coaching info under 6's

SUFFOLK PARKSUFFOLK PARKSUFFOLK PARKSUFFOLK PARK

FOOTBALL CLUBFOOTBALL CLUBFOOTBALL CLUBFOOTBALL CLUB

PO. Box 37. Suffolk Park. NSW. 2481President: Chris Lonergan; Secretary: Paul Scharka

Under 6's Coaching Information- Aim & Objectives

- Soccer Drills- Skills & Tricks

Aims:We would like all coaches to aim to achieve the following:

– Create and environment that is fun, supportive, and inclusive.

– Encourage competitive, fair, and sporting play.

– Encourage Parents to provide only positive commentary during games.

Objectives:As a coach of teams from ages 6 – 8 there is no focus on results, the only objectives are to develop the child’s skill, confidence, team work, and ensuring that Football is a fun thing for them to do. If you have any issues or would like further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the club.

Training Session Plan 60min:Always try to arrive at training around 10mins-15mins early to allow yourself time to get ready and set up the training area.

Time (70mins) Focus Description

10 Prepare Get boots on set up field, Goals, cones, etc

10 Warm Up Run 1 lap, stretching, and play tag or chain ups to make it fun.

15 Skill & Trick Training Choose a skill to match theme of training

15 Drill Game using skill Choose a drill to match theme of training

10 Conditioned Game Choose a game to with rules to match theme of training

10 Unrestricted Game Free play with normal rules

5 Warm Down Stretching and positive feedback on the training session

Please see on following pages lists of some attached information on:- Drill Games- Skill & Turns- Conditioned Games

Coaching Coordinator: Tai Lonergan (Mobile 0438 363 821) Email: ([email protected]) 1




Under 6 Drills

Pages Code Drill Name Time Set Up Drill Time Focus

3 - 4 U6.1. Don't Crash the Car 2mins 13mins Dribbling

5 - 6 U6.2. Stuck in the Mud 2mins 13mins Dribbling & Talk

7 - 8 U6.3. Flintstones 2mins 13mins Dribbling & Speed

9 - 10 U6.4. Cowboys & Indians 2mins 13mins Passing & Speed

11 - 12 U6.5. Numbers Game 2mins 13mins Dribbling & Passing

13 - 14 U6.6. Doctor Doctor 2mins 13mins Dribbling, Tackling, & Talk

15 - 16 U6.7. Sharks & Minnows 2mins 13mins Dribbling & Speed

17 - 18 U6.8. Triangle Challenge 2mins 13mins Dribbling & Speed

Skills & Turns & Conditioned Games

Pages Code Drill Name Difficulty

19 Sk.1. Inside Roll Easy

19 - 20 Sk.2. Step and Push Easy

20 Sk.3. Inside Roll and Touch Forward Medium

20 Sk.4. Inside and Under Medium

20 Sk.5. Donovan – Inside-Inside, Outside Medium

20 - 21 Sk.6. Scissors Medium

21 Sk.7. Double Scissors Medium

21 - 22 Tu.1. Drag Back Turn Easy

22 Tu.2. Outside Hook Turn Moderate

22 Tu.3. Inside Hook Turn Moderate

23 Tu.4. Stepover Hook Turn Moderate - Hard

23 Tu.5. Cruyff Turn Moderate - Hard

24 CG.1. 3 Goal Football Easy

24 CG.2. 4 Goal Football Football Easy

24 CG.3. Goal Line Goals Easy

24 CG.4. Limited Touch Football Moderate

24 CG.5. Restricted Passing Moderate - Hard





U6.1. Don't Crash The CarPreparation

Have a look at the straight-forward set-up for this drill below. All you will need is the kids to have a soccer-ball each and a coned off area big enough for the amount of kids you have to dribble around comfortably. You will want to make a square that is approximately 1 step for each player, therefore 6 players is approximately 6m X 6m.

Figure. D1. Don’t Crash The Car

Source: http://www.freeyouthsoccerdrills.com/free-soccer-drills.html

Explanation

You begin by telling the kids that this game is called 'don't crash the car'. Get the kids a soccer ball each and get them close to you. The object of the game is not to crash your car.

- "What do you think the car might be?" The kids will respond eventually with the soccer ball.

- "How do you think we could crash our cars?" By dribbling in to other people or falling off the edge of the cliff (outside of coned area).

The first command you give is:

- 'Green Light' ~ this means the kids dribble their soccer balls around without bumping into others or going off the cliff edge.

