SKILL AND ACTIVITY PROGRESSION
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ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING DRIBBLING, PASSING, RECEIVING, JUGGLING, HEADING, SHOOTING, AND THROW INS:

CIRCLE DRIBBLING: Every player has a soccer ball. All players are instructed to dribble their ball, keeping it close and under control and staying inside the center circle. They cannot touch any other player or any other ball. The players are instructed to stop their ball on command, by placing their foot on top of the ball. The players are instructed to dribble through space in the circle, keeping their body close to their ball, while changing speed and direction. They should work on touching the ball with the inside and outside of both feet. They are reminded to stop the ball as quickly as possible on command. (See the Soccer Keep Away activity in the Activity Booklet.)

KEEP AWAY: This game is similar to the Circle Dribbling activity mentioned above. This game is also similar to regular keep away. The object of the game is for players to control their ball and keep it from being passed out of the circle. At the same time players try to pass the other players’ balls out of the circle. The players are told that

they must move through space safely and under control, as they have been doing in the above mentioned Circle Dribbling activity. Any player can push pass (side of the foot)

any other player’s ball out of the circle. The ball must be passed under control, on the ground, without hitting anyone else. If Player A’s ball is legally passed out of the circle, A must leave the circle without touching any other balls. A must retrieve the ball and do 10 toe taps (alternate touching of the ball with the right and left foot) before returning to the game. The game continues in the same manner for the time allotted. (See the Soccer Keep Away activity in the Activity Booklet.)

PARTNER PASSING AND RECEIVING: Partners A and B face each other about 10’ apart. A and B practice ground passing using the inside and outside of the foot. A passes to B. B receives and passes to A. After an allotted period of time players are instructed to move 20’-50’ apart and practice long ground and air passing using the instep drive. The activity continues in the same manner.

GO TO GOAL: Six goals are arranged on the perimeter of the soccer field. Every player has a ball. Players are instructed to stop the ball and place the foot on top of the ball on command. Each player is assigned a goal to go to. On command, player A picks up the ball, tosses it in the air toward the goal. A receives the ball in the air or on the first bounce with his/her head, chest, thigh, leg or foot. Player A dribbles toward his/her assigned goal, prepares, and takes a controlled shot at the goal. All players are instructed to move in a safe manner without contacting any other player or any other ball. The players must take controlled shots and avoid hitting any other player with their ball. On command players stop their ball. The activity is then repeated in the same manner with players rotating clockwise to their next goal. The activity continues in the same manner for the allotted time. (See Go To Goal activity in the Activity Booklet.)

PARTNER TWO TOUCH: Partners A and B face each other 6’-10’ apart. A takes a position on one knee. A rolls a ball to B’s right foot. B receives the ball with the right foot and push passes it back to A. A repeats the process with B receiving the ball with the left foot. A rolls 10 balls to B (5 to each foot). A then tosses the ball to B who receives the ball with the right thigh or right leg and push passes it to A. The activity continues in the same manner. The same activity is repeated with A in a standing position tossing to the chest and then to the head. A and B switch roles and the activity is repeated in the same manner.

JUGGLE AND CATCH: Every player has a ball. Player A drops the ball to his right foot. A passes the ball into the air with the instep of the right foot and catches the ball. Player A then drops the ball, passes it into the air with his left foot and catches it. The same procedure is repeated for the right and left thigh and for the head. The process is then repeated again beginning with the right foot. Players are challenged to see how many times they can juggle and catch during the allotted time.

FULL JUGGLE: Player A drops the ball on the foot or thigh and tries to keep it in the air with either foot, either leg or the head. Players are challenged to see how many consecutive times they can juggle without letting the ball touch the ground during the allotted time.

INDIVIDUAL HEADING: Each player has a ball. Player A picks up the ball in both hands and places the ball on his head in the proper heading position. This activity continues for an allotted period of time. A tosses the ball lightly from his hands to his head. A heads the ball and catches it. After an allotted period of time A tosses the ball in the air and head juggles as many times as possible.

PARTNER HEADING: Partners A and B face each other 5’-8’ apart. A tosses the ball to B who heads it back to A who catches the ball. A tosses 5 balls to B who heads them back each time. A and B switch roles and the activity continues in the same manner, with B tossing 5 balls to A. The practice continues in the same manner for the allotted period of time. More advanced players can try to head juggle the ball back and forth as many times as possible.

TARGET SHOOTING: Targets are placed in various positions in a goal. Each player places a ball on a line extended from the penalty line. On command, each player attempts to score a point by shooting and hitting the designated target. Players can be commanded to shoot one at a time or all at the same time. On command, players retrieve their ball and the activity continues in the same manner. The shooting line can be moved back for more advanced players.

PARTNER THROW IN AND RECEIVE: Players A and B face each other 10’ –15’ apart. A executes a legal throw in to B. B receives the ball with the head, chest, thigh, lower leg or feet. B gains control of the ball on the ground. B then picks up the ball and executes a legal throw in to A who receives the ball in the same manner. The activity continues in the same manner for the allotted time.

ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING ALL OF THE ABOVE SKILLS:

ONE ON ONE CONTAIN: A and B are partners. A starts on the touch line (sideline) with a ball at his/her feet. B assumes a proper defensive stance in front of A. A dribbles toward the opposite touch line. A tries to dribble in a variety of ways, changing speed and direction forcing B to contain him/her using good defensive technique. When A reaches the opposite touch line, A and B switch positions. B dribbles and A plays defense as they work their way back to their original position. A and B continue to switch and the activity continues in the same manner for the time allotted.

CIRCLE GAMES: 6-20 players spread out in a circle with 6’-8’ between players.

Player A is in the center of the circle. A passes the ball on the ground to B (on the

circle). A changes places with C on the circle. C comes to the middle of the circle to receive a ground pass from B. C then passes to another player on the circle and the activity continues in the same manner. When players become proficient with one ball a second ball can be added. Players can be challenged by adding as many balls as they can control.

SMALL SIDED GAMES: Games with 3-6 players on a team can be played with or without a goalie. These games can be modified to emphasize particular skills. Some modifications include the following:

1. Ground passing only for ball control.
2. A limited amount of touches (2-3) for individuals each time they receive the ball.
3. Ground passes to in bound the ball in place of throw ins.
4. Limiting the height and width of the goal.

ACTIVITY FOR PRACTICING GOALIE SKILLS:

GOALIE WARM-UP: Players A and B can be used to warm-up a goalie. A and B can toss or pass balls at a variety of heights, speeds and directions. They can also practice direct kicks and corner kicks and be receivers for cleared balls. A and B can help their goalie practice all the situations he/she will encounter in a game.