Training Guide For Grades 4, 5 and 6
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 Pinball
Set up a rectangle of cones 15 yards by 8 yards, depending on the ability of the children. Divide the children into two teams with each team standing outside the long side of the rectangle. Each child has a ball. A ball that is a different color (object ball) from all the rest is placed in the center of the area. Children should try to pass their ball to hit the object ball and knock it over their opponent's line. Players may not stop the object ball with their feet; they can only pass their own ball into it. Play is continuous until the object ball has passed outside the area. If the object ball is knocked out the side the coach can pass the ball into the center again. Players may retrieve soccer balls from anywhere on their own side of the area. Balls can only be kicked from behind the end line. Soccer balls are to be passed using the inside of the foot only.
4 Turnaround Shooting
Set up a series of goals along one line using pointed cones. About 10 yards either side of the goal will be children with a ball prepared to shoot (the strikers). A goalkeeper will be in each goal. The X and Y strikers take it in turn to make a shot at goal. Goals should be the same width as used in games.
Progression 1. Use the weaker foot to shoot.
Progression 2. Take the ball back 2 yards to make the shot. Use the laces for shooting from distance.
Progression 3. Divide children into groups of 5, one goalkeeper and two players on either side of the goal. Now one player plays a give and go with the other player and now strikes a moving ball at the goal.
5 Keep Away
Set up an area of cones 10x10 yards for each group of 4 children with one soccer ball per group. Play 3 attackers against 1 defender (play 4 attackers against 1 defender with younger or less able children). The attackers must try to make 10 uninterrupted passes to score a goal. Defenders should try to intercept a pass and kick the ball out of the square to score a goal. The first pass is a free pass that can't be intercepted. Play first to 3 goals then rotate defender.
Progression 1. Allow a maximum of 2 touches of the ball before a pass is made to another attacker. This will reduce any dribbling that may occur and requires swifter movement from those players without the ball.
Progression 2. Passes should now be made with the weaker foot.
Progression 3. Now make the square 20x20 yards and play 6 attackers against 2 defenders. Same rules apply and progression 1 and 2 can be added to this game if players are successful. To encourage players to spread out attackers can be made to run around a cone on the outside of the square after making a pass before they can rejoin the game.
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 The Numbers Game (4 Goals)
Set out a small soccer field approximately 30x30 yards. Children are divided into two teams and each player is given a number. They must sit between their two goals. The coach passes a soccer ball into the field. When a child hears their number called, they should enter the field through either 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.
9 The End Zone Game (Dribbling)
Set out a small scrimmage field about 30x40 yards. Just like an American Football field, mark out an "End Zone" with cones at either end of the field. Divide the players into 2 teams. This game follows the same rules as a small-sided game but there are no goals. A team scores by dribbling the ball into the offensive "End Zone". Players may not stand in the "End Zone".
10 The End Zone Game (Passing)
This game is tactically and technically difficult for some children to understand so should only be attempted with older and more able players. Set out a field just like the "End Zone" dribbling game and again divide the players into two teams. Normal small-sided game rules apply. To score a goal a player must pass the soccer ball from outside the End Zone they are attacking for a fellow player to control within the End Zone.
In the example above, A1 passes to A2 who then makes a pass to within the End Zone. A3 runs from the field of play into the End Zone and controls the ball, placing the bottom of the foot on the ball to score a goal. Players may only spend 5 seconds in the End Zone at a time, then they must return to the field of play.
To help the flow of the game the coach may join in as a free player who plays for both teams but does not tackle. A free player always plays for the team in possession.