Dribbling - MINI KICKS - "I Can Do This"

Organization:

20x30 yard area

Each player with a ball

Instructions:

Coach calls out to players, "I can do this...can you?"

- Examples: Toss ball in the air and clap before catching (add claps to make harder), Toss ball in the air and spin before catching, Kick ball up above your head and catch, Any Coerver technical touches, etc.

Coaching Points:

- Body control and coordination

- Hand & eye coordination

- Dexterity

- Spatial Awareness

Progressions:

- Judge difficulty based on group, challenge individually as well.

Dribbling - MINI KICKS - Pirate Robbers

Organization:

20x30 yard area

Each player with a ball

Each player with a pennie in the back of pants (sword)

Instruction:

- Players run around the area and look to steal the sword out of the back of their opponents.

- If sword is pulled, player is frozen, and they must try to grab a sword as a player runs by to get back into the game.

- Player with the most swords pulled wins.

- Play for set amount of time.

Progression:

- Add ball

- Add specific players to pull.

Regression:

- Make space bigger.

Coaching points:

Avoid having sword pulled.

Look for, and sprint into the open space.

Try to feint and change direction against other players.

Dribbling - MINI KICKS - Treasure Chest

Organization:

30x40 area with 4 5x5 squares in each corner.

Instructions:

- At coach command players must run to the island to retrieve a ball and dribble back to their corner.

- Upon return, next teammate runs to do the same.

- Once all balls are all gone, they move on to the cones (gold/treasure)

- The team with the most gold in their corner wins.

Coaching points:

- Outside (pinky-toe) for close control.

- Laces for fast, longer distance dribbling.

- Head up to locate your corner.

Progressions:

- Allow dribbling with single foot adding a move (feint, roll, etc.)

- How many can your team retrieve?

- Allow dribbling with either foot. (Regression)

Dribbling/Passing - MINI KICKS - Pirates

Organization:

- 20 x 30 yard area

- Create two end zones on opposite sides of the field.

Instructions:

- When the coach yells go all the Piratess (attackers) have to make it across the field with their soccer balls without being captured (hit) by the Pirate Hunters (defenders).

- In order for the Pirates to be captured the Pirate Hunters must hit them with a pass below the waist.

- If a Pirate is hit, they become a Pirate Hunter on the side.

Coaching Points:

- If Pirate Hunters are not near, then can the Pirates take bigger touches in order to go faster.

- If Pirate Hunters are near, can the Pirates take smaller touches to get away from Pirate Hunters.

Organization:

- 20x20 area

- 4 Goals

- 12 players

- As many balls as available

Instructions:

- 4 teams and 4 goals (each team has their own goal)

- Number players (Pirates) 1-4

- Coach calls out go, and players have to run out, take one ball, and shoot it into their goal.

- Next person doesn't go until ball is in the net.

- Pirates go until all the balls are gone from the middle.

Coaching Points:

- Quickly retrieve the ball

- Choose appropriate surface of the foot to get ball from pile

- Turn and dribble to own goal

- Aim/Shoot at goal

- Use appropriate surface of foot to shoot (laces)

Progressions:

- Play with fewer balls in the middle, eventually getting down to 1 ball.