Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U4/5 Practice Plan

Intro Game

Activity: Name & Run!



Setup:

• Gather the kids in a big circle (use cones if needed).

• Parents can stand nearby or join the circle to help if kids are shy.

How to Play:

• Coach starts: “Hi! My name is Coach [Your Name], and I like to jump!” (Coach jumps up and down)

• Then you say, “Now it’s your turn! When it’s your turn, say:
  ‘My name is ___, and I like to ___!’”
  (The child says their name and picks a movement like hopping, spinning, running, etc.)

• After a player introduces themselves, everyone in the circle copies their movement for 5 seconds while saying their name together (e.g., “Hi, Ella!” while hopping).

• Go around the circle until everyone has had a turn.

• Variation: After each child shares, they can run around the circle once before returning to their spot.

Variant for U5

Keep your treasure

Organization:

• Balls in the middle w/an orange box
• Create "islands" in the corners with different color of cones

Instructions:

• The players will wait until the coach blows her whistle to go to the middle, take one ball at a time, and bring it to their respective islands. The player that gathers the most amount of balls wins the drill.

Coach Points:

• Keep an eye on the little ones since they get distracted easily.
• Give positive feedback all the time.

Variant III for U5

The light traffic game

Organization:

• Simulate light traffic with cones.
• Individual work with the ball.

Instructions:

• All the kids must dribble a ball folowing the pattern color, just like a traffic light where green means go, yellow means slow down and red means stop.
• Players must stop at the red line of cones and shoot to the goal.

Coach Points:

• Keep all kids engaged.

Final Game

Setup:

• Create a small field (~20 x 15 yards depending on group size).

• Divide players into 2 even teams (3v3 or 4v4 max). If more players, rotate in.

• No goalkeepers.

How to Play:

• Game starts with a kick-off from the center.

• Players try to score goals by dribbling and kicking into the opponent’s goal.

• If the ball goes out, coach gently rolls in a new one to keep play flowing (no throw-ins or corners).

• Let the game flow with minimal stoppage—encourage lots of cheering and movement.

• Switch directions halfway through if needed.