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Practice games

Swap Shop

Pairs each have a ball and swap them with a pass on the call.

Practice 10 min 8 to 12 players Cage Half pitch Hall 2018 to 2020

Pass, Receive, Heads Up Lift each other

At a glance

  • Pairs in a 20 m square, each child with a ball, dribbling close to their partner.
  • Either partner calls Swap! Both pass at the same time, each to the partner's right foot, so the balls go side by side.
  • Take your partner's ball with your first touch and dribble away with it.
  • After three swaps, find a new partner.
  • Progress 1: Your first touch must take the new ball into space, away from your partner.
  • Progress 2: Add two defenders in bibs who try to touch a ball during a swap.

If it's not working: Pairs stand still 3 m apart to swap.

Swap Shop: set-up1231 Swap! 2 both pass at once,3 first touch takes it away20 m by 20 m
  • players
  • dribble
  • pass
  • 1in this order

One pair at the moment of the swap, with a second pair dribbling in the corner. Both partners have a ball. One calls Swap! and they pass to each other at the same time, each to the partner's right foot, so the balls go side by side. Each takes the partner's ball with their first touch and dribbles away with it.

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

Set up

  • Mark a 20 m by 20 m square.
  • Children pair up and both have a ball.
  • Pairs spread out inside the square.

Pairs, 8 to 12 children. 20 m by 20 m.

How to play

  • Pairs dribble near each other.
  • Either partner calls Swap! Both pass at the same time, each to the partner's right foot, so the balls go side by side.
  • Each receives the partner's ball, then dribbles away.
  • After three swaps, find a new partner.

Keeping everyone moving

Both children always have a ball. Nobody stands and watches a partner.

Make it easier

  • Pairs stand still 3 m apart to swap.
  • Stop the ball with the sole before moving.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. Your first touch must take the new ball into space, away from your partner.
  2. Add two defenders in bibs who try to touch a ball during a swap.

Three things to say

  • Look at your partner before you pass.
  • A soft pass the partner can take.
  • First touch out of your feet.

Words that work: "Great call!", "You made your partner look good!", "Brave pass on the move!"

Colts habit

New partner each time, so everyone plays with everyone.

Both feet

Every third swap uses the practice foot.

Heads up

Look before calling Swap!

For your birth year

Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.

2020
From the spring term. Still swaps, lots of cheering.
2018 to 2019
Moving swaps, new partner each time.
2016 to 2017
Play with the two defenders from the start.

A young leader can run this one, with an adult coach beside them.

Safety: Keep pairs well apart in the square. Passes stay on the ground.

Keeping score: Each pair counts clean swaps in a minute and tries to beat their own total.