Coach is a Cone. be done in this round of the game.

Transcription

1 Coach is a Cone Purpose To improve dribbling move technique Theme(s) Ball Mastery # of Players All - in groups of 4 Equipment 1 ball per player Time 5 minutes This is game is excellent for allowing you to stress the technical aspects of the selected dribbling moves. It allows you to force players to do the dribbling moves with both feet in a simple environment where they can experience success. Break up the players into groups of four or less. Each group should form a line facing their "Coach/Cone". Lines should be about 10 yards from their coach/cone. Select the dribbling move to be done in this round of the game. When you say "Go!" the first players in each line dribble at the coach and do the selected dribbling move. If the move is a 180 turn move, players will do the move, turn, and dribble back to the end of the line. If the move is a get past you move, players will do the move, pass the coach and start a new line 10 yards on the other side of the coach/cone. Once the first player has gone, the second player goes, etc. If a player does the move successfully, his/her team gets one point. Play continues in a round-robin fashion until one team gets to 10 points. The losing teams have to do a crazy task that the coach chooses. Start the next round with a new dribbling move or the same dribbling move using the other foot. TECHNICAL POINTS T1: As cones, you should be the worst defenders ever in the game of soccer. When players are trying a new move, you should simply stand still. As they progress, you take their fake to help them see the picture. T2: Keep the players going as quickly as possible so there is very little waiting in line. T3: Once players have started having success with a move, make them do the move at match speed and make sure they are accelerating away after they beat the coach.

2 Knock Off Purpose To train changing of direction while dribbling and the concept of space Themes Ball Mastery # of Players All - in pairs with 3 pairs at each field Equipment 5 or 6 balls per field, 2 disc cones per field Time 5-10 minutes This great 1v1 game trains players to use feints and fakes and to recognize open space. It is hard work so you should have one or two extra pairs waiting to go so that players can get a proper rest period. Set up each field by placing two disc cones 20 yards apart. Place a ball on top of each cone. Divide the players into two groups per field- A and B. Line the groups up midway between the cones with about 10 yards between the groups. The imaginary line between the groups should be perpendicular to the imaginary line between the cones. Have the first player in group A pass the ball to first player in group B. The player from group B receives the ball and the 1v1 game is on. To a goal, either player needs to knock either ball cone. The player should be within a couple of of the cone before trying to knock the ball off. goal is scored or the ball goes out of the area, next pair plays. Place a 30-second time limit on game. The second time through the groups, passers and receivers. First player to get three goals is the Knock off (or Queen)! the score off its yards If a the each switch King TECHNICAL POINTS T1: Changing directions quickly and accelerating away are the keys to this game. T2: Let them play then offer some advice and ask for their advice on how to score a goal. T3: This should be a very fast paced game. If the lines are too long, make 2 fields.

3 Criss-Cross Purpose To improve dribbling skill in crowded areas Themes Ball Mastery # of Players All - in 2 groups Equipment 1 ball per player, disc cones to set up a 15x15 area Time 2-3 minutes This frantic game uses players dribbling perpendicular to each other to simulate crowded dribbling spaces. It forces players to keep the ball close to their feet and to get their heads up. Using your disc cones, set up a 15x15-yard square. Spread one group along one side of the square. Along the adjacent side, spread out the second group. Each player should have a ball. Pick a 180 move to be used when players reach the edge of the square. When you say "Go!" players along both sides try to dribble to the side across from them. Once they reach the far side, they do their 180 turn and head back to their starting line. Players keep dribbling back and forth for one minute. If your ball is hit you get it and go back to your start line and go again. The player who makes the most crossings of the square is the winner of the game. You will need to stress to the players to keep the ball close to their feet so they don't collide with the other players. Since players in the different groups are dribbling perpendicular to one another, the area will be very congested requiring concentration and skill to be successful. When you first play the game, players will have a difficult time. However, after many repetitions, you'll be amazed at the progress made. VARIATIONS Play the first team to have all players make it up and back five times is the winner. Don't use balls and have players run back and forth across the square. This makes the game into a contest of mobility skills. Use a 10 X10 or even 5 X 5 area to make it really crowded! Use a 25x25-yard area. Now the emphasis will be on finding a space to dribble through and then accelerating into that space and across the square. This makes the game a mix between dribbling in congested spaces and speed dribbling. TECHNICAL POINTS T4: Keep stressing that players MUST keep the ball close to their feet. If they play it ahead of them 5-10 feet, the ball will almost certainly be hit by another player.