- 'Red Light' ~ the kids stop dribbling and put one foot on top of the ball and remain still.

- 'Yellow Light' ~ the kids will assume this means go slower however it means go faster whilst still keeping control of the soccer ball.





*****In all these types of youth football drills you need to keep the coaching points going. I.e. inside/outside of foot to dribble and keeping the ball close to you.*****

- 'Honk you horn' ~ just for fun but the kids love it. Get the kids to sit on their ball and honk their imaginary car horn and make loads of noise!

- 'Red light Turn' ~ the kids know that red light means foot on top of ball. The turn comes when they roll the ball behind them and follow the rolling ball. This is coaching them to do the drag-back turn.

- 'wind-screen wipers' ~ the kids stop, put one foot on the ball and move the ball from left-to-right.

*****These youth football drills will be played over and over by the kids because there fun. That's great... but keep introducing new coaching points and skills.*****

- 'Gas station' ~ tell the kids that we're running out of gas and need to find the gas station. Get the kids to dribble over to one corner of the area and on your command the kids will do toe-taps on the ball which is pumping gas into the cars.

- 'Car wash' ~ all of the cars are filthy dirty and need a clean. Get the kids over to another corner of the area and get them to wash their cars by knocking the soccer ball with the inside of both feet from side-to-side.

- 'Police chase' ~ this ones great. The coach is the police-officer who tries to steal the kids soccer balls. The kids to evade you, will do the red-light turn to face away from you (change direction) showing them that it could work in a game.

Many more youth football drills such as these can be seen on the other pages of the website.

Progression

There are plenty of little things you could add to make this game suitable for your own team. New skills, turns and tricks are always good.

Coaching Points

-> Make sure the kids use little touches and demonstrate what happens if you kick the ball too far in a game.

-> Make sure the kids use the inside and outside of their feet whilst dribbling - not their toes.





U6.2. Stuck In The Mud

Preparation

Have a look at the straight-forward set-up for this drill below. All you will need is the kids to have a soccer-ball each and a coned off area big enough for the amount of kids you have to dribble around comfortably.

One child will not have the ball and will be the mud monster.

Figure. D2. Stuck In The Mud


Explanation

Stuck in the mud is a simple drill. You will need one child to volunteer as the mud monster and the other kids to have soccer balls at their feet and dribble around the area.

Once you say 'go' the mud monster will try and tag the other kids with soccer balls. Football training drills like this put real emphasis on shielding themselves away from opposing players.

Once a child has been tagged they pick-up their soccer ball and hold it above their head as shown in the centre of the diagram. The kid who has been tagged will then shout 'help, i'm stuck in the mud'.

To rescue the kid who has been tagged, another child must kick (pass) the ball between the players legs to free him.

The game continues until the mud monster has tagged all players and no-one can therefore be rescued.





Progression

There are plenty of little things you could add to make football training drills like this suitable for your own team. You could say that the mud monster has to kick players balls out of the area in order to make them stuck, with the kid collecting their ball and returning.

If the kids are struggling to rescue people because the mud monster is too quick, offer a safe 'no-catch' option. If a child is stuck in the mud they can hold their ball in one hand and offer there other hand to a kid who's not yet been caught.

Once the two kids are holding hands neither can be caught and the free kid then passes his ball between the legs of the caught player.

Coaching Points



-> Make sure the kids focus on accurate passing and do not get too flustered once the mud monster comes.





U6.3. Flintstones

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below. The players will be split up equally into the four corners as shown with soccer balls placed in the centre.

Figure. D3. Flintstones


Explanation

This drill is a competition of speed and accurate dribbling. The four separate teams from each corner will compete to get the most soccer balls back to their homes. Tell them that they are the Flintstones and they need rocks to build their homes stronger (which will be the balls).

On your command one person from each corner will run toward the centre, collect a soccer ball and dribble it back to their starting point. Once all of the soccer balls have been collected count up the amount of balls and award a point to the team with the most.

The next game is the same but this time the players will dribble the ball into the middle, one at a time from each corner, and run back to their starting point until all the balls are back in the centre.

***There are so many variations to this game and I will show you a few next - lets keep these soccer drills educational too!***





Next, the players should do the same as the first game, however, this time when they collect a ball they must do the drag back turn. Demonstrate this turn with them.

"foot on top of the ball, roll the ball behind you, turn and follow the ball".

