U6 / U8 Coaches Clinic Fall 2008
U6 / U8 Coaches Clinic Fall 2008
Passing and Control
Aim: To be able to receive and pass the ball comfortably, emphasizing the importance of accuracy over power.
Fun Warm Up: Tunnel tag
All players have a ball in the grid. One player is the ‘tagger' without a ball; if players are tagged they stand with the ball on their head with their legs open and are freed when another player passes their ball between their legs. Progress by having players play a one-two pass to free the player.
Juggles: All players have a soccer ball and practice the following:
1) Volley and catch using laces
2) Volley and catch using inside
3) Volley and catch using the outside of the foot
Passing Skills
Inside, laces and outside. Have players lean forward and follow through so that the passing foot lands in front of where the ball was. Strike the center of the ball. When controlling the ball, move quickly to the line of the ball and use the inside of the foot.
Fun Game: Targets
Players stand in pairs opposite each other. In between them is a cone with a ball on top. Players take it in turns to try to pass the ball against the target and hit the ball off of the cone. A point is scored if successful.
Passing Drill:
Players are in teams of 3 and numbered 1, 2 and 3. Each team has a ball in the area and must move around passing the ball to each other. Player 1 can only pass to number 2, player 2 can only pass to number 3 and player 3 can only pass to number 1. Progress by only allowing players to take 2 touches and also do not allow the ball to stop moving.
Fun Game: Gates
In pairs, players must dribble around with one ball between two. Players must try and pass to each other through the gates. The player without possession of the ball should move to find an open gate. How many passes can they make in 1min etc? Progress by having defenders trying to prevent players form dribbling through the gate. Increase the number of defenders to make it more challenging.
Soccer Feature: Kick-Off: Explain how this comes about and demonstrate. Have players practice.
Turns
Aim: To give players a wide variety of options when it comes to changing direction.
Fun Warm Up: Tail Hunt
Players are in two teams, and all players have a ball and a pinnie. Players tuck the pinnie into the back of their shorts, making a ‘tail'. Players try to steal the tails from the other team while keeping control of their ball
Juggles: All players have a soccer ball and practice the following:
4) Volley, bounce, volley (How many times can players do it in a row)
5) Thigh and catch
6) Left thigh, right thigh and catch
Turning Skills
Inside hook, outside hook and drag back. Ensure players bend knees during the turn and get their whole body around the ball rather than just sticking out a straight leg.
Fun Game: Rush Hour
Players are in 4 teams, standing in the corner of a grid. All soccer balls are in the middle. Players must try to get as many balls into their home ‘base' in the given time. Players may collect balls from the center, but when there is none left, they can steal from other team bases. The team with the most balls when the time runs out, are the winners.
Turning Drill
Players have a ball each. There are various cones scattered around the grid. Players must dribble their soccer ball around with their heads up looking for a ‘spare' cone. When they find a cone they must dribble up to it, turn away and then dribble to another cone. Progress by only allowing certain turns and seeing how many turns can be made in a given time.
Fun Game: Around the World
All players have a ball inside the grid. The coach names each side of the grid North, South, East and West. Get the players dribbling around and when the coach shouts out a direction, the players must turn and dribble to the corresponding line. As a progression, coach can point to a direction instead of shouting to encourage players to look-up whilst dribbling.
Soccer feature: Throw ins
Show players what a throw in is and have the throw to each other. Also explain why we have them and use them during the scrimmages.
Dribbling
Aim: To get children dribbling with the ball, trying to use both feet.
Fun Warm Up: Body Parts
Players dribble around and when the coach shouts out a particular part of the body, the players must stop the ball using that ‘body part'. Players are encouraged to keep the ball close to their feet to enable them to stop the ball quickly. Begin using sole, insides, outsides and then progress to other body parts for fun! E.G knee, head, shoulder!
Juggles: All players have a soccer ball and practice the following:
7) Thigh (how long can players keep the ball in the air)
8) Thigh, volley and catch
9) Volley, thigh and catch
Skills
Inside of foot, laces, sole, outside. Players will work in an area, dribbling their balls and concentrating on avoiding others and looking for spaces. Encourage kids to stay well balanced (weight forward & over ball), Keep their head up and bend their knees when executing moves
Soccer 4 Square:
Set up 4 squares in each corner 3 by 3. This is the safe area. Coaches tag players. Players must dribble the ball to a safe square when the coach approaches. If the coach tags the player they must freeze until another free player can tag them back in. Encourages looking up and dribbling.
Dribbling Drill
Players have a ball each. Various gates are placed inside the grid. Players must dribble around looking for spare gates to dribble through. Progress by only allowing certain parts of the feet to be used, only allowing the use of the ‘weaker foot' and given players a certain amount of time to get through as many gates as possible
Fun Game: Race for the Cup
Players are in 4 teams and stand in each corner of a grid, with a ball each. Players take it in turns to dribble around the outside of the grid and then into the middle where they must hit the ball off of the cone. Progress by having players dribble around both clockwise and anti clockwise to ensure they are turning both ways.
Soccer Feature: Free Kick: Explain the ways these can be awarded and the difference between ‘direct' and ‘in-direct'.
Goalkeeping
Aim: A basic introduction to goalkeeping and getting used to handling the soccer ball after always being told to use their feet!
