Training Guide For Grades 2 and 3
1 Fast Footwork Warm Up
Set out a square approximately 15 yards by 15 yards depending on the number of children. Players dribble around the square, moving into space and encouraged to keep their head up, no toes! Start with the inside of the foot, then the outside, bottom of the foot and laces. Incorporate turns during this warm up (coach demonstrates correct technique), starting with the basic hook turn and introduce a new turn each week.
2 King of the Ring
This is a great way to end the warm up and get the children to have a drink break. Each player dribbles around the square. When the coach calls out, "Go!" each child should try to kick out another players ball whilst keeping control of their own ball. Once a payer has their ball kicked out of the square they are not allowed to kick at another players ball. They must immediately go and retrieve their ball, return to the square and now they may continue in the game. After 2 or 3 minutes, the coach can change the rules so that now when a player has their ball kicked out of the square they are eliminated from the game and go to get a drink.
Progression 1. Divide the children into 2 teams that play against each other. Just like "Mud Monsters" when a player has their ball kicked out, they must retrieve their ball, return to the grid and wait for a player on their own team to dribble through their legs before the return to the game.
3 Beach Crabs
Set up a rectangle of cones 20 yards by 10 yards. This will be the beach. On one side of the beach is the ocean with sharks; on the other side are sharp rocks. Each child has a ball and they should try to dribble their soccer ball from one end of the beach to the other without going onto the rocks or into the ocean. On the beach, however, there are giant soccer ball eating crabs. Generally start with the coach acting as the fist crab. Crabs are sat down and can only move if they keep their hands and feet on the floor. They can't crawl on hands and knees or get up and run. The crabs' aim is to either kick any of the children's balls into the ocean or onto the rocks, or steel the soccer ball between their claws (their feet). If a child who is dribbling their soccer ball loses it to a crab or has it kick into the ocean or onto the rocks then they become a crab. Play until there is only one player not turned into a crab.
Progression 1. Instruct the children to only use one part of their feet to dribble the ball; right foot only, left foot only, inside of the feet only, outside only or bottom of the feet only.
Progression 2. It maybe necessary to enlarge the grid for this game. Divide the players into 2 teams, half of which are crabs. The other players must try to pass the ball around the crabs. Complete 10 passes for a goal. Each pass must be at least 5 yards in length. Crabs score a goal if they can kick the ball out of the area or they catch it between their claws. Play to 3 goals then swap teams over.
Progression 3. Limit the number of touches a child can have before passing the ball to encourage passing rather than dribbling.
4 Siamese Twins
Set up a rectangle of cones 15 yards by 15 yards. All balls except one should be left outside the area. Divide the children into pairs. They should hold hands with their partner and move around inside the area. The coach starts with a ball and dribbles around the area then tries to pass the ball to hit the ankles of any pair of children. If hit, both players should go and find a ball outside the area then come in to help the coach strike the ankles of any remaining players. Play until the final pair is left.
Progression 1. Each child is no longer required to hold hands with a partner. This means the target is much smaller and they can change direct and speed more easily meaning the ball player needs to be much more accurate. Coach should emphasize to the players the need to pass the ball in front of their target.
5 Indiana Jones
Set up an area of cones 10 yards by 20 yards and each child has a ball. Children must dribble their ball from one end of the area to the other. The coach stands half way along the side of the area and when the children dribble across, the coach passes a ball to try to hit the soccer ball of any of the players. If a child's ball is hit they join the coach on the side and try to hit other players balls during the next go. As players join the coach they should go on opposite sides of the grid so that balls are passed across from both directions.
Progression 1. Children are only allowed to dribble the ball with their weaker foot.
Progression 2. Children must do a trick with the ball before they complete dribbling from one end to the other.
6 Through The Gates (Dribbling)
Set out pairs of cones about 1 yard apart covering a total area approximately 20x20 yards. Each pair of cones represents a gate. Each child has a ball. Time how many gates the players can dribble through in 30 seconds. Go over coaching points such as a) soft touches on the ball when dribbling, b) head up, c) only go towards open gates. Repeat for another 30 seconds to look for improvement. Try a third time to see if players can make their best score.
Progression 1. Players can only dribble with the outside of their feet.
Progression 2. Players must dribble with their weaker foot only.
Progression 3. Players must do a trick as they go through the gate.
7 Through The Gates (Passing)
Set out the cones as in 6 above. This time the children are divided into pairs with a ball between two. The player that begins with the soccer ball must dribble up to a gate then pass the ball along the ground to their partner. This player then dribbles the ball to another gate where they return the pass. Time how many gates the players can pass through in 30 seconds. Go over coaching points such as a) soft touches on the ball when dribbling, b) head up, c) only go towards open gates, d) make a simple push pass e) don't kick the ball too hard or in the air. Repeat for another 30 seconds to look for improvement. Try a third time to see if players can make their best score.
Progression 1. Players can only dribble with the outside of their feet.
Progression 2. Players must dribble with their weaker foot only.
8 Coconut Shy
A simple fun game to help basic passing. Each player has a partner with a ball each. For each pair, set out 3 flat marker cones in a line about 7 yards apart. One ball is balanced on the centre cone and the two players must be behind opposite outside cones. One player begins with the ball and passes from behind their cone to try to knock the other ball from the center cone. If the center ball is knocked from its cone a goal is scored. The players take it in turn to knock the center ball off the cone. Play to 3 or 5. Demonstrate push pass technique.
9 The Numbers Game
Set out a small soccer field approximately 20x30 yards. Children are divided into two teams and each player is given a number. They must sit by the corner flag near their own goal. A soccer ball is passed into the field by the coach. When a child hears their number called, they should enter the field through the back of their goal, try to win the ball and score a goal at the opposite end of the field.
Progression 1. Coach can call more than one number at a time so that the children play 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4. To encourage passing the coach can insist that one or more passes are made before a goal can be scored if more than one number is called out.