U4/5 practice plan - week of May 15

This week you will run your own practices....start to finish with just your team.  I will be coming around and working with different groups.  The most difficult part will be the transitions between drills, make it fast or you'll loose them!  Here is a basic practice plan that you can use for both days. It's okay if you don't get through everything.  Remember to run/take your players around the boundaries of the area you are using.  Also I've been noticing that some of you haven't been cheering at the end...this is important, kids LOVE the cheer....I'd do it before you crack the snacks!  Also a couple of reminders:  parents/care givers are expected to be at the field with their child ready to participate, a gentle reminder to parents is okay.  If a child does not want to participate, that is OK...it is totally okay to sit and watch from the side, have a break etc...  Don't forget to give a water break especially if it's warmer out!

Warm up/Agility:  Freeze Tag

Set up a 20m x 20m grid. Players travel around the grid with a ball. Coach/parent tries to tag the players. When a player is tagged he/she must stand still with legs shoulder width apart and pick up ball. Players are unfrozen when a teammate can dribble a ball through their legs.

Variations

Easier (U4): Start with no balls, players hold hands out to side - player freed by going under an arm – progress to under legs Harder (U6): Have players replace coach(es) as taggers.

Harder (U6): Players must perform 2 juggles to unfreeze.

Ball Literacy: Enchanted Forest

Set up a 20m x 20m grid. Scatter cones around grid as “spooky trees”. Other obstacles such as rings, hurdles or larger cones can be used as different challenges. Start by having parent lead player with a ball through the forest avoiding the spooky trees. Players can pick up ball and toss it over the taller spooky trees.

Alternatives

Easier –First explore the forest with no balls. Harder – Have players travel from one end of the forest on their own to rescue mom or dad, who are stuck on the other side. Harder – Have parent chase children through the forest. Switch roles.

Ball Literacy - King/Queen of the Ring

Players have a ball each. Players must keep ball within a defined area . Players are encouraged to kick other balls out of area. When a player has their ball kicked out of the grid, they must leave the grid and practice a skill (3 toe taps etc) and then they should return to grid.  (you will need parents to help guide their kids for this)

Alternatives Easier – Parent and child can play keep away in pairs. Parent letting child

enjoy success

Ball Literacy - Nuts and Squirrels

Teams are divided into 3/4 groups - each group is given a different colored pinni. All the balls positioned in middle square. On coaches command 1 player from each group collects a ball (nut) from the middle. Player dribbles ball back to their triangle (tree) – next player can go when the ball is stopped in the triangle. When the coach stops the game, the team with the most balls (nuts) in their triangle wins the game.

Alternatives

Easier – Instead of dribbling players use hands. Harder – One player from each group is allowed to steal a ball from the other team’s triangle.
You can also get them to pass it back to their team mate/parent

Numbers Games – 2 Goals

Set up a small grid, depending on number of players. Separate players into 2 teams as shown below. 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 placed. Players must attempt to score on their opponent’s goal while defending their own. Encourage celebrations after a goal!

Alternatives

Easier: have them just run it as a race with a ball in their hand and have them throw the ball in goal Easier (U4): Put two balls so each can score goals Harder (U6) – Increase number of players to 2 or 3 to encourage teamwork (grid size may need to increase to accommodate this.)  This may roll right into your small field scrimmage.

Scrimmage: 3 v 3, small field