Under Eight Exercises

Emphasis on individual abilities adding some pair activities.

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.

Try it in pairs. (beginning to teach them problem solving)

Try and see if they can bring it back in a number of passes or touches.

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.

Send all of the groups/individuals out and move to another area! (more problem solving)

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.

“Hospital Tag”

Players in a medium sized grid with one marker just out of the grid. This is the “hospital” where they have to go and get “treatment” (5 tippy touches on top of the ball, dribble around the marker three times, etc)

Players begin dribbling around the grid. The idea is to touch someone (tag). When they are tagged they have to put a hand on the “injury” and continue dribbling. When tagged a second time they have to put that hand on the “injury” and continue dribbling. On the third tag they have to go to the “hospital” and get “treatment” before returning to the grid.

“Pac Man”

Medium sized grid, start with two players with a ball, the rest running free. The players with the ball dribble around and try to hit the other players in the legs with the ball. If a player goes out of bounds make them do something similar to the “hospital” segment listed above. When a player is hit in the legs with the ball they must then go and get a ball and join the “pac men” until all players are tagged.

“Knockout”

Played in singles. Players dribble around with the ball and try to knock the others out of the grid. If a player can get to their ball before it stops rolling they can immediately re-enter the grid. If they cannot have them perform something with the ball (reference the “hospital” again) before they re-enter. If played in pairs make them perform “X” number of passes before they can re-enter.

“Random Gate Game”

Medium sized grid with multiple goals (gates) set up. In order to get a point the players must pass through a goal. As the exercise progresses add a time limit, ask them for suggestions on rules or add as necessary. If you ask them you are promoting their decision making process. You can also get parents to interact in the game by standing in a gate, hence “closing it” forcing the teams to find another goal. Randomly open and close gates to promote heads up play.

“Corner goals”

Variation of the random gate game except the goals are in the corners of the grid. Add gate keepers, time limits, etc.

“You’re outta here”

Medium sized grid with goals at each end. Players on each side of coach who has all of the balls. As soon as a ball is scored or goes out of the grid the players exit the grid and come around the outside edge. Another ball and another group (1v1 to 3v3) is put on the field. Have the players rotate lines.

“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)

“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.

“Home Base”

Large area with several smaller grids. Start with “taggers” and “dribblers” but have more dribblers. When play starts any dribbler who is tagged has to give the tagger the ball and becomes a tagger. If they make it into the smaller grid they are at “home base” and can stay there for a count of five, then must dribble again.

“Steal The Bacon”

Divide the team into two groups. (tell them I need two groups of X and let them work it out) Large grid with a goal on each side. Give each child on each team a number, 1, 2, 3, etc. Put the ball in the center and call out in groups of two or three “1-3-4” so that the corresponding numbered children run for the ball. Play should continue for 1-2 minutes or until the ball is out or scored. The ball is returned to the center and play starts again with a new group of players.