U 4/5 Week 6 Fall Soccer

Last week of fall soccer

To celebrate the end of the fall season and to recognize the efforts and skills of players

we have a selection of patches to give to players at the end of the session.

Blue/Yellow: each student will receive one to recognize their participation in the fall program.

Lightning Bolt: The bolt with three different parts represents defence, midfield and offence. This patch goes to a good all around player with good teamwork skills.

A: Player displaying good effort.

D: Player with strong defensive skills

Metallic Gold Star: The golden player, one who is always on time and helps out (without being asked).

Red Star: The player with the most heart (determination, courage, bravery).

Happy Face: The player who has a great attitude and makes the practice enjoyable for all.

You may want to think about who would be a worthy recipient of each patch prior to the last session.

Patches are in the equipment room.

:)

Goaltending and Games

Warm up/Agility 
Play a game of donkey tails
Half have pinnies as tales in shorts, other half try and get as many pinnies as possible or some variation of this.

Introduce ready position. You may want to have them play a Simon Says game where you introduce this skill. 

Ready position

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDq4HlsZMY

In partners have players bowl ball to each other working on proper bowling, scooping and hugging the ball technique. You may want each pair to bowl it between an arch.

Bowling technique and scooping and locking the box

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3iUxCFfE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-WW5AkU5Q

Some skills you may want to introduce to them and they can practice

High Kicks - Goalkeeping kick.   This works well with parent and child. 

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/220_high_kicks_u46.php

Catching Grips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDySzyVfUtY

Fun Game:

Musical Balls/Coach says

In a 15x15 grid.  Spread balls around.  Coach says running around grid, shuffle, etc... when coach says ready position all players show appropriate ready position.  When coach says ball, all players jump/dive on a ball, last person on a ball gives their ball to coach or just play with all balls....or anyone who doesn't get a ball does 5 jumping jacks, toe taps, catches etc...  Throw in whatever fun commands you like.

Review:

Choose one or more of your favourite activities from the previous weeks.
How about ending session with a parents vs players game? 

At end of session review quickly review all the skills you have worked on this fall: dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, attacking and goaltending. 

Give out patches and T-shirts.

We may have pizza to offer players as well. 

:)

U 6/7/8 Week 6 Fall soccer

Last week of fall soccer

To celebrate the end of the fall season and to recognize the efforts and skills of players

we have a selection of patches to give to players at the end of the session.

Blue/Yellow: each student will receive one to recognize their participation in the fall program.

Lightning Bolt: The bolt with three different parts represents defence, midfield and offence. This patch goes to a good all around player with good teamwork skills.

A: Player displaying good effort.

D: Player with strong defensive skills

Metallic Gold Star: The golden player, one who is always on time and helps out (without being asked).

Red Star: The player with the most heart (determination, courage, bravery).

Happy Face: The player who has a great attitude and makes the practice enjoyable for all.

You may want to think about who would be a worthy recipient of each patch prior to the last session.

Patches are in the equipment room.

:)

Goaltending and Review

Warm Up: 

Players in grid with a ball each. Have each player do a series of activities with ball such as bounce ball then catch, throw ball into air and catch, roll ball through another's legs and retrieve, kick ball into air and catch. 

Introduce goaltending skills such as ones shown below. Players practice in partners. You may want to focus on only a couple such as ready position, locking the box and catching grips. Use your imagination to make it fun and effective.

Ready position

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDq4HlsZMY

Bowling technique and scooping and locking the box

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3iUxCFfE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-WW5AkU5Q

Catching Grips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDySzyVfUtY

 Punting technique

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MX34YKM5VM

A fun game where players get the idea of rolling and throwing the ball and picking it up (work on scooping up technique ensuring the legs aren't to far apart that ball and go through them)
-20x30 yard grid with 8 arches inside.
- players in partners. They see how many arches they can roll through and catch within a certain period of time. They must go to a different arch after each throw.
-may not run with ball
-no tackling only interceptions
-3 secs with ball before must move it

Or ...Musical Balls/Coach says
In a 15x15 grid.  Spread balls around.  Coach says running around grid, shuffle, etc... when coach says ready position all players show appropriate ready position.  When coach says ball, all players jump/dive on a ball, last person on a ball gives their ball to coach or just play with all balls....or anyone who doesn't get a ball does 5 jumping jacks, toe taps, catches etc...  Throw in whatever fun commands you like.
You may want to try this game. It may be challenging for the younger players.
Play a game of ultimate practicing catching and throwing skills. 