Keep playing this game throughout the season until you have covered many new turns such as the inside hook, outside hook, cruyff turn and step-over to name a few.

***As well as free soccer drills, you can see free skills and tricks by clicking on the below link***

Progression

A nice little way to end this game is by having a free-for-all collect and return game.

All the players run off at once to collect a soccer ball (only one at a time) and take it back to their starting point. They must keep going to others 'houses' to steal a ball and take it back to their own home.

The players are not allowed to take a ball that is being dribbled nor can they protect their own balls from being stolen.

Coaching Points



-> Demonstrate every turn that you use and show the players how this could work in a game situation.





U6.4. Cowboys & Indians

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below. The players will be lined up at one end of the grid with only one player (or coach) to the side with a ball.

Figure. D4. Cowboys & Indians


Explanation

With the young players lined up and ready to go the coach can begin the game. On the word 'GO!' the players will run toward the other end of the marked out area. The coach will pass the ball in the direction of the players and try to hit one of them below the knee. Football drills such as this one will always entertain the young children due to it having a true 'play around game' feel to it.

It is a good idea to let all the kids get to the other end first time round and then aim to hit one of them on the next go. Once a player has been hit they will join the coach on the side and be given a ball. All football drills need to teach the players something as well as being fun. In Cowboys and Indians the emphasis is on passing the football. Get all the kids around you and demonstrate the 'ABC' of passing.

- 'A' is for 'Approach' with one foot next to the ball. - 'B' is for 'Body' with the players body slightly over the ball and in the correct position. - 'C' is for 'Contact' of the ball using the side of the foot.

Get the kids to repeat the ABC of passing regularly in these types of football drills.





The game then continues with the coach and already hit player trying to get the rest of the team as they run past. The winner will be the last person remaining.

Progression

Drills that you have seen on TV or by other coaches can always be modified to suit your team or individual players. There is a really good progression that you can use in this game. Start once more with the coach on the side lines and the players at one end. However, this time the players will have a soccer ball each and have to dribble the ball carefully to the other end. The coach will try to hit the players legs or ball.

You could also have the kids dribble down to the bottom of the marked out area and then have to do a turn (drag-back e.g.) and go straight back to the other end.

Coaching Points

-> Demonstrate clearly the ABC of passing and get one of the players to show everyone else.




-> Make sure the kids change direction frequently and keep their heads up to see where they are going and ensure they do not bump into anyone.





U6.5. The Numbers Game

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below. A very easy set-up, you almost don't need a marked out area but it makes it easier keeping track of the younger players.

Each player and the coach will need a ball each.

Figure. D5. The Numbers Game


Explanation

Youth football drills like this one are ideal for warming-up at the beginning of your session. As the coach, you need to know this drill off by heart or have it written down. The coach will need to sing/chant one verse and then get the players to repeat it. After they have done this the coach will demonstrate what the chant represents and what actions the players must follow after they have repeated the verse. After the players have completed the task and you are ready to move on just go back to the first verse. Coaching youth football drills like this one are so much fun.

The numbers game song goes as follows (best done in the tone of a military chant):

1. "Number one is on the run" - The players must dribble their ball around the area.

2. "Number two is sole of the show" - The players stand still and role the ball in different directions using the





bottom of their foot.

3. "Number three is follow me" - The players will follow the coach in whatever he decides i.e. dribbling/tricks.

4. "Number four is head to the floor" - This one is fun and will require the players to lie down and use their ball as a pillow.

5. "Number five is stayin' alive" - (this comes from the beegees song) The coach says the first part and the players reply with "aah, ahh, aah, aah stayin' alive" whilst doing toe-taps on the ball and moving one arm diagonally up and down just for fun.

*** Remember, coaching youth football needs to be energetic - especially this drill. Also, don't just repeat the numbers all the way through. Start with one and go back to the first verse after every new number. ***

6. "Number six is do some tricks" - Allow the players to do their own tricks and skills.

7. "Number seven is down from heaven" - The players will throw the ball in the air and attempt to trap/control the ball.

8. "Number eight is swap with a mate" - The players will pass their ball to someone else and receive another ball, passing into space if necessary to avoid balls clashing.

There are other numbers, but the game can go on too long if your not careful. Remember to go back to the lower numbers frequently after presenting a new number.

Progression

Coaching youth football drills such as this one are great for progression and allowing each coach to put their own mark on the game and alter as they so wish.

