Under Six Exercises

Emphasis on individual abilities.

Movement education (teach how to kick, how to run)

Body education (foot, hand, left, right)

Talk to them at their eye level, bend over, squat, etc.

“Bring It Back”

Coach in center of kids. Throws balls out 5-10 yards and has players bring it back to them.

After a few successful efforts ask them to bring it back using only their feet.

After a few more successful tries have them bring it back with the left or right foot.

Ask them for ideas on how they could bring it back to you. There is no wrong answer! This gives them a chance to exercise some creativity.

Balance on one leg, stick one leg out and your hands in front of you like Superman. Ask who can do this? Change legs. (movement education, balance)

Hop back and forward on each foot. (movement education)

Throw the ball up in the air, clap, catch it. After they can successfully do this then try walking around doing it. Move to two claps.

“Who can do something special”

Kids around the coach in a group. Ask if anyone can do anything special with a ball. After they demonstrate ask the rest of the kids if they can do it. Use the first child as the model again for demonstration purposes. Once again, there is no wrong! Can also be played as “who can do this?” by throwing the ball in the air and trapping it against the ground under the foot, etc.

“Body Part Trap”

Small grid, players dribbling around. When the coach calls out a body part the kids stop the ball with it. “Head, Ear, Arm, Shoulder, Foot, Knee, etc.” After the game is going in good fashion ask the kids what else you can trap with. Use the suggestions. (movement education, body education, balance)

“Gate Dribble”

Medium grid with a series of grids. Players dribble around the grid going through gates. Ask for suggestions on how players can go through the gates.

“Boss of the balls”

Medium grid, two groups beside coach who has all the balls. Roll a ball out and let two to four players go after it. All they have to do is dribble/shoot to one of the end lines. When the ball is out of bounds the next group starts. Spread the ball around the grid and deviate the distance and side it is sent to. Add goals as they become more comfortable with the activity.

“Cone Touch”

Medium sized grid with cones scattered around the area. Start with the one rule that the players have to dribble around the cones. As they become comfortable with the activity tell them they have to touch the cones as they go around them. You can add more specifics as they grow, touch with a specific hand, go around with a specific foot, etc.

“Simon Says”

Similar to body part dribble but in a different format.

“Keep Your Yard Clean”

Divide the teams into two groups and put them each on a half of a medium grid. In the center of the grid is a small area where no player can go. On command each team tries to rid their side of all of the balls in their half and kicking them to the other side. After an appropriate amount of time (losing interest or the balls are too scattered) call time and count the balls on each side. If there is still interest try playing again.

“Red Light Green Light”

The age old classic. Give them time to stop before turning around!

“Snake Dribbling”

Three players per group. Player “A” is the head of the snake and does not have a ball. Player “B” has a ball and tries to follow player “A” Player “C” is the tail of the snake. After 1-2 minutes let them swap positions.