Warm-Up (5 min): Pick Up Soccer
Activity 1 (10 min): Let’s Play Tag!
Activity 2 (10 min): Sharks & Minnows
Activity 3 (15 min): 1v1, 2 goal game
Activity 4 (15 min): Small Sided Games 4v4
Warm-Up (5 min): Pick Up Soccer
As players arrive, divide them up and let them play!
Activity 1 (10 min): Let’s Play Tag!
Setup: 1/2 of game field. All players start game without ball. Give a bright-color vest to the tagger(s) to hold in their hand. Start with 2 taggers. Coaches can play too.
Instructions: The tagger must throw the vest at another player. If the payer gets hit by the vest, then they become the new tagger. Play 2-3 rounds for 30-45 seconds each. (Between each round, ask players to demonstrate different ways to avoid being tagged.) Be tricky!
1. Repeat opening, except players now play with a soccer ball at their feet at all times. Cannot leave ball to tag or avoid being tagged. Play 2 or 3 rounds. (Between each round, ask players different ways to avoid being tagged.) Offer suggestions to players on how to avoid getting tagged.
Coaching Points: Keep ball under control. Turn away from pressure. Be creative. Find the space.
Activity 2 (10 min): Sharks & Minnows
Setup: 1/2 of game field. Two goals on the sides.
Instructions: All players have a ball except for 1 shark. Coach is also a shark to start. Minnows start at one end of the grid. Sharks on the opposite line. Minnows try to cross to the other side without losing possession of their ball. The sharks defend their area by trying to steal the minnows’ ball. Once a ball is stolen, the sharks must dribble it into one of the goals. If a minnow looses ball, they can try to steal it back from the shark before it gets into the goal. Minnows who successfully dribble across the sharks’s line go
back for round two. Each minnow who loses their ball will join the sharks. Last minnow with a ball is the winner. Play two or three rounds.
Coaching points: Keep soccer ball close and under control. Don’t leave ball to avoid being caught by a
shark. Players must turn away from pressure into space. Sharks do not just kick ball away, they control it!
Activity 3 (15 min): 1v1, 2 goal game
Setup: 10x15 grid with two small goals on each end line. 1/2 players on each sideline. Two playing, others resting. Coach has all soccer balls on the side.
Instructions: Coach starts play by distributing ball to attacker on opposite side of grid. Attacker has option to attack either goal and can constantly change direction of play/attack. Play continues until goal is scored by either player or goes out of bounds. Rotate sides.
Coaching points: Turning away from pressure. Attack space.
Activity 4 (15 min): Small Sided Games 4v4
Setup: Entire soccer field, divide players up to form 2 or 3 teams of 4
Instructions: Rotate players/teams out every few minutes
Coaching Points: Encourage players to turn away from pressure while controlling the ball.