Coaching Points

-> Demonstrate clearly the ABC of passing and get one of the players to show everyone else.









U6.6. Doctor Doctor

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below. You will need a marked out area larger area with two smaller areas for the 'doctors houses'. The players need to be split into 2 teams and everyone except two players will need a ball each.

Figure. D6. Doctor Doctor


Explanation

Two teams battle it out to win this game of doctor doctor. Each team will need a doctor who will start in their smaller area (doctor house) without a ball. All the other players start somewhere inside the larger area with a ball each at their feet.

Youth football drills like this one are fun but it is important to coach the necessary points at all time. The object of the game is to try and kick the other teams balls outside of the area and retain yours. If a players ball is kicked out of the area they must leave it and go to ground shouting 'doctor, doctor help!' This player can only retrieve their ball and stand up and carry on once their teams doctor has tagged them.

To win the game, a team must pass/kick their ball at the other teams doctor once they come out to tag their





team mates who have had their ball kicked out. This game may sound complicated but it really isn't. The doctors cannot be shot at if they are in their doctor houses. This will encourage the players with balls to attempt to tackle the other players and kick their balls out of the area.

The players who are kicking the ball at the doctor must aim for a pass to hit below the knee. Youth football drills like this one need explaining and demonstrating step-by-step until the players understand what they must do. It is also okay to stop the game half way through to show a coaching point. There are many coaching points that should be coached in this game.

*** Demonstrate clearly how to shield the ball using your body! ***

Progression

It is important to change the doctor after every game to allow each player to have a go with the ball at their feet. Give a team a point for skilful or clever play such as doing a turn or a trick or changing direction well with the ball at their feet.

Coaching Points

-> Demonstrate clearly the ABC of passing and get one of the players to show everyone else how the doctor could be hit.









U6.7. Sharks & Minnows

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below for this Sharks & minnows game. You will need a marked out area with all of the young players at one end of the square and the coach in the middle.

Figure. D7. Sharks & Minnows


Explanation

Sharks & minnows is a game more than a drill that will get the young players excited about playing soccer and therefore ideal as a warm up game.

All the young players will have a ball each at the end of the square and await the coaches orders. Explain to the players that you are a shark swimming around in the sea and they are fish who must get to the other end of the sea with their soccer ball without the shark eating them.

As I said, this game is designed to be fun, so...... there is a song / rhyme that must be sung before the game can begin.

The coach says: "Fishy, fishy swimming in the sea"

The players respond with: "Sharky, sharky you can't catch me"





The coach can shout "go" and now the players aim to dribble their soccer balls to the other side without getting caught by the shark (coach). The coach should allow all players to get to the other side first time around. After this, it is at the coaches discretion how many fishy they catch every round. At the beginning of each round the song will be sung again. Once a player has been caught they should sit at the side until there is one fishy left.

Football training drills like this one can be adapted to the players you have available and you could allow the players to be sharks too if you feel it would work.

*** Demonstrate clearly how to change direction with the ball using your feet! ***

Progression

At the end of each successful dribble from one end to the other, the coach could ask the fishy's a question regarding what technique the players should use. E.g. "How many feet should we use to dribble with the ball?" Of course, answer is 2. You could allow the fishy's to go around the Shark if they produce a good piece of skill such as the scissors.

Coaching Points








U6.8. Triangle Game

Preparation

Take a look at the diagram below for the triangle challenge. You will see that there are numerous triangles in the grid all made up by three cones each.

Figure. D7. Triangle Game


Explanation

This soccer game is more like a drill than a game, however there's no reason why you can't make it fun as well as getting all the necessary coaching points in.

The basic idea to this drill will be for the kids to dribble into a triangle in the grid between two cones and exit the triangle through a separate two cones (as demonstrated on the diagram).

There are plenty of progression ideas for this drill. I always like to start with everyone starting on the sidelines and then shouting "GO!" with the players dribbling through as many triangles as they can in sixty seconds. This makes it more exciting for the kids.

The next soccer game within the triangle challenge can be to use different parts of the foot. This time, (remember to demonstrate first every time) the players can only use the inside of their foot when exiting the triangle.





For example, the player in the diagram with the arrows can dribble the ball however he likes into the triangle but once inside he or she must use the inside of their foot to change direction and exit the triangle.

Time the players for sixty seconds once more. You can probably guess the progression ideas to come - after using the inside of the foot, next use the outside of the foot.

