| Name: | Matt Schiffer |
|---|---|
| City: | Belchertown |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Membership: | Adult Member |
| Sport: | Football/Soccer |
Methodology: Developmentally Appropriate Concepts for Players 5-8 Years Old. A Step-by-Step Guide.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Dribbling Activities with Defenders
Activities that include or progress to having defenders / pressure. Use creative names for your games.
Sharks & Fishies
Playing soccer in the ocean!
Organization:
- See Diagram.
- Fishies start will balls. Sharks are defenders.
- Set up single cones randomly.
How to Play:
- If shark steals ball, fishy tries to steal it back right away (immediate chase).
- If shark is able to dribble to cone, that fishy turns into a shark.
Coaching Notes:
- Dribble away from pressure (the sharks)

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Going to Goal Unopposed
Activity that allows players to dribble to goal by themselves (unopposed). Gives players confidence and success!
Organization:
- See Diagram.
- All players with their own ball.
How to Play:
- Each player dribbles to goal and shoots when it is their turn.
Coaching Notes:
- Dribble straight to goal.
- Face target (the goal).
- Plant foot next to ball when shooting.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Confidence & Ability to Take on Defender
Most important skill in soccer!
Important to learn at a young age.
Organization:
- See diagram.
- 2 goals to encourage directional & transitional play.
How to Play:
- 1v1 to goal.
Progression:
- 1v1 Gates. Multiple ways to score.
Coaching Notes:
- Take on defender.
- Dribble around & away from defender.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Going to Goal Unopposed with Teammate
Activity that encourages teamwork.
Organization:
- See Diagram.
- Partners.
How to Play:
- 2 players go to goal together.
- Player with ball has option of dribbling or passing to teammate.
- Objective is to score a goal.
Coaching Notes:
- Keep control of the ball.
- Move forward together.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
The Game!
All players, regardless of age love playing scrimmages or a "real game." Players this age have an egocentric mentality and will always want the ball. Teams will attack together and defend together. At times, the game will look like basketball - back and forth, up and down.
Teach shape and positioning, not positions.
Taking a child-centered approach to coaching is an effective method. Understanding where each child is developmentally gives realistic expectations. Every child learns in different ways and at a different pace.
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Animation Controls (PCs, Macs, Laptops):
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
Back/Forward: Drag timeline button
Dribbling Unopposed
No Pressure Dribbling Activities
There are a variety of practice activities to introduce fundamental dribbling. Having no defenders allow players to be comfortable dribbling without the fear of losing the ball.
Simon Says
Basic game with simple rules that most children are familiar with.
Organization:
- See Diagram. Every player with a ball.
How to Play:
- "Simon Says" Perform skills or movement on coach's signal.
Coaching Notes:
- Keep control of ball.
- Use both feet and all surfaces.