30 X 40 m grid. Two teams, one ball. Teams try to get ball over opposition's end line. The ball can only be moved by throwing and catching ball to teammate. Change in possession if ball is not caught or intercepted. Defenders must be 2 meters away. You gain a point by having a teammate catch the ball over opposition's end line. You may want to introduce a second ball to keep players engaged. 

This link explains a similar game. 

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/27_gk_ball.php

Review:

Choose one or more of your favourite activities from the previous weeks.
How about ending session with a parents vs players game? 

At end of session review quickly review all the skills you have worked on this fall: dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, attacking and goaltending. 

Give out patches and T-shirts.

We may have pizza to offer players as well. 

:)

U 9/10/11 Week 6 Fall Soccer

Last week of fall soccer

To celebrate the end of the fall season and to recognize the efforts and skills of players

we have a selection of patches to give to players at the end of the session.

Blue/Yellow: each student will receive one to recognize their participation in the fall program.

Lightning Bolt: The bolt with three different parts represents defence, midfield and offence. This patch goes to a good all around player with good teamwork skills.

A: Player displaying good effort.

D: Player with strong defensive skills

Metallic Gold Star: The golden player, one who is always on time and helps out (without being asked).

Red Star: The player with the most heart (determination, courage, bravery).

Happy Face: The player who has a great attitude and makes the practice enjoyable for all.

You may want to think about who would be a worthy recipient of each patch prior to the last session.

Patches are in the equipment room.

:)

Theme this week:  Goal Keeping and Review

-we will look at the role and positioning of the goal keeper 

-using hands and catching properly idea of scooping and locking the box

-rolling the ball, throwing

Warm Up: 

Players in grid with a ball each. Have each player do a series of activities with ball such as bounce ball then catch, throw ball into air and catch, roll ball through another's legs and retrieve, kick ball into air and catch. 

Introduce goaltending skills such as ones shown below. Players practice in partners. You may want to focus on only a couple such as ready position, locking the box and catching grips.

Ready position

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDq4HlsZMY

Bowling technique and scooping and locking the box

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3iUxCFfE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-WW5AkU5Q

Catching Grips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDySzyVfUtY

 Punting technique

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MX34YKM5VM

Over arm throw

Play a game of ultimate practicing catching and throwing skills. 

30 X 40 m grid. Two teams, one ball. Teams try to get ball over opposition's end line. The ball can only be moved by throwing and catching ball to teammate. Change in possession if ball is not caught or intercepted. Defenders must be 2 meters away. You gain a point by having a teammate catch the ball over opposition's end line. You may want to introduce a second ball to keep players engaged. 

This link explains a similar game. 

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/27_gk_ball.php

Review:

Choose one of your favourite activities from the previous weeks.

Another suggestion is to play World Cup.  

Three teams of equal numbers. One goalie. Teams play against each other trying to score a goal on same net. When team scores they sit out next round, they will play winner of remaining two teams. Two winning teams play against each other. 

Focus on teamwork and finishing. 

How about ending the session with a parents vs kids game.

At end of session review quickly review all the skills you have worked on this fall: dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, attacking and goaltending. 

Give out patches and T-shirts.

We may have pizza to offer players as well. 

:)

Soccer Patches

Last week of fall soccer
To celebrate the end of the fall season and to recognize the efforts and skills of players
we have a selection of patches to give to players at the end of the session.

Blue/Yellow: each student will receive one to recognize their participation in the fall program.
Lightning Bolt: The bolt with three different parts represents defence, midfield and offence. This patch goes to a good all around player with good teamwork skills.
A: Player displaying good effort.
D: Player with strong defensive skills
Metallic Gold Star: The golden player, one who is always on time and helps out (without being asked).
Red Star: The player with the most heart (determination, courage, bravery).
Happy Face: The player who has a great attitude and makes the practice enjoyable for all.

You may want to think about who would be a worthy recipient of each patch prior to the last session.
Patches are in the equipment room.
:)

U4/5 Fall Soccer: Week 5

Focus: Attacking and defending

It could be cool on Tuesday so ensure that players are properly dressed and keep moving.

Focus: defending and attacking

Defending coaching points

Defender's stance:

Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart, legs should be slightly bent, stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.

Attacking:

-keep ball close
-attack with speed

Warm up 

15x15 grid

Half the players are given a pinnie to tuck into the back of their shorts as a tail. Coach shouts “Go!” players without a tail attempt to grab a tail from the players with one. Once players get a tail they must now avoid having it taken.  Get parents to play if you need more people.