4 Cone Hunt Purpose To improve dribbling moves and basic dribbling skills Themes Ball Mastery # of Players All Equipment 1 ball per player, lots of disc cones (preferably different colors and/or different shapes) Time 5 minutes This silly game gets everyone on the move doing lots of dribbling and lots of dribbling moves. It's also a good game to play at clean up time if you have many cones on the field. Place cones randomly all over the field Each player needs a ball. Select the dribbling move (the "magic" move) must be done before a cone can be picked up. Also choose the number or of cones to be retrieved (one cone, cones, one orange and one yellow, one and one 9-inch, etc.). area. that type two disc When you say "Go!" everyone is off. Players must do the selected dribbling move before they pick up the specified cone(s). They bring the cone(s) back to you and start out again. The game continues until all of the cones are picked up. Have the players throw out all of the cones as far as they can to start the next game. Pick a new dribbling move and number or type of cones to be picked up. VARIATIONS One nice variation is to play Team Cone Hunt. Simply divide all of the players up into teams. Each team creates a pile of cones that they have collected. Team with the most wins!

5 Ball Wars Purpose To improve general dribbling skills Themes Ball Mastery, Mobility Skills # of Players All in 2 teams Equipment 1 ball or more for each pair of players, pinnies for one team, disc cones to mark off a yard circle. Time 5-10 minutes This is a fast and furious game that rewards aggressive play and good dribbling skills. Use your disc cones to mark a yard circle. Put all of the balls (one per pair of players) randomly in the circle. Have one team put on pinnies. Have all of the players start jogging around the circle. When you say "Ball Wars!" all of the players enter the circle and try to win a ball. Play continues for one minute with each team trying to control as many balls as possible. If balls are knocked out of the circle, you should put them back into the circle as play continues. At the end of the minute, the winning team is the team controlling the most number of balls. Have the players jog around the circle to start the next game. TECHNICAL POINTS T1: Remind players that they should not steal the ball away from their teammates!

6 Pac Man/Marbles Purpose To improve dribbling, striking the ball with the inside of your foot and agility Themes Ball Mastery, Striking the Ball, Mobility Skills # of Players All Equipment 1 ball per player, disc cones to mark off 20x25 yard area Time 5-10 minutes This is a good game because it involves passing the ball while on the move. Use your disc cones to mark an area approximately 20x25 yards. Everybody has a ball. When you say "Go!" everyone dribbles around trying to hit the other player s ball with their ball. When your ball is hit you do 5 toe taps and start dribbling again. TECHNICAL POINTS One game with right foot and one game with left foot and one game with either foot. You can add points for hitting other balls and play until 5. They have to count out loud.

7 Pong Purpose To train proper technique when striking the ball with any surface of the foot Themes Ball Mastery, Striking the Ball # of Players All - in pairs with one pair at each goal Equipment 1 ball per pair, 2 disc cones per goal Time 5 minutes This is a great game to focus solely on striking the ball with the one surface of the foot. It is a very controlled game so it is easy to have players work on striking the ball with either foot. A side benefit is that players learn receiving skills as well. Use your disc cones to set up one goal for each pair. Each goal should be two yards wide. There should be about five yards between each goal so the pairs won't be interfering with one another. Player A should be about three yards on one side of the goal; player B about three yards on the other side of the goal. Tell the players which foot they will be using for passing. When you say "Go!", players in each pair pass back and forth to each other using the inside of the chosen foot. If the ball goes through the goal, that pair is awarded one point. First pair to ten wins the game and jumps for joy! Have the pairs count each point aloud so you can tell how much progress they are making (this also puts pressure on the teams who are behind to catch up). The game should look like the old Pong arcade game. Switch the passing foot for the second game and play again. If the players are doing well, have them move back several steps and play again. VARIATIONS Instead of playing to ten, if a pair makes three consecutive successful passes through the goal, each player takes one big step backward. If they mess up, they have to start back at the beginning (three yards from the goal). See which pair can get the furthest apart. TECHNICAL POINTS T4: Play 2 touch. Have the players try to keep the ball moving. You don't want them to stop it and then pass it. T5: Keep this game short-5 minutes max or 3 times to 10 passes.