Next time use the bottom of the foot. The player will dribble into the triangle and use the bottom of the foot to 'roll' the ball to the side before dribbling to a new triangle.

Progression

A great progression in this soccer game which I use for the older kids as well is the use of skills, tricks and flicks.

Every time a player enters a triangle they have to do a skill, trick or flick to exit the triangle without bumping into anyone or knocking over a cone.

The best ones to use are the scissors where the player can pretend that the cone directly in front of them once inside a triangle is a player and they must use the scissors (step-over) to escape. Others include the matthews/donovan, Ljungberg and Rivaldo turn (if you have no idea what these are... please go to the 'Skills & Tricks' pages).

You can also use this drill to practice turns. The dragback turn, Cruyff turn, Inside and Outside hook work really well here!

Coaching Points

-> Make sure the kids use little touches and demonstrate at every new coaching point.







SkillsPerforming soccer skills aren’t a necessity for playing the beautiful game. You rarely see defenders trying skills with the ball because they are coached to play solidly and not give the ball away. Performing a skill in the wrong area can lead to an opposition player gaining possession of the ball and creating a goal scoring opportunity.

These skills are predominantly used by attacking players such as wingers, wide players and forwards. Skills can help players get past opposing defenders by changing direction quickly and having quick, fancy footwork.

The below skills all have a difficulty rating from easy to hard to help you work out which ones to teach the age group you are coaching too.

Sk.1. Inside Roll

(SOCCER SKILLS DIFFICULTY RATING: EASY)

This skill is an easy one to learn but once performed with speed and intensity can be a great way of avoiding an opponent.

The concept is simple and involves using the bottom of your foot to roll the ball toward your opposite leg. If you’re right footed, you will roll the ball from right to left but in a slightly forward diagonal movement.

For beginners, start with your right foot on top of the ball and roll the ball across your body in one movement. Don’t keep your foot on top of the ball or you will lose balance. You are effectively rolling the ball quickly from one side to the other.

For more advanced players, run toward the ball and plant your weaker foot diagonally behind the ball and with your other foot quickly roll the ball diagonally forward. So for a right footed player, left foot will be planted, the ball will be slightly forward to the right, and you will roll the ball diagonally left-forward. This is good when you are going to reach the ball a split second before a defender and want to get past them.

Sk.2. Step and push

(SOCCER SKILLS DIFFICULTY RATING: EASY)

This is the simplified version of the ‘scissor’ soccer skill which you will learn later. This is one of the easiest skills to learn but is also the most widely used by amateurs and professionals alike. You make the opponent believe you are going one direction and then push off and go in the other direction.

For beginners, it is best to practice this skill with a static ball. Stand with the ball slightly in front of your feet. With your left foot, step to the side of the ball and leave a gap between your foot and ball. With the balance on your left foot, move your right foot between your left foot and the ball and push the ball with the outside of your right foot in a diagonally forward motion to the right.

**When you step, make sure your body weight falls on to that leg enabling you to spring in the opposite direction. You could even point with your left arm **

For advanced players this skill must be performed at pace whilst dribbling with the ball. Firstly, read the





beginners version above to get a grasp of how this skill works. You will need to dribble with the ball first as if your running at an opponent. Then when you are about a meter away from your opponent jump on to your left foot, with your body low and make it seem you’re going to the left. Then push off to the right using the outside of your right foot to take the ball with you and past the player.

Sk.3. Inside Roll and touch forward

(SOCCER SKILLS DIFFICULTY RATING: MEDIUM)

This is a natural progression from the above ‘inside roll’ skill but this time you will allow yourself to dribble away at pace. You will perform the above advanced version of the inside roll approaching the ball at pace. Once you have rolled the ball from one side to the other you will plant the foot you have just used and with your other foot and push the ball forward with your other foot. The ball should now be rolling forward away from the defender to your side and you can follow your ball.

Sk.4. Inside and under


This is just a slightly more fancy skill and adaptation of the inside roll listed above. It involves the ball once again being dragged across your body but this time you will allow the ball to roll under your left leg as you step over it. It is to deceive the defender into thinking you’re going to take a touch forward when actually the ball will continue to run to the side.