Blob Tag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS1i1mBLp0U
You may want to start game without any balls and then transition into having the nonblobs dribblingin grid. You can break the blob whenever you feel necessary.

Shark Attack.

20 x 20 grid. Mark each corner with different colored cones. Players dribbling in grid, coaches or players tries to win ball from fish. Toe touches or storks if shark attack is successful. To give players an opportunity to work on their offensive skills, when coach yells a specific color players must dribble to that colored corner trying to get past sharks. 

Chain soccer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SX9v233bmU
move from 1v1 to adding players, so have another number go and help OR get them coming out in 2's or 3's etc...

1 v 1 attack

two goals, have half team on each side line, when you call their names they go and challenge a ball that you roll in, each team having a goal they need to score on

Small sided game focusing on attacking and defending.

6/7/8 Fall Soccer: Week 5

Focus Skills: Attacking and Defending

It could be cool on Tuesday so ensure that players are properly dressed and keep moving.

Focus: defending and attacking

Defending coaching points

Defender's stance:

Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart, legs should be slightly bent, stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.

Attacking:

-keep ball close
-attack with speed
-try and catch them flat footed

Warm Up: Players spread out in 15X15 grid. Players assume defending stance. Model the stance and the movement. Goal is for them to touch the knees of other players. Movement by shuffling only. Ensure they are not crossing their feet. 

Next, transition into a game of shark. Mark each corner with different colored cones. Players dribbling in grid, coaches or players tries to win ball from fish. 20 toe touches or storks if shark attack is successful. To give players an opportunity to work on their offensive skills, when coach yells a specific color players must dribble to that colored corner trying to get past sharks.  Incorporate dynamic stretches within activity as needed (once everyone is in the blue lagoon corner do 20 high knees ..)

A good version of the numbers game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SX9v233bmU

Gauntlet drill

http://3v3soccer.blogspot.ca/2009/05/gauntlet-drill.html

This is a great activity to teach defensive and office skills. The kids love it.

Set up activity as shown in link below. Model attacking skills and ask some players to show some good offensive moves. Start with 1 vs 3 and try 2 vs 3 to work on team play.

Have players start at one end of the activity and work their way down to being goalie and then back to the start again. 

1v1  Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EadxBPmQvtg
A good activity for practicing attacking moves.

Small sided game. 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 5. :)

Boys and Girls 9/10/11 Fall Soccer Week 5

Focus Skills: Attacking and Defending

It could be cool on Tuesday so ensure that players are properly dressed and keep moving.

Focus: defending and attacking

Defending coaching points

Defender's stance:

Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart, legs should be slightly bent, stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.

-quick close down

-delay/give space - don't commit- jockey

-watch ball not player

-make the attacker make the mistake

-force to outside/weak side if you know it

-go for ball when attacker has pushed ball away from feet

Defending tips/points
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Tn3cFmrCg&feature=relmfu
http://3v3soccer.blogspot.ca/search/label/3v3%20soccer%20defense

Attacking:
-attack with speed
-keep ball close
-attack weak side if you know it
-try and catch them flat footed
-exploit them if too close

Warm Up: Players spread out in 15X15 grid. Players assume defending stance. Model the stance and the movement. Goal is for them to touch the knees of other players. Movement by shuffling only. Ensure they are not crossing their feet. 

Next, transition into a game of shark. Mark each corner with different colored cones. Players dribbling in grid, coaches or players tries to win ball from fish. 20 toe touches or storks if shark attack is successful. To give players an opportunity to work on their offensive skills, when coach yells a specific color players must dribble to that colored corner trying to get past sharks.  Incorporate dynamic stretches within activity as needed (once everyone is in the blue lagoon corner do 20 high knees ..)

Gauntlet drill

http://3v3soccer.blogspot.ca/2009/05/gauntlet-drill.html

This is a great activity to teach defensive and office skills. The kids love it.

Set up activity as shown in link below. Start with 1 vs 3 focusing on good defending and attacking skills. Model attacking skills and ask some players to show some good offensive moves. 

Have players start at one end of the activity and work their way down to being goalie and then back to the start again. 

1v1  Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EadxBPmQvtg
A good activity for practicing attacking moves.

Numbers Game if time and you have not done recently.

Small sided game. 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 5. :)

U4/5 fall soccer week 4

focus:  finishing/scoring

Coaching points for shooting:
-non kicking/planting foot next to ball
-non kicking/planting foot pointing at target
-strike ball with laces, toe pointed down and ankle locked


warm up:
Obstacle Course: use your imagination and create an obstacle course.  Land mines/ lots of cones to dribble through, hurdles to jump over, arches to crawl under or jump over, cones to go around, ladders etc...be creative!

