U4/5 & U6 PIRATE & PPRINCESS DAY - Wed May 15

Get your pirate & princess costumes on wave your magic wands and RRRRR mateeeees have some fun!  Choose a few drills from the list.  You won't get through them all so choose the ones you would like to do.  Feel free to put in your own ideas and creativity around the theme!
Kendra will be at your practices this week.

Follow the Princess/leader....you start and then get the kids to choose the different things you will do.

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:
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



Jungle Run.....let's change it to CASTLE run?
see byte sized coaching under games or follow link below:
http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/204_jungle_run_u46.php

Pirates of the Carribbean   

To get into pirate mode.... What noise do pirates make?" The kids will make an 'arghhh' noise. Then you need to tell them that pirates & princesses love treasure and the treasure is down the other end of the island.

The kids will need to go one at a time and pick up one piece of treasure (cone/pinney/anything else you want to add in) and bring it back to the pirate ship.

1. To get the young 3 and 4 year olds to understand this game, play the first round without soccer balls.

2. The second time they should kick a soccer ball down with them.

progression

A nice  progression to this drill is adding cones so the kids have to weave in and out of them before getting to the treasure. By placing the cones down the players have to dribble the ball in different directions - not just straight.

http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/kids-soccer-drills.html

(diagram on the link)

skill:  passing - Pirate Pete
(can be found in Active start program)
Divide the players into two teams. Put the teams in two different pinnie colors. One team has to run through the channel to get to the treasure (balls). The other team kicks the ball to the player running through the channel mate trying to hit the other team with the ball below the knee as they run through. If players get struck by the ball they have to go back and try again. When players get to treasure (Ball) they bring back a piece back to their ship. Players change roles after a set time. Count the pieces (Balls) each team collects.
Variations Easier (U4): Players can role the ball rather than kick it. Players can carry treasure back in their hands. Parents can help. Harder (U6): Players can shoot the ball. Players can dribble both ways with the ball.
coaching points for passing:
-non kicking/planting foot next to ball
-non kicking/planting foot pointing at target
-strike ball with side of foot with ankle locked

Pirate Ship 

You will need to mark out an area big enough so that the young players can comfortably dribble their soccer balls around without constantly bumping into others. The kids (and yourself) will need a soccer ball each.

The game starts with each child having a ball at their feet and being told that the game is called the pirate ship and that the marked out area is the 'ship' they must stay on.

Begin simple by getting the kids to dribble around the ship and throw in a couple of coaching points such as inside/outside of the feet to dribble and changing directions.  Then one-by-one tell the kids to 'freeze' or stop and introduce a new command for them to do. This is where the fun starts and the soccer skills are implemented.

The different commands are as follows:

"The captain's coming" = the kids stop, place one foot on the ball and salute the captain by saying "ay, ay captain!"

"climb the riggin" = on the spot the kids do 'toe-taps' on the ball and with their hands climb up an imaginary ladder.

*****repeat previous commands - repetition is good in this game*****

"Scrub the decks" = on the spot the kids roll the ball backwards and forwards using the bottom of their foot. Use both feet!

"Polish the decks" = on the spot, this time the kids will move the ball from left-to-right using the bottom of their foot.

*****Remember to demonstrate each command every time and with lots of energy*****

"Starboard turn" = the kids (perhaps without knowing it) will learn a quick turn here known as the dragback/pull-back turn. Get the kids to stop, put one foot on the ball, and roll the ball behind them using the bottom of their foot.

"Man overboard" = the kids dribble quickly to the edge of the ship (area), place their foot on the ball, hand on their forehead as if their looking for somebody. On your command the kids wil continue dribbling.

"Fire the Cannon" = the kids kick their soccer ball using the inside of their foot as far away as possible outside of the ship toward other pirates. Once all balls have been kicked the kids can retrieve their soccer balls and carry on dribbling.

"Seagulls are coming" = You pretend to be a seagull who wants to eat their soccer ball. The kids on hearing this command will drop to the floor quickly and protect their ball with their body and hands. You should run around the ship with your arms out like a bird until you tell them to carry on dribbling.

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

Shark/British Bull Dog/Pirates (Thursday)?  

15 x 15 grid or so.  Have players (fish/pirates) with balls on one end of the grid and coach (shark) in the middle, the players need to get to the other side of grid to get to the sunken ship/pirate ship or to safety.  If the shark tags you before you reach the other side (then you become a shark/it too).  First round play no balls just running, second round play that the players need to dribble the ball to the other side.

http://www.coachingsoccer101.com/tag1.htm

Games, cheers, snacks!!!

