6U Week 1 – Build Up in Opponent Half (Dribbling & Passing)

1st PLAY PHASE (Intentional Free Play) 12 minutes (play multiple 3-4 minute games) OBJECTIVE: Move the ball forward to create scoring chances PLAYER ACTIONS: Pass or dribble forward ORGANIZATION: On your 20W x 30L game field, set up two (13W x 20L) fields with a 4 yard space between. Place a small goal on each end line. When practice is scheduled to start & as soon as 2 players arrive, start playing a game. The game starts 1v1. As players arrive, the game becomes 2v1 then 2v2 up to 3v3. Once 1 field is at 3v3, start a second game on the field next to it. KEY WORDS: Go to goal, keep the ball GUIDED QUESTIONS: When do you go straight to the opponent's goal? What can you do if someone is blocking your path to the goal? ANSWERS: If you see an opening to the goal, go straight to the goal. You can dribble around them or pass to a teammate. Note: Encourage players to dribble to goal. At the first break, ask questions which generate thoughts about when to dribble. Second break, elicit answers from the same questions to determine the level of understanding from the players.

PRACTICE (Activity 1): Red Light/Green Light 7.5 minutes-8 intervals-1 min. play-30 sec. rest OBJECTIVE: Move the ball toward the goal (coach) PLAYER ACTIONS: Pass or dribble forward ORGANIZATION: In a 15W x 20L grid, a small cone goal in each corner & all players with a soccer ball. Coach stands in the center of the grid. When coach says GREEN LIGHT, players dribble toward the coach. When coach says RED LIGHT, players stop the ball. Eventually, when the coach says green light, encourage players to dribble their ball and kick it at the coach (the goal).