Nuts and Squirrels 

this time do a round with a goal in each corner and they have to shoot it into the net 

15 x 15 grid - 4 small goals or "hoarding areas/trees" on sides or corners of grid.....all balls (nuts) in middle of grid.  Kids (squirrels) in pairs or 3's depending on numbers in each goal/hoarding area.  Coach shouts "go" players take turns running into the middle and dribbling back a ball back hoarding area (trying to get as many nuts as they can), when there are no balls left in the middle coach yells "steal" or something else appropriate and then they may try and steal nuts from anywhere (other hoarding areas).  No defending the nuts!  After they understand the game, have them pass the ball back to their team/house.

Shoot on mom, dad, coach etc....

Set up four goals and kids are to dribble around and shoot and score on each parent, might have a place that they have to dribble around before they can go and shoot on someone else

Soccer Bowling

(if it's cold, you'll want to have a few lanes so to speak)

Soccer bowling (shooting/passing accuracy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGyrJGmJNk&feature=relmfu

or

Topple me Coconuts 

Split players into 2 teams and have them line-up as shown below. Place balls on top of cones like coconuts. Ask players to alternate making passes/shots to try and knock the ball off of a cone. If a player is successful they can go and retrieve both balls and bring them back to their side. 

Crocs and Swamps

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/211_swamps_rivers_u46.php

or
make two lines of cones heading towards the net, the kids need to pass to parent/coach and not hit the crocs (cones) and then shoot on net.ach side of the grid (use cones or grab a couple of arches which I will bring to the field).  Put parents/coaches in goals and then have the kids work on dribbling around and shooting on each goal.  Count how many times you score!

1 v 1 attack

two goals, have half team on each side line, when you call their names they go and challenge a ball that you roll in, each team having a goal they need to score on

Numbers Game-one net...focus shooting (might split into two groups of two teams)
Set up a small grid with goal at one end.  Separate players into 2 teams lined up on each side of goal.  Place two cones just a bit further than shooting distance even with corners of goal, and place yourself between with a stash of balls.  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. That numbered player on each team must race around the cones into the field where a ball is played. Players are trying to both defend and score on the same net. Encourage celebrations after a goal! Progress to 2 or 3 players. Add a goalkeeper (might just keep it at one number (set of players) coming out at a time)

Game:  2 teams, two goals

U6/7/8 fall soccer week 4

focus:  finishing or shooting

Coaching points for shooting:
-non kicking/planting foot next to ball
-non kicking/planting foot pointing at target
-strike ball with laces, toe pointed down and ankle locked.
-follow through to target
Skill focus shooting mechanics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac8r9XlSWo0&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3wi0tehvIw&feature=relmfu


Warm up/Agility:  Follow the Coach 
(instead of parent partners just use partners) have the agility items set up and the arches so they have different challenges
Each child partners with his/her parent and finds space inside the playing area not too close to other pairs. As well as being purposeful each exercise described should be treated as fun/inventive and is performed alternately by the child and parent together. Jogging forward – child follows parent – parent weaves around the area. As coach shouts change they quickly switch roles
move to:
Variations
As above but skipping, hopping (one foot), bunny hopping (two foot) giant steps, walking backwards
Coach calls out commands, touch ground with hand, sit down, stand up, dive and roll on ground etc

Play a game:  4 goal soccer
Coaching shooting.

Fun little preamble to practice shooting technique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wxCfL92L_k

You might want to head to the fence and work on shooting technique...play hit the coach (run down the line)

skill focus:  shooting
simple activity of two lines, each kid with a ball facing coach/team mate.  Pass to coach or team mate who lays off the ball to side for a shot
http://expertfootball.com/coaching/shooting.php
(first drill on page) - worry less about if they are shooting in or out of penalty area.
Can adapt this drill slightly and add a defender, where the coach/player who was initially receiving for layoff, now this player is the attacker (back to net), defender behind them, attacker receives pass and needs to turn and play a shot on goal (have defender play dummy to start and play tight...then move to live defender)

Shoot and Keep:  Coach passes ball to player positioned 10 meters outside the goalie area.
Player takes one touch of ball then shoots to score on net. Player must shoot before the penalty area. The player then goes in net. Keep players moving by having them quickly receive and shoot ball then become goalkeeper. 
Progression: if you get scored on sit out. Play until you have a winner.
Focus on players properly kicking a moving ball and goalkeepers practicing the skills they worked on last week.
Kids love this activity!

Clean your room/messy room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju7gXm_4eBQ