Warm Up: Goalie Tricks
Run through several GK practices as follows:
(i)Bounce thru legs - turn - catch
(ii)Hold ball between knees (one hand in front & one hand behind) - release ball and switch hands before ball bounces
(iii)Players in pairs, back to back - pass one ball to each other, side to side
(iv)Players in pairs, back to back - pass one ball to each other, through legs and over head
Goal Keeping Skills
Ready position, straight leg pick up, goalie role, and overhead catch. Players will line-up & work in threes with one player in a goal and two players (one either side of the goal) feeding/ shooting the ball. The GK turns and faces the next shooter after each play. Always start from goalie position (well balanced & relaxed), and encourage kids to keep their head still and eyes on the ball, get quickly into line with the ball and react rather than anticipate
Fun Game: Role for a Goal
Players are in pairs a short distance apart with a cone in the middle with a ball placed on top. One player begins with a different ball and tries to knock the ball off in the middle with an accurate goalie role. If successful they score a goal.
Game: Star Wars
Same rules apply as in the Passing & Control session, this time however, the children role the ball instead of passing with their feet.
Game: Race to Score
4 goals are set up on each side of a grid. The players are split into 2 teams and stand outside of the grid behind the coach. All soccer balls are grouped together in the center of the grid. The coach calls out the name of a team, and that team instantly runs into the middle of the grid, collect the balls, and try to score in any of the 4 goals. The team, which are NOT called, become goalkeepers. The game finishes when ALL balls are out of play.
Soccer Feature: Goalkeeping: Show how to take a goal kick and also the area that a goalie can handle the ball inside.
Offensive Moves
Aim: Bringing together some of the themes of previous sessions, here we look at skills related to game situations
Fun Warm Up: Knockout
All players have a ball and dribble around in the area. The aim of the game is to try and knock-out other players balls, whilst trying to protect your own. If you get knocked-out then you must got to the skill zone and perform the skill (2 juggles etc) to be allowed back in the game.
Juggles: All players have a soccer ball and practice the following:
10) Chest and catch
11) Head and catch
12) Jump, head and catch (contact with the soccer ball when feet are in the air)
Game: Soccer Stars
Players line up at the end of the grid with a ball each. They have to dribble across the grid (ocean) and avoid getting tackled by the crabs. They move like crabs around the grid and try to kick out as many balls as possible. Players who lose their balls become crabs. Progress by having players work in 2's or 3's and they have to make a certain amount of passes before they can pass through the grid.
1v1, 2v2, 3v3 Numbers Drill
Players are divided into two groups and are given numbers. They stand in diagonally opposite corners. Coach throws in a ball and calls a number. The two players with that number play against each other until one scores. Progress by calling more numbers out to go 2v2, 3v3 etc, and also allow goalkeepers.
Game: Double Dutch Scoring Game
One player is in goal. All other players are in two teams, paired with someone on the other team, and standing one behind the other with a ball, outside the area. Each pair shares a number. Coach calls a number, and the player with the ball goes to goal and tries to score. The opponent paired with this player gives chase. After each pair has gone, set-up so that the other team gets to go to goal. Change GK's after each round, and have pairs switch positions around the area. As a progression, players may not score from inside the GK area.
Soccer Feature: Positions: Use players with a ball each to show the different positions on the field. Keep it simple initially (defense, midfield etc) and progress as familiarity develops. Coach calls out certain positions, and players must dribble to that particular area as quickly as possible.
Shooting
Aim: To score some goals! A progression from passing, again emphasizing the importance of accuracy over power. Encourage players to shoot away from the goalkeeper.
Fun Warm Up: Dribble 1, 2, and 3
All players are inside the area with a soccer ball. Coach calls out a number; each number corresponds to different commands (1 - foot on the ball, 2 - leave your ball and put your foot on another ball, 3 - dribble to coach and get a high etc)
Juggles: All players have a soccer ball and practice the following:
14) How many times can players keep the ball in the air using ANY body parts?
Skills
Inside shot, Laces shot, dribble & shot. Players will line-up & work in threes with one player in a goal and two players (one either side of the goal) feeding/shooting the ball. The GK turns and faces the next shooter after each play.
Encourage kids to lean forward and follow thru so that the shooting foot lands on the floor in front of where the ball had been. Also strike the center of the ball unless looking to play the ball in the air and always point out that accuracy is more important than power!
Game: Sneaky Soccer
Players are inside the area with a ball each. Players dribble around, and when coach shouts "Sneaky Soccer" each player must try to shoot and hit any other player's soccer ball
Shooting Drill
Players line up facing the goal with a goalkeeper. The coach will role the ball into the shooter who makes a one time shot (no 1st touch). After shooting, the player will go into the goalkeeper position and defend the next person in line. If you fail to score and then the next player scores, you are out! However, If you score, you cannot be knocked out! Those players that are knocked out, must got to the skill zone and perform a designated skill o get back in the game.
Game: Target Shooting
Line up players on either side of a square and put balls on cones in the middle. Players have to shoot other balls and hit the targets. The game ends when all balls are hit off of the cones! Players can only shoot from the edge of the grid.
Soccer Feature: Penalty Kicks: Explain why they are awarded and how to take them. Finish with a penalty shoot-out for all.