coins. They can only be picked up if they have their soccer ball with them. The pirate with the most coins at the end is the richest pirate in the ocean.
1. Play several rounds. In between rounds ask the players questions like…How can you get more treasure? Can you get treasure if you don’t have your ball?
2. Use different color cones. Certain colors are worth more. Who can get the most valuable coins?
3. Select 1 player to be the pirate hunter. There job is to steal the pirate ship (soccer ball) from the pirates.
Coaching points: Use guided discovery questions and encourage the kids to use their imagination.
Water Break (2-3 min)
Activity 3 (15 min): 1v1 to Goal
Setup: Within game field. Two small goals on each end. Divide players up to form 2 teams an assign a goal and direction for their team. Play 1v1.
Instructions: The coach has all soccer balls on the half line on the side. Players are on each side of the coach ready to play. When the coach plays a ball on the field, the first player in each line must run and touch his goal (defending goal) and then get possession of ball and try to score.
1. Continuous play. Always keep a group playing 1v1. Players must be ready to play.
2. Play several minutes, then have multiple 1v1 groups playing. Each group of 1v1 has their own ball.
Coaching points: Have fun and try to keep the kids on the lines ready to play when it is there turn. Play
quickly but give them time to rest between turns. Encourage the players to control their ball.
Water Break (2-3 min)
Activity 4 (15 min): Small-Sided Games 4v4
Setup: Entire soccer field, divide players up to form teams of 4.
Instructions: Coach tells players which direction the are going and which goal they are trying to score on.
Play 4v4 soccer. No goal keepers, not throw-ins, no keeping score. Keep the ball in play with quick restarts. Limit instruction to players but always give lots of praise for good attempts to dribble and control the ball.
Coaching Points: Let the kids PLAY and have FUN!