8U Summer Technical Sessions

8USummer Technical Sessions

Session #1 Wednesday June 13th Thursday June 14th

Hurdles/Ladder Agility and Dribbling Grid: 25m Players: 10-12 ideally divided into groups of 4 to 6. Set Up: Hurdles or ladder then a short break before the dribbler. Chase Game where red has to go through hurdles ladder or other obstacle in order to chase the ball carrier in yellow who will see how many cones they can run through before being tagged. Coaching Points: Dribbler: Weight of touch (so ball is almost just touched around the cones minimal touches in between) Use all parts of both feet to dribble Chaser: Proper technique through obstacles Run through cones sticking close to cones.

The Square Dance • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players Each player should have a ball Players can dribble around anywhere within square, but should not walk Three Instruction are given: ”STOP” - Put foot on top of ball quickly and freeze like a statue ”GO” - Move right or left with the ball, fast, for three or four yards. ”TURN” - Quickly turn 180 degrees with the ball moving three or four yards. Coaching Points Keep Head up while dribbling Keep the ball under control and close to their feet. Accelerate after attempting move. Encourage different ways of turning on the ball. Insist on using both feet when dribbling.

Blob Tag • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. All players are inside the grid, everyone has a ball with the exception of the “it player” The “it” player moves around the grid and tries to knock other players balls out of the grid. When the “it” player is able to knock a ball out of the grid then the player becomes part of the “it” players new blob. The “blob” moves around grid and tries to kick any player’s ball out of the grid. If the players ball leaves the grid, he/she joins the “blob” Once the chain reaches 6 players it will break apart into two smaller chains. Last player dribbling is the winner. Progression Change available space Change the maximublob size Coaching Points Stay away from the “blob” Move into space (away from “blob”) Keep control of the ball Blob must work as a team.

Numbers Game • Equipment and Setup • Mark out a 20 by 25 m grid • Divide players into 2 teams, and assign each player a number • Each team attacks a goal. Coach starts with the balls. Players are number off 1 - 4 Players start on belly, when coach calls number and plays ball in. Players get up and attempt to win the ball and score on net. Progression Call multiple numbers Coaching Points Encourage Attackers to take on opponents Defenders should run back and recover even when beaten. Defender should stay on feet, in good defensive position.

Session #2 Wednesday June 20th Thursday June 21st

Move Like A Soccer Player • Equipment and set up: • Cones – 4+ • Players 3-13 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with cones use enough cones to make the area clear to the players. • Bring a big smile and lots of enthusiasm! • Give the players a drink break after this one to give them some time to calm back down. This is a fun activity for players of all ages. With young players it can be used to encourage the players to run, jump, roll and do other important movements in a fun and energetic environment. Activity Description – Have players moving about the square anywhere they would like to move, in any way they would like to move. After 30-60 seconds introduce them to movements like a soccer player. Still allow the players to move anywhere they like but encourage them to use the following movements. Forward Backwards Sideways Quick changes of direction Now move on to crazy movements encourage the kids to be a bit silly, and move in all sorts of different ways. Skipping Rolling Like Monsters Like Crabs Others that you can think of that might be fun

Find the Cone • Equipment and set up: • Cones – 4+ 1 per player • Players 3-13 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with cones use enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Plus have 1 cone per player participating • Bring a big smile and lots of enthusiasm! • Give the players a drink break after this one to give them some time to calm back down. This activity is a great extension from “Move Like a Soccer Player” start this activity by having the players place a cone anywhere they would like in the playing area. Then follow the directions below. Activity Description – Have players moving about the square anywhere they would like to move, in any way they would like to move. After 30-60 seconds introduce them to movements like a soccer player. Still allow the players to move anywhere they like but encourage them to use the following movements. Forward Backwards Sideways Quick changes of direction Progression: Once the players get used to the activity add in some of the following. Find the Cone: when coach says “cone” players have to find the nearest cone that is empty and run to it. Add in a ball and continue in the same way. If you have colored cones, then maybe give a color and see if they players can get there. Start picking up cones so there is no longer a cone per player (like musical chairs), first without a ball then with one.

1, 2, 3 • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. All players have a ball and our dribbling within the grid Coach issues commands that the players must execute while dribbling. Light Jog Light Run Full Sprint Execute a Move Turn and go in the other direction Stop Create your own, choose the activities you think might be fun Hold the ball between your feet and hop Do a summersault Coaches will give players idea on what to do for a move but allow kids to be creative and execute move on own. Coaching Points Keep Head up while dribbling Keep the ball under control Accelerate after attempting move

Racoon Tails • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Red Team: Start with a pinny, tucked into their shorts, like a tail. Try to avoid the blue players who will try to grab the tail. If they lose tail, they become a blue player. Blue Team: Attempts to steal the tail from a red play. If successful they tuck tail in and become a red player. Competition -- Coach will yell “stop” or blow whistle and check to see who has a tail before starting again. Variation All players have tails, players attempt to collect as many tails as possible 1 player starts as “it” as they steal tails they are joined by new “it” players. Play this game with and without a soccer ball. Coaching Points Stay low and balanced in order to react to opponents movement.

