U6 Theme Practices
A Special Thanks to the following websites:
http://www.eteamz.com/gsctornados/files/1000touches.htm
http://www.decatursports.com/soccerdrills.htm
http://www.eteamz.com/soccer/pills/jpill.htm
http://www.joesoccer.com/info/games.html
http://www.paysl.org
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Coaching Priorities U6
Basic Dribbling
Shooting
Dribbling Fun
Dribbling Fun- 2
Dribbling Fun- 3
Dribbling Fun-4
Dribbling Fun-5
Dribbling Fun-6
Dribbling Fun-7
Dribbling Fun-8
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR U5/U6 &
3V3
1. 1.
Develop fundamental movement skills: walking, running, jumping,
hopping, bending, stretching, twisting, pulling/pushing, throwing, catching
2. 2.
Teach how to strike the ball – Kicking with inside of foot and instep
(shoelaces); no toe punches!
3. 3.
Teach how to dribble the ball – Keep ball close, dribble with toes down,
change direction/pace
4. 4.
Be sure everyone has a ball
Tactics:

Teach the concept that when we have the ball, we all attack; and when we
lose the ball, we all defend and try to get it back. Also, to always know which
goal they are attacking and which one they are defending.

Stress the speed in which the players make the change from attacking to
defending, and vice a versa (which should be fast!) – this is called transition.
Think of this like basketball.

On attack, the objective is to get all players and the ball in the opponent’s
half and score.

On defense, the objective is to get all players behind the center line, then
start to defend.
Coaching Tips:



