P.O. Box 101
LaGrangeville, NY 12540
La Grange Soccer Club Skill Building Games
I. Move Builders: These exercises allow the player to develop the
learned moves in a game like atmosphere, with all of the
pressures and speed requirements of a real game.
A. 1 vs 1: Set up a 5 x 10 yard grid for
each player, with the goal
being either another cone or ball, (I use a 2 liter bottle with
some
water in it) or the requirement to dribble across the goal. Two
players
are in a grid, and the games are 5 minutes each. After each
match, the
players go to the score keeper and get: 3 points for a win; 2
points for
a scored tie (1-1); 1 point for a scoreless tie; or 0 points for
a loss.
A matrix can be used to track scores and the players round robin
through
the team.
B. 2 vs 2: Taking the 1 v 1 results, fairly even teams can be
created
by matching the stronger players with the weaker ones. A larger
grid is
needed (10 x 20), and the same structure follows as above, with
longer
games, such as 7 to 10 minutes.
C. 3 vs 3: Builds upon 2 v 2, but emphasizes more combinations,
rather than 1 v 1 tactics.
II. Shooting Games
A. Bombs Away: groups of 4 to 8 players are created and placed on
either side of a "field" constructed of 2 ten yard wide
goals, 20 yards
apart.
Three (or more) balls are introduced. The players in their zone
may
only trap, block or shoot. No dribbling is allowed. If this is
too
difficult, allow dribbling, then lower the number of touches down
from 3
to 2 to 1. Most goals wins.
III. Passing Games
A. 4 v 2, 5 or 6 v 3: This is a a "keep away" style
game with the 4
on the outside of a circle, and the 2 on the inside. Outsiders
pass to
other outsiders, and insiders try to touch, or block a pass. An
insider
becomes an outsider when this is accomplished. Outsiders are
instructed
to talk, move and make space for their team, while insiders are
trying
to mark, and close up space. Closing in the size of the circle is
a true
test of tight passing.
B. Fill The Hole: Place players in a circle. Have them pass to a
teammates, then follow the ball to the spot they passed to. By
the time
they get there, the receiving player should have passed off and
left for
the next spot. This teaches players to follow their passes, and
to pass
in a crowd.
IV. Shielding Games
A. Knockout: All kids are placed in the center circle, each with
a
ball. They try to knock other players balls out of the circle
while
protecting theirs. As the number of players decreases, make the
circle
smaller. This can get rough from players hacking at each other,
so
please be observant of this behavior. Last player in the circle
wins.
B. 1v1: Place a ball on the ground, and have two players at each
ball. Player must simply touch the other ball, while the other
one
shields it.
V. Scrimmage Games
A. World Cup: Divide team into teams of 2 or 3 players, and use
one
ball, one goal, and one keeper. The keeper is in the goal as
normal,
and each team tries to score. After each score, the keeper punts
the
ball out and teams vie for the ball and the others defend. Goals
only
count after a team possesses the ball outside of the penalty
area. In
other words, if you obtain possession in the box, you must get it
out,
then back in again to score. Shots from outside the box are
permitted
also. Any team to score advances to the next round. The last team
(only
one who did not score) does not advance. This eliminates one team
per
round, leading up to a final which is essentially a 2v2 or 3v3,
with a
full sized goal and keeper. This builds small sided skills as
well as
keeper skills and defender skills.
B: Many Goals: Make a rectangular scrimmage area with two goals
on
the long side of the field:
This setup forces defenders to make fast decisions as well as
teaching offenders to use more than one opportunity. Use this to
teach
defenders to make the run between the attacker and the post, and
to have
the "insurance man" run behind him to catch the
attacker if he breaks
through.
C: Counter Attack: Split the team up into offense and defense,
and
set up on half of a normal field. The goal at one end is
regulation,
with keeper, and the other are two sets of cones, near the touch
line,
and 3 yards apart. This forces the defense to score by playing it
wide
near midfield.
The goals can be moved, to train the team to focus on certain
areas
of the field, as well as awarding higher points for the items
that need
work.
VI. Defense Games
A: Delay The Run: Divide the team into 2 groups of equal size,
with
one team having 1 ball per player. Each group lines up on
opposite side
of a normal sized field (40 - 50 yds. apart). They approach each
other
at speed, and the defenders try to kick attacker's balls out of
the side
lines. Once a ball is out, the player is out. Defenders should
learn to
cooperate, delay the ball, and regroup. Attackers should learn to
pick
their spot, and dribble through, or chip over, lines of defense.
James P. Bowne September 16, 1996
Copyright 1998 LaGrange Soccer League, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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