8 Many Gates Purpose To improve dribbling or passing skills Themes Ball Mastery/Passing # of Players All Equipment Dribbling 1 ball per player, 20 disc cones. Passing 1 ball per pair Time 5 minutes This is a good game to get many of touches on the ball or passes in a short period. A gate is created by placing a pair of cones two yards apart. Make 10 such gates in a 25x30-yard area. The gates should all be at different angles to one another. Have the players spread out within the area. disc When you say "Go!" the players try to dribble through as many gates as they can. You can go through a gate in either direction. You cannot go through the same gate twice in a row. Time the game for one minute and ask each player how many gates he/she went through. Play again for another minute to see if the players can beat their first score. VARIATIONS Passing-Partners, 1 ball per pair Game 1-pass to partner through a gate to score-right and left foot, specific surface. How many in a minute? Can you beat your score? How? Game 2-Double pass-pass back and forth one touch to score a goal. How many in a minute? Can you beat your score? How? Game 3-Many and 1. One partner gets as many touches as they want to take, the other partner only gets one. Goal is scored by passing through a gate to your 1 touch partner and getting it back outside of the goal. The one touch pass may not go through the goal! How many in a minute? Can you beat your score? How?

9 4v4 4 Big Goals Purpose To train changing of direction while dribbling, the concept of space and shooting Themes Ball Mastery, Striking the Ball, Mobility Skills # of Players 8 - in two teams of 4 Equipment 3+ balls, disc cones to lay out a 25x30 field, 8 corner flags, 4 pinneys Time minutes This game is the same as the 4v4 4 Goals game except the goals are bigger to put more emphasis on shooting. The game is played the same as the standard 4v4 game. Help the players see that when it is crowded they should go attack the other goal. Be patient and let them try to figure it out! Encourage players to shoot as soon as possible (shoot early). With such big goals the players should be able to shoot and score from a good distance. Coach should toss in a new ball after every goal! Pick a spot where different players get a chance High energy game-play 2 or 3 5 minute games with breaks VARIATIONS AT U10-Play with goalies. Try only using one goalie per team. That means the goalie has to defend two goals, which can lead to lots of fun (and some exercise for the goalie). It also provides another visual cue for players to change sides. U io games can be 10 minutes long and sometimes can restart from the endline or with a kickoff.

10 Under the Bridge Purpose To train proper technique when striking the ball with the inside of the foot Themes Striking the Ball # of Players All - in pairs plus parents for goals or in 3 s with just players Equipment 1 ball per pair Time 5 minutes This game is similar to Pong, but uses parents first then players as the goals. Using the inside of his/her foot, the player with the ball strikes the ball and to roll it between the goal's legs. First player to get ten goals is the winner. tries VARIATIONS Make groups of three players and have the third player be the goal between the two shooting players. Now, the game works on receiving as well and the players can shoot quicker. First person to miss becomes goal. Play to 10. TECHNICAL POINTS T6: Since this game is very controlled, it is a great game to work on both feet. First game is with the right foot, next game is with the left foot, and so on. T7: Stress to the players to keep the ball on the ground. Strike the middle of the ball! T8: Have the players count their goals aloud. That helps others try harder as they hear people getting close to ten.

11 Hospital Tag Purpose To improve dribbling skills while having lots of fun Themes Ball Mastery, Mobility Skills # of Players All Equipment 1 ball per player, disc cones to set up a 20x25 area Time 5-10 minutes This silly game is lots of fun to play and helps with dribbling. Few games are more fun for U6s or better for their confidence. Use your disc cones to set up a 20x25-yard area. Everyone has a ball and everyone is it. The coach should stand just outside the marked area in the "hospital". When you say "Go!" all players start dribbling around the marked area trying to avoid being tagged. If they are tagged they must keep one hand on the body part that was tagged. The player then has to continue dribbling around while keeping his/her hand on that tagged body part. If a player is tagged a second time he/she must keep his/her other hand on the second body part that was tagged. The player has to continue dribbling around while keeping his/her hands on the two body parts that were tagged. If a player is tagged a third time, he/she must dribble over to the hospital area (still holding the first two tagged body parts). You are the doctor and have to give them some medicine to get better-like 5 toe taps. Once a player has been made good as new, he/she returns to the game and starts dribbling and tagging again. VARIATIONS Make the game into a mobility skills game by not using any soccer balls at all. You can choose to have one or two taggers or just let everyone be a tagger. TECHNICAL POINTS Make the area smaller/larger to make the game more difficult/easier.

