Arrival game · 0 to 15 min
Gate Race
Close control, plus looking up to find the next open gate.
Kids know this one. They played this last practice. Ask who remembers their best score!
Set up
- Big square with 8 to 10 gates spread out.
- Gate = 2 cones, 2 big steps apart. Everyone has a ball.
Play
- Dribble through as many gates as you can in 1 minute.
- Count out loud, then try to beat your OWN score.
- No using the same gate twice in a row.
Say this
“How many can you get? Ready... GO!”
“What helped you get more that time?”
“Can you find a gate nobody is using?”
Watch for
- Heads up, looking for open gates
- Small touches through the gate
- Praise beating their own score
Make it easierWider gates. 2 minutes instead of 1.
Make it harderWeak foot only. Stop the ball in each gate.
Main game · 15 to 35 min
Cross the River
Change direction to get away from trouble.
Set up
- Long box, 30 x 20 big steps, safe zone at each end.
- 2 sharks in the middle. Everyone else on one bank, with a ball.
Play
- Shout "Cross the river!" Everyone dribbles to the other bank.
- Lose it? Get it, do 3 pull-backs on the side, go again.
- Pull-back = roll the ball back with the bottom of your foot.
Say this
“Where is the gap between the sharks?”
“If a shark comes at you, what can you do?”
“Show me how you turned away!”
Watch for
- Pull-backs and quick turns away from sharks
- Eyes up BEFORE they go
- Praise any turn, even if they lose it
Make it easier1 shark. Sharks walk or hop.
Make it harder3 sharks. Make the river narrower.
Big game + huddle · 35 to 60 min
Big Game
Real soccer. Everyone plays. Nobody sits.
Set up
- 7 or 8 kids: one field, 4v4. 9 to 12 kids: two fields, 3v3.
- Field = 25 x 15 big steps. pop-up goal each end. No goalies.
Play
- Ball goes out? Roll a new one in fast. No kick-ins, dribble it in.
- Bonus: score after a turn or pull-back = 2 goals.
- Water break first. Swap teams halfway.
Say this
“Someone's coming at you. What can you do?”
“Where's the space? Point to it!”
“Show me that turn again!”
Watch for
- A beehive around the ball is normal at this age
- Kids trying moves, not just booting it
- Praise effort and bravery, loudly
Last 5 minutes: huddleWho can show everyone their favorite turn? Then high fives and a team cheer.