Hey Coaches! Our first week went great, and kids seemed to have fun! Every week our goal is to have fun, and to encourage our players. The more fun they have, the more they will learn -even if that’s just how to run around within a square, or kick a ball to their friend. These are the building blocks of strong players.
As your team shows up give them a ball and have them play pass with each other, or with a parent.
When you change to a new drill, send the team for a REALLY quick water break (30 seconds) or have them working on their juggling, passing between each other, or be creative in how to keep them occupied. If you give them time to goof off, they will do just that and you will struggle to get their attention back.
In the Box!
It’s important that we teach our players to “get ready to play” and to get warmed up. So to start off, do the following: everyone will have a ball
- Start with dribbling around the box. Encourage players to change direction and not just go around in a circle
- Remember to take lots of small touches, and not big touches. The ball should never be more than 2 feet away from you at any time
- DO NOT use your toes, use the inside or outside of your foot
- As they get better at this, yell “stop” and have the players stop in place. Each time they are getting the hang of things, or you need to switch it up, do this and demonstrate one of the follow:
- Turn: Place foot on ball and roll it backwards as you turn
- Sit: Sit down on the ball until the coach says “up”
- Cut: With the outside of your foot, wrap your foot around the ball and push it in another direction (if they struggle with this one feel free to skip it)
- Change: Swap balls with another player by running up to them and gently passing the ball
- Outside: leave your ball and run to a cone on the other side of the box and run back to your ball
- Etc… Be creative. This is all about getting the players moving, and as many touches on the ball as we can.
Steal the Bacon
In your grid, place the balls in the middle in a straight line. Spit your team into 2 groups and have them line up on either end. When you say “GO” the goal is to run to the middle, and get a ball. Start with having them pick the balls up with their hands and carry the ball back to their end. Once they get the hang of it, get them to DRIBBLE the ball back to their end, once all the balls are at both ends, the game is over.
- Change things up by having the players start with laying down, and getting up when you say go or sitting facing the opposite direction. This will work on their coordination and ability to get up quickly.
- Another way to change it up is to number the players (1 to ?) and call out numbers, I suggest calling out 2 numbers at a time. Only these number can go and get a ball. Once each number has gotten a ball, call out another number. Keep going until all balls are gone
Superheroes
Have all players move around by dribbling in the grid. When you shout different superhero names, there are different things to do for each. Start simple with only one or two, and add as you go. Feel free to add some new superhero moves to this if you want too!
- "Superman" = everyone dives on the ball and lies with it under the chest with arms out like Superman
- "Batman" = put foot on the ball and pretend to fly
- "Spiderman" = put foot on the ball and pretend to shoot webs
- "Hulk" = pick up the ball and squeeze it and roar like the Hulk!
(Don't forget to demonstrate what these all look like!)
Other Physical Distancing Ideas
Here are some other ideas for covid friendly drills from the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association: (www.mayouthsoccer.org).
- U6 Session 1 -> https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/assets/61/6/2020_summer_6u_week_1_pd_plan.pdf
- U6 Session 2 -> https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/assets/61/6/2020_summer_6u_week_2_pd_plan.pdf
- U6 Session 3 -> https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/assets/61/6/2020_summer_6u_week_3_pd_plan.pdf
- U6 Session 4 -> https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/assets/61/6/2020_summer_6u_week_4_pd_plan.pdf
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