4 Corners • Set Up • Cones: Mark out a field about 20x25 with a goal on either end. • Balls: As many as possible. • Players: 6+ line players up in the 4 corners and give a start instruction have players enter the grid and fight for a ball. Coach starts with the balls. Coach calls a number 1,2, etc that number of playres come from each corner (coach calls 1 there will be 2 reds and 2 blues playing 2v2) Ball returned to coach and next ball played in. Players must work on defensive position to prevent opposition from scoring. Coaching Points Get to ball First Don’t rush with ball, decide if you will dribble, pass or shoot. Make it game like, attacking and defending.

Session # 3 Wednesday June 27th Thursday June 28th

Ladder and Hurdle 1v1 to single goal Grid: 20mx20m Players: 10-12 Set Up: Organize 2 obstacle courses that end facing each other, have players line up behind each course. Can be ladder or hurdle be creative with set up. There is a ball between the two lines, the players do through the course as quickly as possible, first to get to the ball is the attacker next player to get to ball is defender. Attacker tries to score as quickly as possible. Coaching Points Pay attention to technique while going through course Look to score quickly Be willing to go 1v1

North, South, East, West • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 12+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 to 15x15 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Add 1 small 4 m gate on each side of the grid (shown in blue) Use only North and South to begin with. When coach yells “North”, the kids must dribble through the North goal and then make their way around the outside of the grid and come back through the South goal. Vice-versa if coach calls “South” Once comfortable with North and South, coach can introduce East and West. Once players used to game coach can try to fool the players by pointing at a gate but yelling the opposite. Coaching Points Keep Head up while dribbling Keep the ball under control and close to their feet. Encourage a quick reaction to the commands

Pirate Game • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 8-10 • Set Up: Mark out a 15x15 grid with pug goal in the middle Build a circle with approximately the size of the center circle. With a pugg goal or another small goal in the center of the circle. 6 players with a ball, 3 without. Red - Pirates without the ball. Pirates are instructed to defend against with the ball. If they win the ball they attempt to score on the pugg net. If they score that player becomes a pirate. The last player remaining is the winner. Coaching Points Keep your head up and avoid the pirates. If ball is lost work hard to win the ball back before pirate scores. Keep the ball close and under control Pirates - Transition quickly from attack to defense Pirates - Focus on finding the target.

Noah’s Lark • Equipment and Set Up • A field that is 20 by 25 m with a net at either end. • Divide players into 2 teams 6v6, with partners assigned on each team: each partner given a number from 1 to 3. Coach shouts number 1-3 and rolls ball into play The two pairs with that number come out of the goal to compete against each other. Remaining players must stay on goal lie and defend goal without using hands. Goals can only be scored below knee height. When ball goes out of play coach can serve another ball in to another pair Ball can be played back to “goalkeepers”, no more then two touches Do not let goalkeepers move off the goal line, penalty shot if they do. Coaching Points When Defending one play need to challenge for the ball, other provide cover by marking the dangerous space. Encourage dribbling, passing and shooting for attackers

Session #4 Wednesday July 4th Thursday July 5th

Hurdle and Ladder into passing Grid: 15-20m Players: 10-12 divided across 2-4 grids depending on space. Setup: Obstacle at one end, and small goal at other (Can put a second goal on outsides and have 2 for center goal and 1 for outside goal. Players pass through obstacle course take a touch to set up their pass and then pass the ball between the cones. Points are scored with 1 point for a ball between the yellow cones and 1 point between the yellow and red cones. (could also be pug goal and triangle cones.) Coaching Points Focus on instructed technique when going through obstacle Have first touch out of feet at an angle on the side of the foot you want to pass with. Pass using inside of foot focusing on accuracy not power. Progression Have coach pass ball to players as they come through obstacle.

Kings Court Passing • Set up a series of cones 10-16 m apart • Have players stand opposite the cones facing each other. • Using 1 ball players take turns trying to knock over the cone in the middle. 2 players attempt to knock over the cone in the center. Progression Left foot only, right foot only. This drill can also be done with gates rather then one cone. Coaching Points Encourage approaching ball at 45-degree angle to open hips Toes up, ankle locked. Use in the inside of foot as striking surface.

