CUTTERS COMMUNITY SOCCER
Practice Plan 1: Dribbling and the Field
Notes for Coaches
We want each child to have as many touches on the ball as possible.
At this age, players do not want to share the ball, so we will take advantage of that attitude 
Ask players to keep their heads up while dribbling so they do not run into each other.
Also, they will learn to use different surfaces of the foot to dribble.
We’ll spend a little time discussing and dribbling to different parts of the field 
11:15 - 11:20 a.m. – Gather your team on your field. Distribute team t-shirts. Start to learn your players’ names.
Between 11:20 and 11:25 a.m., we will bring the players together in groups of six teams for the practice portion of the morning.
11:25-11:30 p.m.
Warm Up:
Coordination
Activities
Cutters Fast Footwork moves
(foundation, semicircle, squeeze and
roll), plus ball stretching
Video: http://tinyurl.com/CuttersFF
Age group trainers, with the help of the
volunteer coaches, will run the warm up
activity.
Coaches: Please help players who
arrive late find their teams and start
participating as soon as they arrive at
the fields. Also, keep the players
actively engaged in the activities.
11:30 – 11:35 a.m.
Activity 1:
Body Part
Dribbling
Players will be randomly arranged on
the field. Players should dribble their
balls around the area without
touching other players.
While they are moving, the trainers
will call out a body part (elbow, foot,
knee, stomach, etc.). The players
must immediately stop the balls with
that body part.
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


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We will ask players to show us
how to do something instead of
telling them how to do it.
Players practice dribbling.
Keep head up – don’t run into
other players 
Keep the ball close
(under control), so you can stop
when needed.
Helps with coordination
Once all players stop their balls
correctly, start again. Trainers will call
out different parts to surprise them
and get them giggling 
11:35 – 11:40 a.m.
Activity 2:
Parts of the Field
Players dribble around the field.
When coach calls out a part of the
field, for example, “center circle,” the
players dribble quickly to that part of
the field. They should stop the ball
with the bottom of their foot and
wait until they are told to dribble
again.
Parts of the field:

Touch line (a.k.a. side line)
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Goal line (a.k.a. end line)
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Goal
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Corner

Center circle
Remind players that during the game,
if a ball goes over the touch line or
goal line, they need to stop to wait
for a restart. The coaches will help
the players understand when to use a
goal kick, corner kick or kick-in.
At the end of the practice portion,
players will dribble to the field/goal
that has the bandana with their
team’s color.
Preparing for the game: 11:40 – 11:45 a.m. Since this is the first day, take some time with your team to explain the basics of the game. Talk about the
direction they will go to score goals and which goal they should defend. Tell them if the ball goes out, you will help them with a kick-in (on the sideline),
goal kick or corner kick (on the end line). This week, coaches may roll the ball in for the players, if restarts become time consuming or difficult.
Play your scheduled game.

Use this time to ask trainers
Game
Play to regular goals.
questions about game tactics or
DO NOT place all players on the field
3 players vs. 3 players
substitution management, if
at once, please use subs.
needed.
Use substitutes.

If the ball goes out of bounds on
Players at this age get hot/tired
the sideline, use a kick-in.
easily, but recover quickly. So using
Games are four 8-minute quarters.

If the ball goes over the end line,
substitutes gives them time to get a
use a goal kick or corner kick,
drink and recharge.
Try to keep the game moving.
whichever is appropriate.
Players’ Homework: Practice your dribbling moves this week. Be prepared to show your coaches your favorite move next week during warm up!
Hello U-6 Coaches,
Thank you for coaching a U-6 team during the spring season. The children have such a good time in this
program and we are thankful you agreed to volunteer.
For the first week of practice, we will have a slightly different schedule. The attached practice plan has
the details, but here's a summary:
11:15 - 11:20 or 11:25 a.m. -- gather your team, distribute team shirts, start to learn names (people are
quite often late to the first practice, so this will give everyone time to get settled)
11:25 – 11:40 a.m. -- group practice session. We will have two main trainers (Kylee and Mina) there to
run the practice portion of the session. We will also have an additional 4-5 trainers each week to help
the players. Therefore, each trainer will be responsible for a field of seven teams. As a coach, your
responsibility is to make sure your players participate and have fun. The trainers will direct the activities
(see practice plan for details).
11:40 – 11:45 a.m. -- take a few minutes to explain to your players the very basic ideas of the game,
mainly
* which direction the team should go
* which goal the team should defend
* what to do if the ball goes out of bounds (over the touch line means a kick-in and over the goal line
results in a corner kick or a goal kick)
* what to do when a goal is scored (cheer, return to your half of the field and prepare for a kickoff)
When both teams on the field are ready, please start the game. U-6 games are four 8-minute quarters.
The coaches should monitor the time for their field. We do not use referees for the U-6 games. Please
encourage players from both teams and ask them not to use their hands 
Make sure to use substitutes. The game is 3 vs. 3. You may play 4 vs. 4, but NO MORE than that.
The children need ample opportunities to play during the game and if too many players are on the field,
some children will never get the ball. Also, as the weather gets warmer, keep in mind that young players
get hot quickly. They need breaks (as substitutes) to get a drink and cool off during each quarter.
I have attached a map of Karst Farm Park to this message. The U-6 games are on field 11 at the back of
the park by the Splash Pad and Dog Park. Please remind your players' families that the drive from the
front of Karst to the field can take longer than expected, especially on the first day. It's a good idea to
leave a little earlier from the house to avoid the "Karst traffic" :)
If you have any questions, please let me know. If you have questions about your team or your roster,
please contact Jon Kinne at [email protected].
I look forward to seeing you Saturday,
Matt Blaszka
Director, Cutters Community Soccer & Outreach