Age Group: 6-7

The main objectives of coaching children 6-7 years of age is giving reinstating proper kicking and dribbling of the ball and developing both basic techniques of keeping the ball in possession and learning to work together as a team.

At this age, they will begin understanding which direction their own goal is and begin stopping the ball with their legs. They will also be guided in understanding goal kick, corner kick, kick off and throw in and when the ball is "in" or "out" of play. Although not emphasized too greatly, children in this age group should begin to learn the different positions on the field.

The basic goals you are attempting to achieve with this age group are:

• Reinstating the proper way to shoot and dribble the ball
• Understanding possession of the ball and how to stop an oncoming ball.
• Developing basic techniques to keep possession of the ball while dribbling.
• Learning to work together as a team in passing and defending.
• Team support when defending and attacking and giving each other space to play.

Week

Goal

Teaching Tool

Game/Drill

1

Warm up

Go over the proper way to pass and dribble the ball.

Learning to be the one to take control of the ball.

Don't hold back when you run toward the ball even if an opponent is almost to the ball.

Stretches, runs, run-stops, etc.

2) Show the kids how to kick and pass the ball.

See attached pages: 1) How to Kick a Football (Soccer Ball) and

2) How to Teach the basic Push Pass

Understanding that the closest person to the ball DOES NOT have the responsibility to win the ball! Try to get to the ball first. Don't stop when you get close to the ball even if an opponent is near the ball too.

Perform basic stretches

Have the kids race from one goal post to the other.

Play kick the cone. Place cones in front of the goal box. Have the kids take 4-5 steps back and take turns kicking the ball toward the goal posts to see if they can knock over a cone.

Place the kids in two lines facing each other. Give them one ball to kick back and forth to the children in the line in front of them.

Stand halfway across the field with your foot on the ball, barely holding it. Have each player, one by one, come up and kick the ball from your foot. Do not try to stop them. After they have done this a couple times, start at the center of the field, dribble the ball toward them and have each child run toward you and take it away. Next, pair them up and let them practice attacking and taking the ball.

2

Learn how to stop the ball-

• Stopping the ball when it is coming to the player using the foot. Then dribbling the ball after it is stopped.

Learn how to turn and dribble the ball to keep away from an opponent

Show the kids how to use their bodies to stop the balls (No hands or heads!)

Show the children how to stop the ball. Give each child a ball and have them practice stopping. Next, gently kick the ball to them and have each take a turn stopping the ball. The kids can also be paired and practice passing the ball and stopping it with their feet. You can also set up cones and have them dribble after each stop.

Give each of the kids a ball and have them dribble around cones. You can also take the place of a cone and reach out as if to tag the player as he or she passes

3

• Learn how and where the different positions are set up during a game. (Attackers and Defenders only) (Remember, teach the roles of each player to all players! All children should play each position)
• Learning to work together as a team in passing and defending.

See Playing Field

Place cones on the field at each different position. Walk to the cones and explain each of the different positions. Kids will be able to try all the positions at this age and should be shifted from position to position.

Play Soccer Tag-Have one kid dribble the ball and try to tag the others with the ball. Whoever gets tagged, is "it".

Play a scrimmage game. Every 2-3 minutes, have players change positions with your calling out the names of the positions each will take. Make sure all the kids get a short chance at playing goalkeeper.

4

• Developing basic techniques to keep possession of the ball while dribbling.

• Developing a basic understanding kick off, goal kick, corner kick, kick off and throw in and when the ball is in or out of play.

See Basic Shielding. Show children how to shield the ball with the body.

Show the kids each of the different kicks/throw in when the ball is out of play.

The lessons are divided into four weeks. Each week, children will be introduced to a new goal. It is not imperative that they accomplish the goals to move on, only that they follow the principles and have a basic understanding of them through the games and exercises. There is no need to spend more than 2-3 minutes talking about the goals to the kids. They will learn them over time and by playing the games. In other words, we want the kids to learn by having fun!