12 Around the Cones Purpose To improve dribbling at speed in a straight line Themes Ball Mastery, Mobility Skills # of Players All - in relay teams with 3 or 4 players per team Equipment 1 ball per relay team; 4 disc cones per team Time 2 minutes Relays are a very simple game to use to train dribbling at speed. The competitive nature of relays always means players will give a good effort. Around the Cones is a very simple relay with easy setup and few rules to learn. Relay teams should have no more than three or four players so that players do not get bored waiting. You can also have everyone go at once! Set up the relay by laying disc cones in front of each relay team at the following distances: 0 yards (the starting line), 5 yards, 10 yards and 15 yards. out When the relay is started, the first player from each relay dribbles around the 5-yard cone and then passes to the second player. The second player dribbles around the 5-yard cone and then passes to the third player. When the ball is passed to the first player, the first player then dribbles around the 10-yard cone and passes the ball to the second player. When the ball is passed to the first player again, the first player dribbles around the 15-yard cone and passes to the second player. The relay is done when the last player dribbles around the 15-yard cone and dribbles back across the starting line. VARIATIONS Instead of just dribbling through the cones, have the players all dribble out and around the cones and pick up each one they dribble around. Throw the cones all over and have two or 3 teams. Count the cones each team gets and cheer for every amount You can have players run forward, backward, shuffle, etc. - whatever mobility skill(s) you would like to train as part of a relay. Move players around into relay teams that are equal. After a few tries at this have the players pass it into a cone square after they come out of the cones and have the next player get the ball in the square and go through the course.

13 Dogs 'n Rabbits Purpose To improve dribbling at speed in a straight line, improve running forward form Themes Ball Mastery, Mobility Skills # of Players All - in pairs with 3 pairs at each course Equipment 1 ball per pair, 3 disc cones per course Time 5-10 minutes In this game, the chaser (the dog) tries to run down and tag the dribbler (the rabbit) before the dribbler can reach the finish line. Set up each course by laying out disc cones at the following distances: 0 yards, 5 yards and 30 yards. Have each pair decide who is the dog and who is the rabbit. All pairs go at once. The dog stands at the cone at 0 yards. The rabbit stands with a ball at the cone at 5 yards. As soon as the rabbit makes his/her first dribble, the dog is released and chases the rabbit. If the dog tags the rabbit before the rabbit steps on the ball at 30 yards, the dog gets a point. If the rabbit makes it to the 30-yard cone without being tagged, the rabbit gets a point. Partners pass the ball together back to the start line and switch roles. Play until someone gets 3 points. Once the first pair has finished, the second and then third pairs play the game. When the first pair plays for a second time, switch roles so that the rabbit becomes the dog and vice versa. T5: Proper dribbling foot position and length of the dribble are crucial to a rabbit's success. T6: Everyone should be using proper sprinting form.

14 Crackers/Crunch Purpose To improve acceleration and speed dribbling Themes Mobility Skills # of Players All Equipment Disc cones for three lines-with and without a ball Time 5-10 minutes This is a very fun game that works on acceleration. It has the added benefit of making players listen carefully to what you are saying. Wouldn't it be nice if they'd do that all the time. Use your disc cones to set up three parallel lines each yards apart. You stand at the end of the centerline. Before the game starts, select one of end lines to be the "Crackers" line the other to be the "Crunch" line. If say "Crackers", players run to the "Crackers" line. If you say "Crunch", players run to the "Crunch" line. Line all of the players up one behind the other straddling the centerline and facing you. Say either "Crackers" or "Crunch". Make it by stretching out the words - "Cccccccrrrrrrrrrrackers" or "Cccccccrrrrrrunch". the and you fun First 2 players get a point. Play until someone has 5 points. Rest and play again VARIATIONS Have each player use a ball. This makes it a dribbling at speed game.