U8 - practice plans - May 14 & 16

Great work again this past week coaches.  Your practices look great, kids are engaged and having fun and so are you.  Try to keep your instructions to a minimum and get the kids going and change your drills up often.  Don't forget to play the 10 minute game after warm up where they are scrimmaging.  The kids want to play and this gives them the opportunity to do so and then be able to focus on the skill session.  Keep your scrimmages at the end of practice to just your team as in a small sided scrimmage they actually get the opportunity to touch the ball more often and it provides you the opportunity to coach the theme.  You have a game each week to play another team.

Theme this week:  Goal Keeping

-we will look at the role of the goal keeper (review this with players)
-using hands and catching properly idea of scooping and locking the box
-rolling the ball out after save

Ready position
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDq4HlsZMY
Bowling technique and scooping and locking the box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3iUxCFfE
Catching Grips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDySzyVfUtY

Warm up:  GK ball  (10 min)
http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/27_gk_ball.php

-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 goals or make 5 mini goals to try and roll through
-may not run with ball
-no tackling only interceptions
-3 secs with ball before must move it

Agility/Tag type game:  5 min

Game:  10 minutes
Regular soccer with goal keepers.  Every time someone saves a goal or takes a shot they rotate into goal might be a way to quickly rotate goalies and give everyone a chance in net.

Circle Game/Drill
start with passing(review passing cues from last week) and then play same game with underhand rolling the ball to practice rolling again....bowling technique
http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/17_circle_game.php

Square Drill
Purpose:  to work on shuffling without crossing feet and quick movements while working on catching and rolling ball
 Check proper hand position and make sure keepers are using good footwork to get behind the ball and are moving forward to meet the ball. Remind them that anything above the waist requires a "fingers up" ("W") catch, below the waist is a "fingers down" (basket) catch.

-two squares, one in the middle which is smaller and then one on the outside...the smaller one on the inside is essentially four small goals that the keeper will side shuffle around the outside to receive a pass/shot, so have each small goal facing a corner on the outside.  Put two goal keepers in the middle and then a player with a ball on the outside at each cone.
Have the keepers shuffle around the outside of their cones and receive a shot or pass from each corner and then roll ball back...have them switch off positions when you feel they are ready.

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.

Game:  two teams, two goals, two goal keepers, play the beautiful game.  Coach goal keeping and starting out the play from a roll out.

U10 & U13 practice #3

If you are in a three team rotation, ensure you have completed practice #2 before moving onto practice #3.  Feel free to try things with goal keeping even spending time teaching proper punting.  Rory and I will be at your practices, either setting up a station, roaming or working with a team, we will tell you upon arrival.

Theme this week:  Goal Keeping

-we will look at the role and positioning of the goal keeper (review this with players)

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

-rolling the ball, throwing, punting out after save (reminding that rolling is easiest to control

Below a series of one minute videos on the techniques:

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

Warm up:  GK ball  (10 min)

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

two teams working on throwing & rolling and the pick up lock box

3 sec with ball, cannot run with ball

either two goals on either end of 20x30 grid or so or make 5 small goals

***look at progression for your age group too

Agility:  focus on side shuffle without crossing feet the first two drills after the game work on agility with goalie skills too if you want to incorporate these please do

Game:  Large grid, one goal made with cones in the middle with goalie (who is neutral) they always roll ball out.  To score must go through the cones and beat goalie.  Change goalie often.

The players can pass anywhere in the grid, attempting to get goalie to move and thus get best shooting angle

Basket catch drill in pairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjk94YHKU-g&feature=endscreen

Ladder drill - use cones as ladder rungs it progresses right through to diving, use what you like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-iJzPYHKAQ

GK circle game - basic

http://www.bytesizecoaching.com/secure/games/14_gk_circle_game.php

Triangle Goal Game 

This introduces more movement into the session and we add balls served off the ground. Place three cones or coaching sticks in an equilateral triangle with sides about 6 yards long. 10 yards from each side of the triangle is a server with balls; one keeper is in the triangle. The keeper moves out beyond the cones or sticks to face the first server, who strikes the ball at the keeper. The keeper then quickly moves to the next side of the triangle and saves a shot there, etc. You can do this as a timed activity (who can make the most saves in two minutes) or a counted activity (most saves per a fixed number of shots faced). 