Sk.5. Donovan – Inside, Inside, Outisde


This skill needs to be performed whilst dribbling with the ball. However for beginners this skill can be done slowly walking forward at first. Landon Donovan frequently

This skill is once again all about changing directly quickly, making it look as if you intend to go in one direction and quickly changing at the last second. You will be using the same foot for this skill and using the inside and outside of your foot. Firstly, dribble toward the defender using inside touches of the foot (right footed players will be going diagonally left toward defender) and at the last second use the outside of the same foot to push in the other direction (diagonally right for right footed player).

Sk.6. Scissors


This skill is a personal favourite of mine, the complete art of deception when performed correctly. It is the natural progression from the ‘step and push’ skill mentioned above.

The ‘scissors’ involves the use of both feet; for the sake of explanation I will describe the skill with reference to





a right footed player.

You begin by dribbling the soccer ball toward the defender. You will pretend to go to the left by wrapping your left leg around the back of the ball (without touching it). Your left leg will step to the left of the ball, the defender by this time will have moved their body weight toward your left allowing you to perform the second part to this skill.

Use the outside of the right foot to push the ball diagonally right past the defender whose momentum should be going the other way.

Sk.7. Double Scissors


This is basically a double bluff progression on the ‘scissors’ skill explained above. After wrapping your left leg around the ball instead of pushing off with the ball in the other direction (right), you will use this leg to wrap around the ball once more. Therefore, you have fooled the defender in thinking you’re going left, then that you’re going right but you end up pushing off to the left once more using the outside of the left foot.

*************************************************************

TURNSThis soccer moves page is all about how to learn, coach, and put in to practice all of the popular turns in soccer. Although all of the turns shown below are used in soccer by all age groups, some turns are easier to coach and learn than others. To help you, I have placed a ‘difficulty rating’ below each turn.

Remember, a turn is all about changing direction – if you wish to learn skills or tricks which help beat/get past opposing players then follow the link below.

Tu.1. Drag-Back Turn

(DIFFICULTY RATING: EASY)

The drag-back (or pull-back as it’s sometimes called) is the most simplest of turns and should be coached to players at a young age. I use this turn even with my young U4 players but I pretend its all part of the fun game there playing. For example a player can dribble the ball down to the end, pick up some treasure in a pirate game, do the drag-back turn to face opposite direction and be chased back by the coach.

This soccer moves turn is very simple to execute.

Step 1 – place your standing foot next to the ball

Step 2 – place your other foot on top of the ball (do not step over the ball and use the heel!)

Step 3 – drag the ball backwards (maintaining control of the ball)

Tip – make sure you turn your body the right way. E.g. if your standing foot is your left foot, your right foot is dragging the ball back, then you want to turn with the ball in a clockwise rotation until your facing the opposite direction.





Even professional players still use this turn from time to time because it’s a shore way of stopping the ball dead if you want to fool the opposing player. They tend to adapt it slightly however by using speed. For example, if you are dribbling at pace with the ball and you have a defender parallel with you whose about to get a challenge in to steal the ball, you can quickly stop the ball dead or roll it slightly behind you by placing one foot on top of it and dragging it back with your foot. Due to the pace you have been running with the defender this will likely fall them and they will carry on running for a moment giving you time and space to dribble in another direction or pass the ball to a team mate.

Tu.2. Outside Hook Turn

(DIFFICULTY RATING: MODERATE)

The outside hook is one of my favourite soccer moves turns because it uses the outside of my foot which I feel comfortable with. Although I have put a moderate difficulty rating some young players will pick this up very easily where as others will struggle to get to grips with using the outside of their foot. We very often use the inside of our foot (passing, shooting etc) but rarely use the outside.

Step 1 – place your standing foot besides the ball (leaving a bit more distance this time between the foot and ball than you did with the drag-back turn.)

Step 2 – your non-standing foot will pass between the gap of the foot and ball. Young players can stand this foot down just past the ball; older players will be expected to incorporate steps 2 and 3 together.

Step 3 – twist your standing foot so the outside of the foot is parallel with the ball (right foot would be 2 o’clock, left foot would be facing 10 o’clock.)

Step 4 - using the outside of the foot, hook the ball in the opposite direction than your currently facing whilst keeping control

Step 5 – turn your body in the same direction as the ball and face the opposite way.

Tip – it helps to have a low centre of gravity with knees bent and arms out whilst doing this soccer moves turn.

Tu.3. Inside Hook Turn

(DIFFICULTY RATING: MODERATE)

This turn can feel a little awkward to do at first and is really more of a flick than a turn once done quickly. It is basically the opposite turn to the outside hook which allows the player to turn the opposite way.