15 Stinky Pinny Tag Purpose To teach the concept of spacing around the dribbler Themes Mobility Skills # of Players All Equipment 1 ball, disc cones to mark off a 20x25-yard area, 1 very stinky pinny Time 2-3 minutes U8 players are notorious for stealing the ball from their own teammates. Players on the same team crowd around their own dribbler to create the "ball and a cloud of dust" syndrome. This game implants the concept of spacing around the dribbler. Use your disc cones to mark an area approximately 20x25 yards. Select one player to be "It" and give him/her the ball and the stinky piney. When you say "Go!", It should try to dribble at the other players. The other players should try to maintain as much distance as possible from It, but still be facing It (as if they were getting ready to receive a pass from It). Coach counts to 10 and then say "Freeze!" unless the player can tag someone. Any player who isn t at least passing distance away from It or who aren't facing It gets the stinky piney. Play until everyone has had a chance to be It. TECHNICAL POINTS T9: Make the area smaller/larger to make the game more difficult/easier.

16 City/Restaurant Game Purpose Multi-faceted game that can be used to improve dribbling, dribbling at speed and agility Themes Ball Mastery, Mobility Skills # of Players All - divided equally among the four cities Equipment 1 ball per player, 16 disc cones Time minutes Set up four cities/restaurants in a square grid with each city being 10 yards apart. Use four cones (about three yards apart) to mark the corners of each city. Name the cities (or have the players name them) and divide the players among the cities Agility Variants (No Balls) 1. When you say "Go!", each player must run in a counterclockwise direction around the grid passing through each city. When they return to their home city, they go down on one knee to show they have finished. First city with all of its residents back is the winner. 2. Game is the same except when you run from City A to City B, you must run forward. From City B to City C, you must run backward. From City C to City D, you must shuffle sideways. From City D to City A, you run forward but must do a somersault in the middle. 3. Put everyone in the middle to start and call out city names. Only so many can be in a city. You get a point for being one of the first to a city. Play to 5. Add some gates that you have to run through before you go to the next city. Dribbling Variants (Every Player with a Ball) 1. When you say "Go!", each player must dribble in a counterclockwise direction around the grid passing through each city. When they return to their home city, they need to stop the ball by placing their foot on top of it and wait in that position until all the other residents of their city finish. First city with all of its residents back is the winner. 2. Step touch between cities-first team back with each surface gets a point. 3. Put cone gates in between to dribble through on the way to your city-put a gate in the middle!

17 Dribble the Line Purpose To train dribbling with both the inside and outside of the foot Theme(s) Ball Mastery # of Players All Equipment 1 ball per player Time 1-2 minutes Dribbling with both the inside and outside of the foot is crucial to the success of any attacking dribbler. This simple warmup maximizes ball touches in a very limited amount of time. Find a painted line that is at least 20 yards long. It is helpful if you find more than one (e.g., start from a corner) so you can have multiple groups play at once. Each player needs a ball and players should line up one behind the other at the starting point. Use at least 2 lines The first player starts with ball just to the right of the He/she starts by dribbling ball across the line using the of the right foot. On the next dribble, he/she uses the outside of the right foot to dribble back across the line The player continues to dribble in a zigzag fashion only his/her right foot until he/she reaches the end. the line. the inside again. using As soon as the first player is far enough away, the second player starts and so forth until all players have gone. VARIATIONS Once the players get the hang of this, you'll want them to speed up. Having a relay where they go out with their right and back with their left is a good way to do this! Then do it without the line, still asking them to move the ball side to side. You can have them switch the ball from foot to foot in this rhythminside right, outside left, inside left, outside right, inside right-etc.

18 Red Light Green Light Purpose To improve stopping and starting ability Themes Ball Mastery # of Players All Equipment 1 ball per player, 10 disc cones Time 5-10 minutes Use your disc cones to set up two parallel lines that are 30 yards apart. All of the players line up along one line. You stand at the other line facing away from the players. Pick a dribbling move that all players must do when you say "Green Light". To start the game, you say "Green Light!". At that point, all of the players do the selected dribbling move and start dribbling toward the far line as fast as possible. When you say "Red Light!", all of the players must stop and put their foot on top of their ball. When you say "Red Light!" you also turn around. Any players who are not standing with a foot on their ball have to go back to the starting line and start over. You then turn back around and say "Green Light!" The players do the dribbling move and dribble forward again. First player to cross the line wins the game and gets to call Red Light, Green Light for the next game. VARIATIONS Make the lines 40 yards apart and play without soccer balls. When you say "Green Light", the players must do some mobility skill - forward somersault, push up, cartwheel, sky jump, etc. - and then sprint forward. When you say "Red Light", the players must stop. Any who don't stop in time have to start over.

