Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Bugs Life Game

Bugs Life Game (15 mins)

Session Topic: Attacking Principles

Dribbling, Passing

Stage: Stage 1

Set Up:

20 x 20 yard zone (Scale to age and level of play) Balls, Pinnis, Disks

Time:

10 - 15 mins (Play 1 minute games then switch roles)

Orginization:

"Ant Holes" are randomly placed onto the playing field to represent a safe zone for the ants. Players are split into two groups. "Ants" and "Grasshoppers". Ants are without a ball and Grasshopers each have a ball and start on the outside of the grid. On coaches go Grasshoppers will dribble and try to pass their ball the hit the Ants below the knees. If they hit an Ant that ant will come a "Small Ant" and have to sit down on the ground. They can get picked up if a "Big Ant" comes by and tags them on the shoulder. Ants can hide in the Ant holes and be safe, but only for 5 seconds.

Progressions:

To make it more challenging, add "Hawks" to the game. Hawks will try and help out the Ants by stealing the ball away from the grasshoppers. If a hawk wins a ball they will give it back to the grasshopper and continue to get a different grasshoppers ball.

Coaching Points:

Ball Control (Soft Touch, Toe pointed down when dribbling)

Passing/Recieving (Locked ankle, toe pointed up, inside of foot OR Strike the ball with the laces with a locked ankle and toe pointed down)

Conditioning (Pace of Play)