U6 Practice Plan - Deception
U6 Practice Plan - Deception
This soccer practice session is most appropriate for the U6 and under age levels. As a coach you can use these drills to teach players about how to use body parts to deceive their opponents. The outine for the practice is as follows:
- 20 x 10 2 vs. 2 Small Sided Game (10 minutes)
- Hospital Tag (15 minutes)
- Crocs in the River (15 minutes)
- 31 x 20 4 vs. 4 scrimmage (15 minutes)
End of Practice Discussion
- What are some body parts that we can use to deceive an opponent with? (eyes, legs, shoulders, hips).
- Why would it be important to deceive an opponent? (to make them think you are going one way, when you actually want to go the other).
- Why would this be important? (because getting the opponent off-balance makes them easier to get by!)
Have a team cheer, and see everyone on game day!
20 x 10 2v2 - Small Sided Soccer Game
Set Up:
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Make fields of 20 x 10 yards. Place small goals on each endline.
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The players go 2 v 2 on the field. On balls put out of play, use a throw-in or kick-in to get ball back in (coach's choice).
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After a goal is scored, play is restarted with a goal kick
Coaching Points:
- None. Let the players play and make mistakes. Only intervene if it is taking too long to get ball back in play.
Hospital Tag - U6 Soccer Activity
Set Up:
- Players start inside of the grid with soccer balls are outside.
- Inside the grid, you try and tag other people. If you tag them, they must hold the body part that got tagged and yell “ouch!”
- If they get tagged a 2nd time by someone else, they must hold that body part as well (so now holding two body parts).
- If they get tagged a 3rd time, they must run to a ball on the outside of the grid and get a ball (the hospital), pass the ball between their feet 4 times and then they can reenter the game will no more injuries.
Progression:
- After a few rounds, every player now must dribble a ball while tagging people. If they get tagged three times, they must do 6 toe-taps with their ball to get better.
Coaching Points:
Encourage players to be thinking about how they can tag people without getting tagged themselves. What can they do with their bodies to “duke” people out?
Crocs in the River - U6 Soccer Activity
Set Up:
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On the small field, all players have a ball and start on one end line. The coach stands in the middle of the field.
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When the coach says ‘go,’ all the players (the swimmers) try to dribble from one end of the field to the other without getting their ball stolen by the coach (the crocodile).
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If a player gets their ball stolen, they must perform a special activity for the croc to spit them out (ex: touching the top of the ball with the bottom of their feet alternating eight times, or passing the ball between their feet eight times). Players do not become a croc with the coach - we want them to keep dribbling their soccer ball. Coaches - Be goofy and have fun!
Coaching Points:
1. Wait and see where the Croc is going before you start dribbling.
2. If the Croc is busy with someone else, speed dribble while you can.
3. Try to avoid bunching up with the other swimmers. Find a lane of your own.
Progressions:
1. Every player picks his own animal to be and makes animal noises as he/she dribbles across. The coach must also roar as he chases.
31 x 20 4v4 Scrimmage
Set Up:
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Remove the endzones in the previous game, and add two 3 yard goals on each end (field is now 31x20yds)
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Let players play 4v4, coach decides how restarts happen, depending on local rules
Coaching Points:
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None. Just let them play. However, get excited when you see a player try a try a dribbling move or attempts to get a defender off balance.
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Always highlight positives you see, but don’t stop play and don’t correct their decision making. This is their time to play how they want.