19 Run the Gauntlet Purpose To improve 1v1 dribbling skills Themes Ball Mastery # of Players Minimum 6, maximum 12, setup 2 gauntlets if you have more Equipment 1 ball per player, 8 disc cones Time 5-10 minutes This excellent, rapid-fire 1v1 game challenges dribbling skills and requires quick thinking. Mark the corners of a 10x30-yard area. Put additional cones at 10 and 20 yards on each of the 30-yard sides. You should now have three consecutive 10x10-yard areas. Pick three players to be defenders. Have the first defender stand between the two 10-yard cones. The second defender stands between the two 20-yard cones. The third defender stands between the two 30-yard cones. The other players each get a ball and line up one behind the other between the 0-yard cones. When the first player dribbles into the first box, the first defender moves into the box trying to stop the dribbler from advancing into the second box. If the dribbler successfully makes it to the second box, the second defender comes forward to defend that box. If the dribbler successfully makes it to the third box, the third defender comes forward to defend the third box. If the dribbler's ball is knocked out of the boxes, the dribbler retrieves the ball and moves to the back of the dribblers' line. The dribbler earns one point for each box they successfully navigate (maximum of three points if they get through all three boxes without losing his/her ball). As soon as the first dribbler gets to the second box (or as soon as the first dribbler's ball is knocked out of the first box), the second dribbler enters the first box. Defenders must retreat to the back of their box when waiting for the next dribbler. Play continues in a furious fashion until one of the dribblers gets to 10 points and is the winner. Keep playing games until everyone has had a chance to be a defender. Encourage changing direction and speed to beat the defenders.

20 Sharks 'n Minnows Purpose To improve dribbling at speed and under pressure Themes Ball Mastery # of Players All - two players start out as sharks (the rest are minnows) Equipment 1 ball per minnow; disc cones to set up a 20x25-yard area Time 5-10 minutes This is the soccer version of the classic swimming pool game. It challenges players (minnows ) dribbling skill by introducing defenders (sharks). Use your disc cones to set up a 20x25-yard area. Pick two players to be sharks and place them at one end of the marked area. The remaining players are minnows. Each minnow needs a ball and all of the minnows line up on the other side of the marked area. When you say "Swim!", the minnows must "swim" (i.e., dribble) across the marked area to other end. The sharks try to knock each minnow's ball out of the marked area. If a minnow's ball is knocked out of the marked before he/she reaches the end, that minnow becomes a shark for the next round. the area After the round, all of the sharks go to the other end of the marked area and the surviving minnows try again. Last two surviving minnows become the sharks for the next game. VARIATIONS You can easily make this a tag game to work on movement skills and agility instead of dribbling. Give each minnow a pinnie. Have the minnows tuck them in the top of their shorts with most of the pinnie still showing (like flag football). The sharks must grab the pinnie.

21 4v4 Line Soccer Purpose To train ball control, dribbling moves, and recognition of space Themes Ball Mastery, Mobility Skills # of Players 8 - in two teams of 4 Equipment 3+ balls, disc cones to lay out a 30x25 field, 4 pinneys Time minutes This 4v4 game is all about dribbling so it makes a nice session ending game when dribbling was the theme of the session. Set up a 30x25-yard field using your disc cones. Note that the field wider than it is long (so that there more space in which to score a goal). is is The game is played the same as the standard 4v4 game except that the method of scoring a goal is different. To score a goal, a player needs to dribble the ball and stop it anywhere on the goal line they are attacking. Since you can score anywhere along the goal line, it is important for players to recognize when the space in front of them is heavily defended (2+ defenders). In that case, the dribbler needs to quickly change directions and attack another part of the goal line. Of course, passing is another way to change the point of attack quickly. If that happens, great; however, stress dribbling first and passing second.