Step 1 – place your standing foot directly behind the ball (lean forward and stay low)

Step 2 – your non-standing foot needs to come round and make contact with the back of the ball

Step 3 – using the inside of your foot, hook the ball behind you

Step 4 – turn (or pivot) in the same direction as the ball so you’re facing opposite direction.

TIP – this soccer moves turn is much easier to do at speed and if your ‘on-your-toes’ i.e. not flat footed.





Tu.4. Stepover Hook Turn

(DIFFICULTY RATING: MODERATE-HARD)

I really enjoy using this soccer moves turn when I’m playing on the wing, but it doesn’t always work and can make you look silly if the opposition player catches you out.

The idea of the turn (when done at pace) is to pretend you are going to pass the ball one way, but instead your foot passes over the ball, and pushes the ball in the opposite direction.

*To make this turn easier to explain, I am going to do the steps as if I was a right footed player*

Step 1 – you must ideally have your back to an opponent (or side on in some cases). Very difficult to perform this turn whilst face-on.

Step 2 – standing foot (left foot) needs to be positioned next to the ball as if you are going to make a pass to your left

Step 3 – your non-standing foot (right foot) will move over the ball (ideally at pace) and pretend that the pass is going to be made

Step 4 – your right foot instead, using the outside of the foot will hook the ball in the opposite direction to the fake pass

Step 5 – follow your ball and hopefully the defender will be briefly following the fake pass allowing you to get away

Tip – in a game situation this soccer moves turn must be completed at pace otherwise the defender will have too much time to see what you are going to do. To make the fake pass realistic, call a name or place an arm out in the direction of the fake pass before pushing off in other direction.

Tu.5. Cruyff Turn

(DIFFICULTY RATING: MODERATE-HARD)

The Cruyff turn (named after Johan Cruyff – former Dutch soccer player) is a stylish soccer moves turn which was used frequently in games by Cruyff. This turn is used often in the modern game due it being a moderately easy turn to master and allows the player to change direction quickly.

Step 1 – place your standing foot next to the ball (but not too close) with your body leaning over the ball

Step 2 – your non-standing foot needs to step over the ball without touching the ground

Step 3 – using the inside of your foot, push the ball backwards

Step 4 – this time (unlike the drag-back turn) your body will turn round the other way (toward standing foot) so you are facing the opposite direction

Tip – once again, this soccer moves turn becomes easier when done at speed and it is important you have good balance.





Conditioned Games

These are basically game like training with conditions on the way the players must play the game that are added to the standard game rules to focus on particular skills. Following are a few examples of Conditioned games that are suited to Youth Football.

Goal VariationsCG.1. 3 Goal FootballHere one end has a standard goal, and at the halfway line two smaller goals are set up with the cones located from the side line in to make them about 1m wide. Swap the direction of play half way through, this game will help develop good attack and scrambling defence from the team that attacks the Single goal. The team which defends the single goal will learn to spread the ball wide when under attack away from their single goal, eg. Encourage them to get wide when they have possession, and to pass rather than kick away.

CG.2. 4 Goal FootballOn a standard size field set up goals in each of the four corners this will increase the opportunity for players to score goals, to encourage passing usually a rule will be the ball must be touched by (1 or 2) team mates before a goal can be scored. This game is very inclusive and all players should be encourage to play different roles, to get experience as both attackers and defenders.

CG.3. Goal Line GoalsIn this game at either end of the field from corner to corner becomes a goal line (like in Rugby), players can only score by stopping the ball on the oppositions goal line. This teaches dribbling, passing, and ball control teach players to use the space on the field and help them into positions rather than allowing them to bunch around the ball.

Dribbling Variations

CG.4. Limited Touch FootballThis can be incorporated into a standard game rules format or a conditioned game, the idea is to limit the amount of touches each player can have with the ball usually it will be anywhere from 2-4 touches. The intent for this is to get players to think quickly about who they will pass to or if they should shoot. If a player has touched that ball the allowed amount of times they have to shield it from the opposition until a team mate can assist, or trick the opposition into touching it so they can play again.

CG.5. Restricted Passing FootballIn this game the standard soccer rules apply but the passing method is changed so that players can only pass backwards or to the side (like in Rugby), unless they are shooting at the goal. This is designed to encourage players to run the ball up in attack and shoot if possible or look for a back pass to a free team mate. It also teaches support players to offer options to the ball carrier from the behind and the side.


coaching info under 6's

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