Theme: Introduction to space
Physical Literacy: Collision Avoidance, Object Manipulation – Feet

pdf of Session #6:  U5-U8 Player Development Sessions #6

Triangle Tag (10 min)
Purpose: To practice the skill of dodging (or feinting as it is called in soccer) and running, twisting, turning, stopping, starting and dribbling.

– Groups of four, one person ‘it’, other three players join hands to form triangle. 
– ‘It’ player tries to tag a designated player within the triangle (cannot go through triangle, must go around).
– The triangle can move and spin around to avoid the ‘it’ player.
– Switch players around so that everyone has a chance to be ‘it’.
– Progress to ‘it’ player dribbling a ball while players in triangle must hop on one foot. 

Follow the Leader Game (10 min)
Purpose: To make players aware of the common pathways used in soccer.

– Make 10 x 10 metre squares using cones and break players into groups of four; one group per square.
– One player, the player at the front of the single file line of group members, is the leader.
– He/She must lead the others along the perimeter of the square.
– The leader must also call out the pathway / direction that he/she is leading the group in.
– The directions would include forward, backward, sideways, diagonally (cutting from one corner to the other on an angle; show players what a diagonal is) and curved (leader takes players into center of square and goes around in a half a circle; show players how).
– When coach gives signal, the leader drops to the last and the second person in line becomes the new leader.
– Progress to having a second signal that means the lines change directions (the player who is last in line becomes the new leader). 
– Progress to using all space inside of the square.

Advanced Dribbling (10 min)
Purpose: To introduce specific techniques to players.

Dribbling Techniques (Matthew’s Move)
With the ball standing still:
– Jump to one side of the ball and balance on one foot, then push the ball with the outside of the other foot.
It is good to use the phrase, “Jump In, Push Out”.
Next, ask the players to dribble the ball and practice the Matthew’s Move while dribbling.

Dribbling Techniques (Scissors Move)
– With the ball standing still, have the players stand to one side of the ball:
– The foot closest to the ball moves around the front of the ball and is planted on the other side.
– The other foot goes around the back and then is placed beside the first foot (we like to tell young players that they imagine their legs as the two blades of scissors and they should open the scissors around the front of the ball, and then close the scissors by bringing the blade behind the ball).
– How fast can the players do this motion while the ball stands still (“Around – Behind”).

Instead of putting the foot beside the first foot, use the outside of the second foot to push the ball forward and to the side.
“Step in one direction, push the ball in the other direction”.

Practice both of these moves while moving. Emphasis should be placed on the player’s change of direction. 

Pirates Game (10 min)
Purpose: To help players learn to protect the ball when it is in their personal space as well as to make good use of general space.

– Two goal lines are established about 1/4 a field apart. 
– Most of the players stand spread along one goal line with a ball except for one player.
– One player stands at the other goal line without a ball and is referred to as the pirate (should make lots of pirate noises- ARRHHH!).
– On the coach’s signal all dribblers try to get their ball safely to the other goal line.
– The pirate tries to kick the ball away from as many dribblers as possible.
– If this happens, they become pirates too
– The last person or two with a ball become the new pirates for the next game; repeat 2 to 3 times.

Scrimmage (30 min)