U6 Practice #2 May 6/15

Great job last week coaches!  It was nice to see everyone at the field early and ready to roll on time :)  

Please note that next week (May 13) is Wacky Wednesday and we will do stations (more on this next week).
Dress up in your favourite costume.  Theme:  anything goes from princesses to superheroes to animals... or some kind of mix - it's Wacky Wednesday!


Focus skill - PASSING
Skill Points - non kicking foot next to the ball
                   - strike ball with side of foot, firm ankle, heel pointed down
                   - follow through to target


1. WARM UP - Donkey Tails
Half the players are given a pinny to tuck into the back of their shorts as a tail.
Coach shouts “Go!” and 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.

2. Topple me Coconuts:
(See Active Start coach resources Week #2)
Outline your grid with tall cones and place balls on top like coconuts.  (There will be extra balls and cones for you to use in the wagons for this game)
Split players into 2 teams and have them line-up on opposite sides of the grid.
Players 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. Encourage celebrations!
Or Circle Game (in byte sized coaching binder)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S48DgGpmq-o


3. Soccer Bowling:
The name is as it suggests and the video makes it self-explanatory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGyrJGmJNk&feature=relmfu


4. Pac Man (also known as Kick the Coach; kids LOVE this game!)
All players have a ball and are dribbling in the grid and trying to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).
Work on good passing technique.  You may have to create a zone for you that the kids can't enter (small square in middle of grid and then move to no square and everyone moving).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9AJNANVrRA
This video demos passing technique with cues.


5. Clean Your Room.
Split your grid in half with cones across the centre, and make 2 teams.
Each team starts with same amount of soccer balls.
When you say "Go!" players must try to keep the balls (laundry? toys?) out of their "room" by kicking them into the other team's half.
When coach say "Stop!" players freeze and count up the balls to see who wins (least amount of balls/laundry/toys in grid wins).
Play again!

http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/backyard-soccer.html


6. Chain Soccer
Focus – Small sided Game
Set up a small grid, depending on number of players.  Use parents to partner with their child.
Separate players/parents into 2 teams and place on opposite side of the grid.
Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. That numbered player/parent combo from each team enters into the field to challenge for the ball. Players try to score on opposing side while defending their own side. Parents and players not called can act as goalies on their side.
To make it harder: play without parents; ask children to link arms and work together to stop goals; increase the # of players called into the grid to 2 or 3 at a time.
(see Active Start coach resources Week #1)


When the horn blows at 5:40, it is GAME TIME!
This age group plays 3 v 3 on the field, plus the goalie.  Make sure you are switching players and positions often.  I did mess up the numbering on the field last week, but it will be corrected this week to make things easier.
Don't forget the cheer at the end!  


AND... make sure you are having FUN !!!