Handball • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Players play handball by throwing and catching the ball to move it around the grid. Players have a limited amount of steps with the ball in their hands, and have to throw and catch. Make 10 consecutive passes in order to score a point. If you drop the ball the other team gets possession. Coaching Points Proper hand position – make a “W” behind the ball when catching it Body behind the ball to best catch it Move ball quickly, and move after you pass

Guard The Castel • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 5 per grid several grids for a team. • Players: 5 per grid • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Place 1 cone in the middle of the grid and place a ball on the cone. • Bring a big smile and lots of enthusiasm! 5 players, 1 is designated as the defender (Guarder of the castle) Take a ball and place it on the top of a disc cone in the middle of the grid, this will become the “castle”. The 4 attackers pass the ball around the defender in the grid and attempt to knock down the castle with a pass. Progressions Make grid smaller 3x3 grid around the ball that defender cant enter Require a certain number of passes Coaching Points Head up to find the pass Make sure players are moving around the grid to find the open space. Look to dribble and beat the defender before the pass.

Hit the Cone • Equipment and Set Up • Line 4 cones up along each end line with a ball on top of each cone. Players attack 4 cones and try to gain a point by passing a ball to knock a ball off the cone. 4 Cones along end line players try to knock over for a point. Progression -Add 3 touch rule to encourage lots of passing. -Add Goals and GK Coaching Points -Encourage 1v1 Opportunities. -Encourage change of pace on and off the ball. -Communication -Positive attacking play -Encourage dribbling into space

Hurdles/Ladder Agility and Dribbling Grid: 25m Players: 10-12 ideally divided into groups of 4 to 6. Set Up: Hurdles or ladder then a short break before the dribbler. Chase Game where red has to go through hurdles ladder or other obstacle in order to chase the ball carrier in yellow who will see how many cones they can run through before being tagged. Coaching Points: Dribbler: Weight of touch (so ball is almost just touched around the cones minimal touches in between) Use all parts of both feet to dribble Chaser: Proper technique through obstacles Run through cones sticking close to cones.

Anatomy Dribbling • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. All the players have a ball, dribbling within the grid. The coach will call out a specific body part and the player will have to stop the ball with that body part. Body parts to use: Heel, sole, laces, toe, thighs, rear, stomach, elbow, shoulders, forehead. Progression Use more then one body part. Coaching Points Keep close control of ball Eyes up seeing ball and space Avoid running into others

Sharks • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. One player is designated as the shark. The rest of the players have the ball and are dribbling around in the square. One “Go” the shark enters the square and tries to win the ball from the other players. Once the player has lost the ball they become a shark also. Progression Coaching Points Encourage proper body position when challenge for the ball As the number of sharks increase encourage cooperation between the sharks for win the ball from the opponents.

Ladder or Hurdle Into Dribbling Grid: 25m long Players: 10-12 (In groups of 3-5) Set Up: Ladder or hurdles set up to go through then a ball followed by a dribbling course. The course can be straight or at angles, or simply a line to dribble over, the below example is at angles. Player in red starts by moving through the obstacle using movements assigned by the coach, and then picks up a soccer ball and dribbles through cones. Make it fun by having 3 courses set up and have the players race each other. Coaching Points Focus on movements assigned by coach Dribble through cones as fast as possible Weight of touch so you touch the ball as few times as possible in between cones

Touch Tight • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 8-10 • Set Up: Mark out a 15x15 grid Red Team: Has possession of the ball, within grid attempts to dribble away from his blue partner. Blue Team: Attempts to maintain a “touch tight” distance from their red partner. Final Round: Competition -- Coach will yell “stop” or blow whistle, if player is not touch tight their will be a point awarded for the players . Progression Player with out ball can lead and player with ball can try to stay touch tight. When coach says “Stop” player with ball has to hit the player with out the ball in the feet. Coaching Points -Stay tight and be ready to react to opponents quick movements. -Stay low and balanced in order to react to opponents movement

Sharks • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. One player is designated as the shark. The rest of the players have the ball and are dribbling around in the square. One “Go” the shark enters the square and tries to win the ball from the other players. Once the player has lost the ball they become a shark also. Progression Coaching Points Encourage proper body position when challenge for the ball As the number of sharks increase encourage cooperation between the sharks for win the ball from the opponents.

