Fun Games for u3 - u8
Technical Game (15mins) - Robin Hood
Field Size
20x20 grid with central 3x3 grid
Set up/ rules
4 Teams of 3 players. If possible more soccer balls than players into the central grid.
First player from each team can start on the coaches command. They must run in lift a
ball and bring it back to their teams corner. Only once the player returns past the cone
can the next player go. Once all the balls are gone from the middle players can steal a
ball from another team. Set a time limit on game of 1minute. At the end of the minute
the team with the most balls in their corner wins.
Coaching Points
Accelerate from the first cone and lengthen strides towards the ball.
Run in a straight line directly to the ball- quickest route.
Decelerate as you approach ball and turn quickly to accelerate away again once the
player has lifted the ball.
Progression
Only use feet to play now- turn as you collect ball and dribble using laces into the space
to return to your team as quickly as possible.
Perform a specific turn each time you get to a ball.
Work on a specific foot to dribble back to your team.
Technical Game (15mins) - King Of The Ring
Field Size
20x20 grid
Set up/ rules
Players inside the grid with a ball each. Players must dribble inside of the
grid keeping the ball under control. A player can kick another player’s ball
out of the grid to eliminate them from the game. If a players loses control of
the ball while dribbling and it goes outside of the grid they are also out. Last
player to remain is King of the Ring.
Coaching Points
Players should dribble with a ‘loose head’ scanning around for space to carry
into and for approaching players. They also must be aware of the ball and at
a young age will need to look down and up.
Progression
Force all players to dribble on their weaker foot.
Fun Games for u3 - u8
Technical Game (15mins) - Mud Monsters
Field Size
20x20 grid with four 3x3 grids in each corner
Set up/ rules
Designate one/two mud monsters(defenders) and the rest our inside the mud
pit. If a mud monster touches you with two hands you are stuck in the mud and
must freeze with your legs apart until a team-mate touches you or crawls throw
your legs. Once they do this you are free to play on. If you are inside a corner
you are safe from the mud-monster but can only remain in the corner grid for
3 seconds. Game lasts 1minute if the mud monsters can touch and stick every
player they win. If after 1 minute they have not caught everyone the players win.
Coaching Points
Awareness of space and approaching mud monsters. Acceleration to get away
from the mud monsters. Players work agility and balance also within game,
changing direction and speed all the time and balancing while stuck.
Progression
Must stand and balance on one leg when stuck.
Players now use a ball to dribble, mud monsters do not. Players release teammates by dribbling a ball through their legs.
Technical Game (15mins) - Last Player Standing
Field Size
20x25grid
Set up/ rules
Players start at one end line and try to run past the defender to reach the
far side without being caught. If the defender touches a player with two
hands then they are out and become a defender the next time. The game
continues until the last player is left.
Coaching Points
Awareness of the defender and space. Accelerate away and light on
your feet to push off and change direction quickly to get away from the
defender. When dribbling uses laces when carrying into space. Use the
inside and outside of foot to change direction quickly and turn to get
beyond the defender. Be confident to use attacking moves to get beyond
the defender.
Progression
Players have a ball each and must dribble past the defender. If the
defender tackles you and knocks your ball out of the grid you are eliminated and become the defender the next time.
Fun Games for u3 - u8
Technical Game (15mins) - Follow The Leader
Field Size
10 players- 25x25 grid
Set up/ rules
Split players into pairs (If odd number have a group of three with one leading
and two dribbling behind). Front player is the leader and he decides which
direction to run, when to turn and where to go. The player behind must run
behind him and stay as close as possible. This naturally works on speed, agility,
balance and co-ordination. After 30 seconds swop roles.
Coaching Points
Leading player- scanning for space to run into, players around him and his team
mate to try and lose him.
Following player- scanning to constantly be aware of the leaders movement and
other players to avoid hitting into them. Both players should look to travel as
fast as possible, pushing off with foot to change direction and accelerate away
with power.
Progression
Following player will now chase with a ball.
Both players have a ball at their feet.
Front player has the ball, second player has no ball. The second player attempts
to win it off him and he then leads.
Technical Game (15mins) - Ball Familiarity
Field Size
8players- 20x20 grid, 12 players 25x25 grid
Set up/ rules
Players start with a ball each. They must dribble inside of the grid and perform
the different exercises.
Coaching Points
Dribbling with their head up and trying to scan around them, looking for space
to dribble into and being aware of the other players within the grid.
Progression
Foundations
Toe-taps
CHANGE- get a different ball from another player
LIGHTENING- dribble as fast as possible to the outside of the grid and then continue dribbling again.
Side foot rolls- roll the ball across your body using the inside and sole of cleats
Juggling- basic to start by holding in hand, drop ball and kick back up to catch
again. Progress to drop from hand, kick up, let bounce once on ground then kick
up again, bounce kick etc.