Correct only the individual players, not the group.
Don’t worry about any positions.
Let them play! Don’t interfere/interrupt too often.
Topic: Basic Dribbling (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Relay races.
Play tag- note acceleration, deceleration & change
of direction.
Fundamental Activity: Players dribble with all parts of feet inside, outside, sole &
heel (1 min) Start over this time coach walks around the grid & lifts hand w/
different number each time. Players must have head up to see coach & yell out
number as soon as they see it. (Don’t look at the ball look at Coach). Make the shape
of the letter U with the ball, a circle, when get home see if you can spell your name
or practice the alphabet.
Coaching Points- keep head up facing the coach
Keep the ball close you won’t need to look at it!!
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Alligator Crossing
Set up a small grid 8X10. Have 2
volunteers to be Alligators- lay in grid with arms out. Other players 1 at a time
dribble through grid & try to keep alligators from stealing the ball. Alligators can
steal with hands & feet. (Attackers can use all parts of feet like in Fundamental Act.)
Game Condition Activity:
Make 2 15X15 squares. Players surround the square each
with own ball. Players try to make it to the opposite end (this = 1) the first player to
reach 10 wins!!!
Coaching Points keep head up
Change direction with inside & outside of feet
Controlled Scrimmage: 4V4 can only score with left foot (pull left sock up)
Coaching Points keep head up if player has ball & sees space dribble
into the space
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Shooting (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Hit instep (laces) of both feet like drums. Pretend to
strike ball like a shot (step, plant, & strike) right foot then left. Have
players dribble around this time actually strike ball
Coaching Points- Lock it & Rocket!!
Little touches
Fundamental Activity: Set up grid 20X20 have cones or flags in then middle
set up as goals (about 6 goals in grid). Players dribble & strike thru goals to
score must shoot in a different goal each time. Player with most goals at the
end of 2 min. does less misc activity than rest. Do this 3-4 times
Hit the ball with the laces
step, plant, & strike
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Bees
One they really seem to like is to dribble in
an area (tell them they are bees and to buzz), then after awhile, have the
coaches (or a few parents) walk around inside the area. It is the job of the
"bees" to "sting" the big people with the ball (a pass or kick). They need to
keep looking for a target and hitting it. They really seem to enjoy this one.
Game Condition Activity: Bomber- Players (1 ball per player) get in a large
circle with coach standing in the middle of the circle. On the coaches
command players shoot their ball at the coach in the middle (watch where
your ball goes) now the coach yells “go” the players go to their ball &
freeze. The coach gives a fun command on how the kids have to run back to
their spot example: ball overhead, hop, twist, run sideways, super slow
motion
Controlled Scrimmage: 4V4 can only score if shot is from 6 feet or further
away
Coaching Points: LOCK IT & ROCKET
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Have the players use little touches to make the letter U with the
ball. Have them spell the first letter of their name. Popcorn touches (foot to foot on
top of all) Pull-Push (pull ball back then touch forward with same foor
Little touches
Fundamental Activity: Square Dance – 15X15 grid, every player with a ball. Have
players dribble around grid then coach gives the following commands at leisure
“STOP” foot on top of ball “GO” move right or left 3 to 4 yards “TURN” Quickly turn
180 degrees moving the ball 3 to 4 yards
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Like Magnets- set a large circle or square of cones. Players
dribble in the area pretending they are magnets. Whenever they close to another
player, they immediately “repel” by changing direction & sprinting away 3 to 5 yds
Game Condition Activity: Captain on Deck – set a 20 X 20 grid, waiting for the
Coach’s (“Captain”) orders. When the coach calls out left or right, the players
dribble to that side, simulating the wave motion.
Whenever the coach calls out “Captain on Deck”, the crew answers “Aye aye
captain”.
Whenever the coach calls out “ Climb the Rigging”, players tap the top of their
balls with alternate feet.
On the order of “Clean the Decks”, the players move around the grid tapping the
ball between their feet.
If a player loses control of his ball and goes out of the grid, the whole crew has to
shout “Man Overboard”.
The coach then gives all the players a little skill to perform to try and save the
player from the sharks. If the skill is not performed successfully by all players, the
player who lost his ball must play the remainder of the game hopping on one leg
Controlled Scrimmage: 3V3 must use left foot only (5 min) then right
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun -2 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Everybody’s It – 15 X 15 grid each player has a ball. Players
must keep possession of ball & touch each other below then knee (each player keeps
count of how many tags they have
Keep knees bent when dribbling this is better for balance & changing
direction
A lower body is a faster body
Fundamental Activity: Captain on Deck – set a 20 X 20 grid, waiting for the
Coach’s (“Captain”) orders. When the coach calls out left or right, the players
dribble to that side, simulating the wave motion.
Whenever the coach calls out “Captain on Deck”, the crew answers “Aye aye
captain”.
Whenever the coach calls out “ Climb the Rigging”, players tap the top of their
balls with alternate feet.
On the order of “Clean the Decks”, the players move around the grid tapping the
ball between their feet.
If a player loses control of his ball and goes out of the grid, the whole crew has to
shout “Man Overboard”.
The coach then gives all the players a little skill to perform to try and save the
player from the sharks. If the skill is not performed successfully by all players, the
player who lost his ball must play the remainder of the game hopping on one leg
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Have players place 1 foot on top of ball roll forward then
back now switch feet. Hospital Tag-1 player is the defender all others have a ball. If
the ball is stolen or goes out of grid once (broke arm- fold in 1 arm), twice (2 broke
arms), three times players goes to see the doctor (coach) for fun activity & then
return to drill.