TAG! • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Bibs: 2-4 depending on number of “it” players • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. • Bring a big smile and lots of enthusiasm! Kids love tag games, and they are a great game to make practice fun and exciting. Ask your young player if they have a favorite tag game from school, or the park, and use that. Some suggestions might be. Activity Description – Freez Tag – Players playing tag when the “it” player tags a player they are “frozen” in one spot until another player un-freezes them. Players can un-freez a player by: Running under their arms Crawling under their legs Or other ways (high five etc.) Blob Tag – Players playing tag when the “it” player tags a player they hold hands or link arms to begin a blob, the 2 players now try to tag other players and add to their blob. Blobs can get as big as coaches want, but at young ages 3 or 4 players is big enough. Tag – 2 or 3 players are it and they can hold onto a bib when they tag a player they give that player a bib and the tag player becomes it. Other Tag Games – Anything fun for a tag game you can think of, team tag, capture the flag (use a ball to dribble maybe), tag with a soccer ball.

Me and My Shadow • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. • Bring a big smile and lots of enthusiasm! This is a fun game for players to play in a pair with their parents, or another player depending on the age group. Basic: Players play follow the leader with no soccer ball, trying to keep close to the leader. When coach says “stop” everyone stops and we see how far they are apart. Players all have soccer ball and follow the same as above. Advanced: 1 Player with a ball 1 without player without ball follows player with ball trying to stay close. Player without ball follows player with ball. When players are chasing encourage them to change directions quickly, and change speeds to lose their shadow. Encourage them to use different styles of movement.

Fishes and Whales • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4 or at least enough to mark our the playing area • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Set up a 15x15 square with players at one end of the square, and 1 whale in the middle. This is a fun dribbling activity that keeps every player active with a soccer ball, get a coach or parent to act as the whale in the middle, or have the kids play this role. Set up players on one end of the square, their objective is to dribble all the way across the square and stop at the other side. Have 1 whale in the middle (start with a coach or parent, and allow the players to get back and forth across the ocean a couple of times). Once the whale knocks your ball out of the square you become a whale also, continue until everyone is a whale.

Numbers Game • Equipment and Setup • Mark out a 20 by 25 m grid • Divide players into 2 teams, and assign each player a number • Each team attacks a goal. Coach starts with the balls. Players are number off 1 - 4 Players start on belly, when coach calls number and plays ball in. Players get up and attempt to win the ball and score on net. Progression Call multiple numbers Coaching Points Encourage Attackers to take on opponents Defenders should run back and recover even when beaten. Defender should stay on feet, in good defensive position.

Session #8 Wednesday August 1st Thursday August 2nd

Handball • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 5-20 • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Players play handball by throwing and catching the ball to move it around the grid. Players have a limited amount of steps with the ball in their hands, and have to throw and catch. Make 10 consecutive passes in order to score a point. If you drop the ball the other team gets possession. Coaching Points Proper hand position – make a “W” behind the ball when catching it Body behind the ball to best catch it Move ball quickly, and move after you pass

Kings Court Passing • Set up a series of cones 10-16 m apart • Have players stand opposite the cones facing each other. • Using 1 ball players take turns trying to knock over the cone in the middle. 2 players attempt to knock over the cone in the center. Progression Left foot only, right foot only. This drill can also be done with gates rather then one cone. Coaching Points Encourage approaching ball at 45-degree angle to open hips Toes up, ankle locked. Use in the inside of foot as striking surface.

Guard The Castel • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 5 per grid several grids for a team. • Players: 5 per grid • Set Up: Mark out a 12x12 field with enough cones to make the area clear to the players. Place 1 cone in the middle of the grid and place a ball on the cone. • Bring a big smile and lots of enthusiasm! 5 players, 1 is designated as the defender (Guarder of the castle) Take a ball and place it on the top of a disc cone in the middle of the grid, this will become the “castle”. The 4 attackers pass the ball around the defender in the grid and attempt to knock down the castle with a pass. Progressions Make grid smaller 3x3 grid around the ball that defender cant enter Require a certain number of passes Coaching Points Head up to find the pass Make sure players are moving around the grid to find the open space. Look to dribble and beat the defender before the pass.

5v2 • Equipment and set up: • Cones: 4+ • Players: 8-10 • Set Up: Mark out a 20x20 grid Split players into 2 teams of 5. 5v2 in the grid. 5 attempt to keep possession away from 2. Start with handball rules, throwing and catching the ball. A “mistake” occurs when 5 lose ball and the ball is kicked out of play by the 2. Defenders can switch when 5 make a mistake or they can change on fly if tired. Switch roles after 4 mistakes have been made. Progression Change Available Space Have players pass ball using feet Coaching Points Get players to work “Off the ball” at creating passing angles for player with ball. Encourage use of the space. Encourage good passing technique, pace of pass and good first touch. Player “On the ball” should be able to hold up ball if players “Off the ball” not available.

8U Summer Technical Sessions