Fun Games for u3 - u8
Technical Game (15mins) - Line Game
Field Size
20x20 grid
Set up/ rules
Each player has a ball. Before the game ask the players to name each line for a
certain topic. EG favourite ice-cream flavours- top line vanilla, left strawberry,
right mint choc chip and bottom cookies and cream. On the coaches call of that
flavour players must dribble to that line. To adjust to make it competitive the
last player to reach the line is out and must do foundations/toe taps/juggling on
the outside until the game finishes.
Coaching Points
Stance/ready position to react quickly to the call. Use your laces to take your
touches in front of your body to travel as quickly as possible always stepping
onto the ball.
Progression
Force the players to use their weaker foot.
Also change the theme of the game- favourite colour, super heros, soccer teams,
soccer players, countries etc
Technical Game (15mins) - Champions
Field Size
Two cones placed 15 yards apart.
Set up/ rules
Group is split into groups of 3-5 players. Each group has one ball. First
player must run out to cone, around it and back, as he gets back tags the
next player to go. Once the first player is at the front again they must all
sit down and shout CHAMPIONS.
Coaching Points
Accelerate off and run as quickly as possible around the cone. When
dribbling close control using laces into the space and then inside or outside of foot to turn quickly around the cone and back to the group.
Progression
Run with a ball in hands out and around.
Bounce the ball going out and back (basketball dribble)
Dribble on the ground, out and around using either foot.
Work either left foot only or right foot only.
Work a specific turn at the cone to change direction- inside hook, outside
hook, pull-back, Cruyff turn, spin turn.
Fun Games for u3 - u8
Technical Game (15mins) - Team Relays
Field Size
Ensure there is enough space for safety between the teams
Set up/ rules
Split groups into small teams of 4/5’s. Ball starts at the front with player 1. He must have the
ball in his hands and twist to his left to pass to player 2. Player 2 must twist to his right to pass
to player 3 behind them this continues until player 5 has the ball at the back of the line. He
then runs to the front and turns to his left to pass to player 1. The process continues of the
back player running to the front until player 1 becomes the front player again. The team who
completes this the fastest wins the race. At all times players in the line remain facing forward.
Coaching Points
Communication between players. Hand-eye co-ordination and balance, correct stance. Accelerate as quickly as possible from the back of the line.
Progression
Over and under using hands to pass ball- first player passes over his head for player 2. Player
2 passes between legs to player 3.
Using feet only- roll the ball between your legs to next player. Who will roll it through his legs
until it reaches the back. Player at the back will dribble to the front and then roll between
legs.
Technical Game (15mins) - Zookeeper & Animals
Field Size
10yard diameter circle with a cone for each player to start on. If large
numbers then you can set-up two circles.
Set up/ rules
Coach is the Zookeeper in the middle. Each player on the outside of the
circle chooses their favourite animal from a list of 2-3 animals. The zookeeper shouts out the name of an animal from the list. If the zookeeper
shouts out your animals name you must run around the outside of the
circle and back into your spot as quickly as possible. First one back gets
a point. (Ensure at least two players have the same animal so they can
race).
Coaching Points
Accelerate away and run as quickly as possible around the outside of
the circle. When dribbling close control using laces and inside of foot to
travel quickly around the circle.
Progression
Bring in a ball each and must now dribble around the circle as quickly as
possible but always keeping the ball under control.
Fun Games for u3 - u8
Technical Game (15mins) - Pass & Move
Field Size
20x20 grid
Set up/ rules
Split group into teams of 3-4 players per team. One ball per team. Players must
throw the ball to a team mate and move to support him again. Pass between
your team only. Create option/angle for the player to throw to you.
Coaching Points
Constantly scan to find space to move into and to find the next option, allowing
you to make your decisions quickly. Movement off the ball to become an option,
create space and an angle to receive. Quick tempo and decision making in
possession.
Progression
Challenge them to get as many throwing passes as possible in 30 seconds.
Put the ball on the ground and pass and move now. Then complete as many
passes as possible.
Must pass to a different colour- improve awareness and mental overload for
young players.
Technical Game (15mins) - 3 Colour Tag Game
Field Size
20x25 yard area (Increase size for large group)
Set up/ rules
Split players into 3 even teams, each team wearing a different colour
pinny. Each team must try and tag another team chosen by the coach:
Red tag Yellow
Yellow Tag White
White tag Red
Each time player is tagged they must balance on the spot for 5 seconds.
Coaching Points
Scan area for space, players to tag and players tying to tag them.
Keep ball close to feet when dribbling.
Progression
Bring in a ball each and must now dribble around the area and tag opposing players while trying to avoid being tagged.
Switch who each team is tagging.