Show defender your shoulder to shield

Place ball on far side foot from defender
Game Condition Activity:
Cow Dogs – set a 30X20 grid players must dribble to far
end w/o their ball being stolen by Cow Dogs (2) in the middle. If ball is stolen player
becomes a “Cow Patty” must sit or kneel (Cow Patties can also defend but only from
a “crab” position). The 1 or 2 winners decide if they want to start as a Cow Dog in
the next round. Try 3 to 4 Rounds
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun- 3 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Relay Races
Fundamental Activity Square Dance – 15X15 grid, every player with a ball. Have
players dribble around grid then coach gives the following commands at leisure
“STOP” foot on top of ball “GO” move right or left 3 to 4 yards “TURN” Quickly turn
180 degrees moving the ball 3 to 4 yards
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Off to the Zoo- set a large circle of cones. Coach names an
animal players mimic the animal for 1 minute. Now players mimic animal while
keeping contact with the ball. Allow each player to choose an animal & repeat the
activity
Game Condition Activity: Body Parts Dribbling- Set 15X15 grid players begin to
dribble in grid coach calls out a body part (elbow, knee, foot, stomach, head) players
must stop the ball with that body part
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun -4 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Red Light, Green Light – Set a 20X20 grid- players all on start
line, coach yells “Green Light” players dribble forward then a few seconds calls “Red
Light” players must stop ball by placing a foot on top. The players that don’t stop at
command go back to start line. Keep going until everyone finishes then repeat 2-3
times
Fundamental Activity: Captain on Deck – set a 20 X 20 grid, waiting for the
Coach’s (“Captain”) orders. When the coach calls out left or right, the players
dribble to that side, simulating the wave motion.
Whenever the coach calls out “Captain on Deck”, the crew answers “Aye aye
captain”.
Whenever the coach calls out “ Climb the Rigging”, players tap the top of their
balls with alternate feet.
On the order of “Clean the Decks”, the players move around the grid tapping the
ball between their feet.
If a player loses control of his ball and goes out of the grid, the whole crew has to
shout “Man Overboard”.
The coach then gives all the players a little skill to perform to try and save the
player from the sharks. If the skill is not performed successfully by all players, the
player who lost his ball must play the remainder of the game hopping on one leg
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Alligator Crossing
Set up a small grid 8X10. Have 2
volunteers to be Alligators- lay in grid with arms out. Other players 1 at a time
dribble through grid & try to keep alligators from stealing the ball. Alligators can
steal with hands & feet. (Attackers can use all parts of feet like in Fundamental Act.)
Game Condition Activity:
Cow Dogs – set a 30X20 grid players must dribble to far
end w/o their ball being stolen by Cow Dogs (2) in the middle. If ball is stolen player
becomes a “Cow Patty” must sit or kneel (Cow Patties can also defend but only from
a “crab” position). The 1 or 2 winners decide if they want to start as a Cow Dog in
the next round. Try 3 to 4 Rounds
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun -5 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Square Dance – 15X15 grid, every player with a ball. Have
players dribble around grid then coach gives the following commands at leisure
“STOP” foot on top of ball “GO” move right or left 3 to 4 yards “TURN” Quickly turn
180 degrees moving the ball 3 to 4 yards
Fundamental Activity: North, South, East, West- 15X15 grid, make a large goal on
each side. Same set up commands as Square Dance but now if coach yells “South”
the players dribble thru the south goal then around the grid & re-enter at North
Goal. If coach yells “East” players dribble thru East goal then around grid & re-enter
grid at West Goal
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Follow the Leader- Players form a line behind the coach
everyone has a ball. The coach dribbles & moves around the players must mimic
coach, feel free to be silly the kids will have fun if they know you are!!
Game Condition Activity: Captain on Deck – set a 20 X 20 grid, waiting for the
Coach’s (“Captain”) orders. When the coach calls out left or right, the players
dribble to that side, simulating the wave motion.
Whenever the coach calls out “Captain on Deck”, the crew answers “Aye aye
captain”.
Whenever the coach calls out “ Climb the Rigging”, players tap the top of their
balls with alternate feet.
On the order of “Clean the Decks”, the players move around the grid tapping the
ball between their feet.
If a player loses control of his ball and goes out of the grid, the whole crew has to
shout “Man Overboard”.