 The keeper needs to move quickly from one "goal" to the next, finding good position and being ready to face the shot as soon as possible. Ask servers to vary their shots -- on the ground, low or high (but not over the keeper's head). Don't let the fact that the keeper is moving keep them from using proper hand position and getting their body behind the ball.

World Cup style shooting with goalies

Shots on Goal 

For the last part of the session, go to live fire. You can simply put shots on goal (could have the keepers come off one post, touch the middle of the 6-yard line or a cone in an equivalent spot, and then make the save). Or, you can put it into a more game-like situation (albeit with fewer shots) by playing 2v2 or 3v3 in a 35- to 40-yard field with two full-size goals. If you only have one frame, you can play "World Cup" style, with teams of two all attacking one goal against everybody else and the keeper. Rotate keepers every few shots. 

A small "pressure cooker" field like this, 40x30 yards or so with two full-size goals and a small-sided game in the middle, is a great way to end just about any goalkeeper training session. It allows for two keepers working at once with lots of shots in a match-like setting, and as a coach you can focus your coaching points on whatever the training topic is for that day.

GAME:  coach spacing and goal keeping especially starting the ball and using the goalie as a player on the field not just the goalie

regular scrimmage

Super Soccer Saturday Coaching clinics

Saturday May 25 is Super Soccer Saturday in Revelstoke.  BC Soccer & RYSA are bringing you two 3 hour age appropriate Grassroots coaching clinics.  This is another excellent opportunity to further your coaching skills and knowledge.  See the descriptions of the clinics below.  We are extremely lucky to have this opportunity to work with a BC Soccer 'coach' once again in town.  Each course comes with a binder of relevant age appropriate drills and material.  Again come ready to participate.
I personally always find these coaching clinics an excellent opportunity to expand the tool box.  Clinics should run opposite to your playing schedule.

Cost: FREE!

Coaching the u6-u8 Player (CLINIC RUNS FROM 12:30-3:30)

Pre-requisite: N/A Workshop Length: 3 hours Minimum Age: 16 years 

This Workshop is intended to introduce fundamental movement and soccer skills to players participating at the u6- u8 age groups. The workshop is designed to engage the coach, giving them an excellent opportunity to learn more about their role as a coach, methods to prepare and organize the practice, effective coaching techniques to manage the team and also connect with other coaches and work together through the Grassroots handbook.

Coaching the u9-u12 Player (CLINIC RUNS FROM 9-NOON)

Pre-requisite: N/A Workshop Length: 3 hours Minimum Age: 16 years

This Workshop is intended for coaches working with players in the u9-u12 age groups. The workshop is designed to introduce Principles of Play, which will enable players to begin to understand their role on the team. Fundamental movement and soccer skills are still essential components in the Learning to Train stage, as there are many specific windows of Development that need specific attention.

BLOG posts will be up Monday by noon this week, sorry for the delay.

U4/5 practice #2 - May 8

Are your soccer balls pumped up?

Great start last week, lets get moving into drills as soon as 4pm hits this week.  Ensure you're set up ahead of time.  Give lots of water breaks if it is hot.

Next week will be Princess & Pirate week and we will possibly try to do stations.  Either way tell kids that they need to dress up and so do you coaches!!

Warm up: Frozen Tag

Indy 500/Race track

(can be found in Active Start plan 2)

Creat an oval race track that kids&parents can run/drive around, with your cones and a square "pit" on one side with all the balls. "Start your engines"

Players start from “Pit row” with parents. Player starts by exiting the pits and dribbling the ball in a clockwise direction around the track following their parent. If the ball exits the track they must make 3 toe taps on the ball to restart the engine. Parent and player can switch roles with child following parents. Encourage players to make “Vroom! Vroom!” car sounds while driving!

Alternatives

**Easier – run the track first with no balls.**good idea so they understand the boundary and then make the next lap with balls. Easier – players carry ball in hands and run around track Harder – Have players drive the truck on their own. Harder – Switch directions and have drivers go counter-clockwise. Harder – Change direction before completing circuit on coaches’ command

Red light, Green light  

Players move around the grid dribbling the ball – when coach shouts red light players stop. Green light players go. Go speeding – players go faster. Crash - players dive on their ball.  Be creative, yellow light slow down etc...

Nuts and Squirrels 

(can be found in Active Start plans session 1)

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!  

Soccer Bowling

Soccer bowling (shooting/passing accuracy)

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

Need more?  Pick your favourite from last week!