22 Step on the Crack Purpose To enforce the position of the plant foot when shooting Themes Striking the Ball # of Players All - in two groups. Equipment As many balls as possible, 2 Pugg goals (or any goals will do) Time 5 minutes Improper positioning of the plant foot makes it difficult to strike a ball well. Most players place their plant foot too far back and rob themselves of power and accuracy. This game awards points for proper placement of the plant foot. You need a line to make this game work (or you can paint a line yourself). Place the goals side by side approximately 10 yards apart and 10 yards behind the line. Split the players into two groups. Each group should be approximately 5 yards behind the line and in front of the goal they will be using. You will need an assistant to set balls up for the other group. You will also need two or more parents to shag balls for you. You and your assistant place a ball just past the line. The first player in each group shoots the ball using the instep. Regardless of where the shot goes, the player's team gets a point if that player places his/her plant foot on or over the line. Count points out loud and the first team to 20 is the big winner. Switch goals and shoot with the other foot for the next game. Since you and your assistant will be placing balls on the line as fast as possible, your shaggers will have to be hard at work.

23 Dribble and Shoot Purpose To improve instep shooting off the dribble. Themes Ball Mastery, Striking the Ball # of Players All - in two groups Equipment Lots of balls, 2 disc cones, 2 Pugg goals (or any goals) Time 5-10 minutes This is the basic shooting game that is played everywhere. Players get to work on their dribbling moves and shooting at the same time. Set up your Pugg goals side by side approximately 5-10 yards apart. In front of each Pugg goal, set up disc cones at the following distances: 10 yards and 25 yards. Behind each of the 25-yard cones, line up one group of players. Every player should have a ball. Note that if you only have one large goal, simply have both groups shoot on the same goal at the same time. The first player from each group dribbles forward, makes a dribbling move, and must shoot before reaching the cone. If the shot goes into the goal, that player's team gets one point. Have each group count their points out loud and the first team with ten points is the winner. Switch goals and shooting feet for the next round. You can make players shag their own shots to give them extra incentive to put them into the net! TECHNICAL POINTS T7: Dribbling moves and shots must be made at game speed. Don't let players walk into their shots. T8: The last dribble before the shot should be a longer one. This allows the player to accelerate into the shot for more power. If the last dribble is a short one, the player will have a hard time getting the ball out from under his/her feet in order to shoot powerfully. Stress proper instep shooting form - plant foot next to the ball, toe down, knee over ball, follow through toward target.

24 4v4 SHOOT! Purpose Small-sided game to train shooting Themes Ball Mastery, Striking the Ball, Mobility Skills # of Players 8 - in two teams of 4 Equipment 3+ balls, disc cones to lay out a 30x20 field, 4 corner flags, 4 pinneys Time minutes This is a fast-paced, shooting game on a short and wide field. It is an excellent ending to a training session with a shooting/striking the ball theme. Set up is the same as the standard 4v4 game except: 1. Field is 30x20 yards (field is wider than it is long). 2. Use corner flags for goals instead of Pugg goals. Make each goal 6-8 yards wide. There are usually no goalies in this game, but you can add them at u9/10 if you like. The game is played the same as the standard 4v4 game. With the goals so close together and so big, the emphasis is on shooting as soon as possible. As soon as a player gets just a little opening, he/she should be thinking about shooting.

25 Get Outta There Purpose To improve 1v1 skills Themes Ball Mastery # of Players All - in two or four groups Equipment Lots of balls, disc cones to lay out a 20x25 field, 2 Pugg goals Time 10 minutes This game with the harsh-sounding name is a fast-paced game of 1v1. Eight players at the field is probably the right number, but if you play fast enough, you can have all twelve. If you have many players, you can also set up two fields. Use your disc cones to create a 20x25-yard field. Place a Pugg goal halfway along each goal line. Line half of the players up at one corner and the other half up at the diagonal corner. Roll a ball onto the field without saying anything. When the ball enters the field of play, the first players in each group run down their goal line, around their goal, and onto the field to play a 1v1 game. If the ball goes out of play, all the remaining players yell "Get Outta There!" The players on the field must leave immediately. You (silently) roll another ball onto the field for the second player from each group to play. By rolling the ball onto the field silently, you are forcing players to really pay attention. If a player scores a goal, that player stays on the field and the next player from the other group plays as soon as you put the ball into play. By leaving the goal scorer on the field helps you break up pairs so players don't have to play against the same players. You can have players keep track of their goals and the first to three goals is Landon Donavan or Abby Wambach for the day! Variations Place goals in each corner so players have two goals on which to score. This will emphasize changing directions. Roll two balls onto the field and have two separate 1v1 games going on at a time. Play in pairs instead of individually. Change of speed and change of direction encourage them!