The coach then gives all the players a little skill to perform to try and save the
player from the sharks. If the skill is not performed successfully by all players, the
player who lost his ball must play the remainder of the game hopping on one leg
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun -6 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Red Light, Green Light – Set a 20X20 grid- players all on start
line, coach yells “Green Light” players dribble forward then a few seconds calls “Red
Light” players must stop ball by placing a foot on top. The players that don’t stop at
command go back to start line. Keep going until everyone finishes then repeat 2-3
times
Fundamental Activity:
Cow Dogs – set a 30X20 grid players must dribble to far end
w/o their ball being stolen by Cow Dogs (2) in the middle. If ball is stolen player
becomes a “Cow Patty” must sit or kneel (Cow Patties can also defend but only from
a “crab” position). The 1 or 2 winners decide if they want to start as a Cow Dog in
the next round. Try 3 to 4 Rounds
Water Break
Game Related Activity: The Numbers Game- 30X20 grid Coach assigns 2 team of
3 each player is assigned a number (1, 2, or 3) Each team goes to opposite end lines.
Coach standing outside of grid calls out “3” & rolls ball into center of grid. The 2
opposing “3” players leave the endline & compete for possession for 20 seconds
max. Coach tells players to go back to their spots & calls a different number. After
the players become comfortable with the drill the coach then calls 2 numbers at once
for 2V2 in the middle. A variation coach may choose an animal name in the place of a
number if he/she desires
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun -7 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Relay Races
Fundamental Activity:
Players dribble with all parts of feet inside, outside, sole &
heel (1 min) Start over this time coach walks around the grid & lifts hand w/
different number each time. Players must have head up to see coach & yell out
number as soon as they see it. (Don’t look at the ball look at Coach). Make the shape
of the letter U with the ball, a circle, when get home see if you can spell your name
or practice the alphabet.
Coaching Points- keep head up facing the coach
Keep the ball close you won’t need to look at it!!
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Captain on Deck – set a 20 X 20 grid, waiting for the
Coach’s (“Captain”) orders. When the coach calls out left or right, the players
dribble to that side, simulating the wave motion.
Whenever the coach calls out “Captain on Deck”, the crew answers “Aye aye
captain”.
Whenever the coach calls out “ Climb the Rigging”, players tap the top of their
balls with alternate feet.
On the order of “Clean the Decks”, the players move around the grid tapping the
ball between their feet.
If a player loses control of his ball and goes out of the grid, the whole crew has to
shout “Man Overboard”.
The coach then gives all the players a little skill to perform to try and save the
player from the sharks. If the skill is not performed successfully by all players, the
player who lost his ball must play the remainder of the game hopping on one leg
Game Condition Activity:
Like Magnets- set a large circle or square of cones.
Players dribble in the area pretending they are magnets. Whenever they close to
another player, they immediately “repel” by changing direction & sprinting away 3
to 5 yds
Water Break
Free Game:
Topic: Dribbling Fun -8 (U6)
Equipment: 1 ball per player, 10-12 cones
Warm Up Activity: Relay Races
Fundamental Activity: : North, South, East, West- 15X15 grid, make a large goal on
each side. Same set up commands as Square Dance but now if coach yells “South”
the players dribble thru the south goal then around the grid & re-enter at North
Goal. If coach yells “East” players dribble thru East goal then around grid & re-enter
grid at West Goal
Water Break
Game Related Activity: Sharks & Minnows" or "Freeze Tag"
Mark of an area (20x20, or whatever makes sense for the number of kids) and have
each kid with a ball (minnows). Then release a shark into the area (one of the kids
without a ball). The shark’s job is to get the other kids balls. I play for just a touch,
can also have kick out of the area. Once a ball has been played, the dribbler
(minnow) is frozen, have them take the ball over their head and put their legs apart.
To be unfrozen (released), another player (minnow) needs to put a ball between
their legs (usually dribbled). Switch the sharks every 30 seconds to a minute.
Game Condition Activity:
Hospital Tag-1 player is the defender all others have a
ball. If the ball is stolen or goes out of grid once (broke arm- fold in 1 arm), twice (2
broke arms), three times players goes to see the doctor (coach) for fun activity &
then return to drill.

Show defender your shoulder to shield

Place ball on far side foot from defender
Water Break
Free Game: