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Practice games

Waves

1v1 in waves: attack one goal, then stay on to defend against the next player from the other group.

Practice 13 min 6 to 12 players Cage Half pitch 2016 to 2018

Brave 1v1 Win It, Keep It, Score Be brave

At a glance

  • 15 by 20 grid with a goal at each end, no keepers. Blue (3) start by the bottom goal, yellow (3) by the top, a ball each.
  • A blue dribbles in at the top goal, 1v1 against a yellow defender. When it ends, that blue stays on to defend.
  • Next a yellow dribbles in at the bottom goal against that blue, who defends. Then that yellow stays on to defend, and the waves go on.
  • A defender who wins it goes for the other goal. After defending, go back and practise a move with your ball until your go.
  • Progress 1: Five seconds to score: the defender counts out loud as the attacker dribbles in.
  • Progress 2: Practice foot only: dribble and shoot using only your practice foot.

If it's not working: Make the grid 20 m wide so there is room to dodge.

Waves: set-up1231 attack 1v1, 2 the last attacker defends, 3 next wave.15 m by 20 m
  • blue group
  • yellow group
  • run
  • dribble
  • 1in this order

One of the small grids, with a goal at each end. Blue start by the bottom goal and attack the top one; yellow start by the top goal and attack the bottom one. A blue attacks 1v1 against the yellow who attacked last and stayed on to defend. This blue then stays on to defend against the next yellow coming in. A defender who wins the ball goes for the other goal. The rest of each group practise a move with their ball by their goal.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Mark a grid of about 15 by 20 with a goal at each end. No keepers.
  • A blue group of 3 starts by the bottom goal and a yellow group of 3 by the top goal, a ball each. Each group attacks the goal at the other end.

Balls, bibs, cones and 2 goals. A grid about 15 by 20 with a goal at each end. Six players per grid, three a group; run several grids if you have more.

How to play

  • A blue dribbles in and attacks the top goal 1v1 against a yellow defender.
  • When the attack ends, that blue stays on to defend against the next player, a yellow dribbling in at the bottom goal. Then that yellow stays on to defend, and the waves go on, blue then yellow.
  • After defending, go back to your group. While you wait for your go, practise a move with your ball: a step-over, a drag-back or a sole roll. If a defender wins the ball, they go for the goal at the other end.

Keeping everyone moving

Set up several small grids so waves come every few seconds, and the children in each group practise a move with their ball until their go. No score kept between teams.

Make it easier

  • Make the grid 20 m wide, so there is room to dodge the defender.
  • A goal also counts if the attacker stops the ball on the goal line.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. Five seconds to score: the defender counts out loud as the attacker dribbles in.
  2. Practice foot only: dribble and shoot using only your practice foot.
  3. Add a keeper in each goal, if a child would like to go in.

Three things to say

  • Run at your defender.
  • Change speed to get past.
  • Defenders: close down, slow down.

Colts habit

Work hard: attack, then defend straight away.

Both feet

Attack with the practice foot every other wave.

Heads up

Look up as soon as you win it.

The Colts change: Several small grids so waves come every few seconds, the groups practise a move with their ball until their go, and keepers only if a child would like to go in.

Safety: If a keeper is used, follow the academy keeper safety rules for the age group.