Horn for games.

Don't forget lots of high 5's.  Cheer and high 5 at end of games!

AND Snack & Social!

U6 practice #2 May 8th

Good start last week, kids were having tons of fun.  Make sure you switch up the Activities quickly and that you pump up you balls ahead of time.  Remember to get there early and set up ahead of kids showing up.  If it's hot, give lots of water breaks.

Rory will be at your practices this week.

Next week - remind your players it will be Princess & Pirate week, dress up as Princesses and Pirates (that includes you coaches!!)  We will do stations.

Warm up- Simon Says in 20x20 or 15x15 grid
-hopping, jumping, running, high knees, skipping, move backwards, sideways
move to adding balls, dribbling, toe taps, rolling ball with sole of foot etc...

Soccer Island
Add two boxes, in two corners and create a story about soccer island and the fun house or whatever you would like to create to work on dribbling/ movement with the ball and other ball manipulative techniques
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsof4AMWQRo

Chain Soccer

Focus – Small sided Game 

Set up a small grid, depending on number of players. Separate players/parents into 2 teams as shown below. 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.

Alternatives

Harder (U6) – No parents. Ask children to link arms and work together to stop goals. Harder (U6) – Increase the # of players called into the grid to 2 or 3.

Topple me Coconuts 

(start teaching how to pass ball correctly...cues:
-non kicking foot next to the ball
-strike ball with side of foot, firm ankle, heel pointed down
-follow through to target

(Active Start session 8 and there is video too)

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. Encourage celebrations!

Or try soccer bowling:
Soccer bowling (shooting/passing accuracy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKGyrJGmJNk&feature=relmfu

Pac Man (also known as Kick the coach)

Gird (15x15), all kids have ball and try to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).  Working 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 all demos passing technique with cues.

Clean Your Room.

Split grid in half and place half of player in each half grid with balls.  They must PASS not kick ball into other half of grid, keeping your half or room clean until coach says done.  Count balls in each half.

Need more?  Pick your favourite from last week!

Horn for games.  Cheer, high 5's & Snack!

U8 - practice #2 - Passing (week of May 7 & 9)

Great start last week.
Please make sure you are showing up early to get set up AND also please make sure you have pumped up you balls before practice!  Also any equipment you might want to use (agility or arches) you need to go and get it out of the storage room and then return then one you're done.  Stick to the practice plan, don't let the kids talk you into doing something else, or you will lose them for the season and it is the kids who lose out in the end because they are not learning the skills.  Keep an eye on your watch, you should be switching things up every ten minutes or so AND don't forget to let them play their scrimmages!  Don't forget to have fun!!!

Passing cues:
-planting/non kicking foot next to ball, pointing at target
-strike ball with side of foot
-firm ankle
-follow through to target
-loose hips
(ensure you talk about weight of the pass and appropriate passing distance)

Warm up (5-10 min)

Pac Man Gird (15x15), all kids have ball and try to hit you with a pass (you don't want to be hit).  Working 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 all demos passing technique with cues.

Agility (5min) (hurdles, ladders etc... or play a game of tag or Simon Says with lots of different movement activities.

Game:  5-10 minutes.
Create end zones and to score they must complete a pass into the end zone.



Passing and Receiving Triangles
Simple drill passing and following your pass.  Working on receiving with one foot and passing with the other.
Just watch video to get idea of pattern of drill...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJk1Im2B3W0

Passing - with feeders
20x20/15x15 grid.  Put half the kids in pinnies (they are the feeders to start) and have feeders spread out around the grid.  The other kids are receivers, they cut to a ball and call for a pass, receive pass and pass it back to feeder, then cut to a new ball.  (good time to talk about weight of pass and appropriate passing distance (DEMO this)).  Then switch the feeders and the receivers.

Passing with gates/arches
Gates allow you to adjust the size
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pRJPd0FfuI (again video reviews coaching points)

Grid with arches/mini goals.  Pairs - one ball between two, one dribbling around grid, one following, when coach says passes, pairs find a mini goal or arch and do passes through the gates.  (coach can say a number or just have them pass until you say dribble again.  

Move to (take arches/gates out) and have one partner (one without ball) run around a cone on the outside and then call for ball and receive a pass then the partner that just passed runs around a different cone and receives a pass etc....  

Game: Scrimmage, split your group into two teams, two goals and play the beautiful game.  Coach passing, correct technique if you need to, spreading out so they can receive the pass etc...