Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Micro Dribbling Week 2 (U4-U6)

Hungry Hippo (U4 only)

Physical Literacy (15-20 mins)

Organization:

- Each player with a ball spread out inside the 20 x 16 yard area.

- Make 2 boxes (each team on their own side)

- Have 2 coaches in each box as a Hungry Hippo

Activity:

Players will hand the Hungry Hippos (coach) their ball (food) and the Hippos will throw the ball into a space. Go over what it looks like to hand the ball to a Hippo. The player runs after the ball, picks it up and runs back to the Hippo and hands him the ball. The Hippos continue to throw the ball in different directions.

After coach throws the ball into a space, players can try different movements to get their ball back to the hungry hippos (before pick it up). Once they pick up the ball the players can run back to the hungry hippos.

Movement variations would include: Walking (forwards and backwards), running, skipping, knees up, jumping (i.e. kangaroo or bunny), hop (i.e., frog), rolling, bear crawl, shuffling, tippy toes, etc.

Additional Notes: If you think of more movements, please feel free to do them. Try to be creative!

Final Progression: Have the players dribble the ball back to the coach using their feet.

Coaching Points: Listening, following instruction, working on different motor skills (physical), having FUN, and being positive!

Candy Store (U4-U6)

Dribbling (15-20mins)

Organization:

Players spread out inside a big box (25 X 20).

Activity:

All players dribble within the candy store. The coach will ask players their favourite candies and name each side of the candy store. As the players dribble around the candy store the coach will call out a candy and the players have to run to that side of the candy store and perform a specific challenge i.e. Toe Taps, Shuffles, jumping jacks and pull backs or soccer stop (foot on the ball).

Emphasis: FUN, Listening, Dribbling, Changing Direction, Balance, Agility, Coordination, Imagination