Why Are Kicking and Defending Important in Soccer

Why are Kicking and Defending Important

Why are Kicking and Defending Important

Probably goes without saying that you can't win a game without points on the scoreboard.  However, don't lose sight of winning the game also by definding.  Preventing the other team from scoring also goes a long way.

 

Game 1

Game 1

Game 1

  Popcorn Machine

All the players have a ball at their feet.  Coach gets down on a knee and acts as the popcorn machine.  Players dribble the ball to the coach, coach picks up ball and throws in the air away for the player to chase and dribble back.  

Variation:  You can do variations of the game by just having players use left foot.

 

Game 2

Game 2

Game 2

Defend and Score

Divide kids into 2 lines (about 10 feet away from either side of goal).  Coach stands in front of goal about 20 feet away and rolls ball toward the goal.  First player from each line moves toward the ball (1 line will be defending the goal and 1 line will be trying to kick the ball into the goal).  Coach will decide when the interaction is done for this team.  They should go to the back of the line and next 2 players go at it.

 

Game 3

Game 3

Game 3

  Team Chant

If your team doesn't have a team chant yet, now would be a great time to create one.  You should for sure use it before the scrimmage each week.  Some teams will use it at the end of each game also. 

Make it easy and fun.  Perhaps have some ideas in your back pocket before you arrive at practice.

Here a few phrases that could include in your team's chant:

  • "Go. Win. Score!"
  • "We Are Yellow."
  • "Big G.  Little O.   Go. Go. Go!"
  • "Kick that Ball.  Make That Score!"
  • "Be Strong.  Be Proud. Have Fun!"

 

Game 4

Game 4

Game 4

 Marbles

Place a random soccer ball (or multiple soccer balls) on the field.  Each player should also have their own soccer ball.  They should kick their soccer ball toward the other random one on the field, trying to hit it.

This will help them practice being more accurate with their kicks.  If they hit the random ball, they should pick a new one on the field to aim towards.

Variation:  If your kids are doing really well with this exercise, the coach could slowly roll a ball in front of a few kids and see if they can hit the moving ball with their own.

Variation #2: Place the random ball in front of the net and see if they can hit the random ball with their own, to create a score.

 

Game 5

Game 5

Game 5

Hot Potato

Have children stand in a circle (spread apart).  Use 1 ball. 

Child 1 kicks the ball to someone else in the circle.  That person immediately kicks it to another kid – like it’s a hot potato.

Note:  They should concentrate on kicking with the side of their foot and know how hard/ soft to kick it.

Variation: Use 2 balls at the same time. 

 

Game 6

Game 6

Game 6

Dribble Dribble, Score!

Have 1 player stand in front of goal (with no ball).  The rest will stand in a line with a ball.  They will dribble toward the goal (you can choose fast... slow... left foot... right foot... etc).  They eventually will pass the ball to the person standing at the goal.  That person will try to kick the ball into the net.

When they are done, rotate so a new person is at the goal.  Keep going until each child has had a chance to be at the goal.

Variation:  If you are running short on time, you could divide your team in 1/2 and have 2 people the goal at the same time.