Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Star Wars

Star Wars is predominantly a dribbling game with some shooting involved. It helps dribbling skills but also introduces shooting accurately. Technique is not essential at 5/6 as having fun scoring goals and understanding the concept of going to goal and having fun.

Equipment and Setup

• 15x20yds
• 4-6 mini goals - equally split at each end
• Players split into two even teams
• Each player starts with a ball but spare balls are also spread over the field

Directions

Players dribble to score in the opponent's goals. Each player keeps a tally of their goals and add them up between their team at the end. Players cannot shoot or defend within a 3-yard no-go zone. Once the ball is out of play, they need to find another ball, either in their own goal or anywhere they can, but cannot use the ball they scored with to score again.

Coaching points

• Dribble with purpose and your head up
• Stay calm and focus on hitting the target - look at the target, then eye on the ball as you strike through the ball with the instep (no toe pokes!)

Change the difficulty

• Move the no-goal zone back a yard or two to make it more difficult or take it away to make it easier.
• Introduce 1 defender in the goal zone as a goalkeeper to make it more difficult
• More balls can be introduced for more goals!

Context of the game

Dribbling to goal and hitting the ball on the move is game-like, as opposed to static shooting. It will also help the players develop their coordination and staying calm in front of goal.