The following is a  Soccer Practice Plan for a U-6 Soccer Team.  Due to the age and skill level of these new players, practices are 1 hour in duration.  Prior to beginning, I would ensure all players have the proper equipment, have removed jewlery and are hydrated.  I don't do a lot of stretching with young kids as research shows it is not the best use of team time as they are already flexible.  I do have them stretch the muscle groups used during activity as part of the cool down to prevent soreness.

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U-6 SOCCER PRACTICE PLAN 

COACHING POINTS TO DEVELOP TOUCH AND TECHNIQUE:

• Maintain close control with both feet.
• Be agile, stay on toes.
• Use all parts of feet, inside, outside, laces, sole.
• Move to get behind ball's path.
• Keep a soft contact.
• Concentrate on center of ball.
• Keep head up.
• Control ball first, don’t just kick it away.
• Change direction and speed when turning.
• Be a friend with the ball.

COACHING GUIDELINES:

• Communication: Ensure the terminology you use is clear and precise. Let players know you are in charge.
• Positive Reinforcement: Whenever possible give individuals and/or groups positive reinforcement. Refrain from using negative comments. Use praise as an incentive.
• Be Creative and Use Initiative: If the drill or game is too advanced, modify to increase the chances of success.
• Make a Difference: Be motivational and inspirational. Enthusiasm and being energetic are contagious.
• Keep Players Active: If the drill is static, create need of helpers or assistants to keep everyone involved.
• Recognize Uniqueness of Players: Be aware of player differences. Aggressive or quiet, recognition of player personalities will allow you to respond to all players, and they will respond to you positively.
• Strive for Quality: In all demonstrations make the desired objectives clear. If a player shows mastery of a skill, use him/her to demonstrate.
• Reinforce Correct Technique: In all drills and games continually emphasis the use of correct techniques.
• Encourage Player Movement: At all times make players aware of importance of readiness. Emphasize weight forward on toes and bouncing instead of being flat-footed.
• Rotate Positions: All players should be active and have an opportunity to play all roles in games.
• Develop Player Respect: Continually get players to support one another. To show good sportsmanship towards all players including opponents, and respect for others attempts and effort.
• Equality Amongst Players: Give equal attention to all players in group or games. Do not leave the less competent players behind nor slow the advanced players.
• Fun and Enjoyment: Players will respond and want to continue if things are fun. Create their enjoyment.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• Soccer ball for each player (8-16)
• 15 Cones
• 2 Goals

WARM-UPS:  Ball Gymnastics - 15 Mins.

Stationary:

Ball Roll:  Roll ball with the bottom of right foot forwards and backwards, then the left.  Repeat from side to side, and then in a circular motion. Repeat with increased speed.

Tick-Tock: Pass the ball from inside of left to inside of right foot.

Hat Dance: Lightly touch ball with bottom of the right foot then with left. Ball should remain still. Increase speed for both.

Movement: Tick-Tock but move ball slightly forwards each touch. Take it width of field then turn and return.  Do the same with the Hat dance. Sideways stance. Roll right foot over the top of the ball and stop with inside of left foot.  On the return, use the other feet.

Name Game:

Although I teach passing following dribbling, I may do a name game in a small circle where students introduce themselves first and tell the others why they chose to play soccer.  The player with the ball then calls out the name of a player before making a very short pass to that player.  The person who's name was called, stops the ball with their feet.

SKILL OBJECTIVE:  Basic Foot Skills/Beg. Dribbling -15 Mins.

Game #1: What’s the Time Mr. Wolf?

Coach starts as the big bad wolf. Each little pig has a brick house (a cone) The Pigs shout “What’s the time Mr. Wolf?” and the
wolf shouts back a time.  Each player advances the ball the number the wolf shouts out. Pigs ask again and repeat. When the Wolf shouts “Dinnertime”, the pigs dribble their soccer balls back to their house and the wolf chases and tries to kick their ball away. Let each player have a go as the wolf.

Game #2: Wicked Witch

Set up a bending line of cones. At one end of the line, place a Wicked Witch ( a parent, asst.coach) and have players at the other end of the cones. Each player tries to dribble down the windy yellow brick road, zig-zagging through the cones. At the end of the road when they meet the Wicked Witch they have to shoot the ball past her to melt her.

Teaching points: Use soft touches to keep away from Wolf, and then dribble at speed and stop ball with feet only.

Progressions: Put cones in the way as trees that players avoid. Use multiple wolfs, or place wolf close to houses so pigs have to get past.  With Wicked Witch, set up a goal in which to aim the shoot past the witch.

WATER BREAK - 5 Mins.

SKILL OBJECTIVE CONT. - Ball Control/Beg. Dribbling - 15 Mins.

Game #3: Shark Attack

Set up 3 Islands. Divide players onto the 3 Islands, each player with a ball. Coach starts as the shark in the middle of the ocean. Shark holds a cone on his/her head, or hands to designate a shark fin, so everyone knows they are the shark. When Coach shouts “shark attack” the players have to swim (dribble) their balls to either of  the other 2 islands. The shark attempts to kick soccer balls away. Any soccer balls kicked away, then that player also becomes a shark. Play until 1 person left, who becomes the new shark for the next game.

Teaching points: Players have to respond to the defenders movements and keep possession of the ball. A lot less static and more game like than the above relay races.

Game #4: Red-Light Green-Light 

Players start on one end of the grid with their soccer balls. Coach is the traffic light (or traffic cop). Coach shouts  "green light" and the players dribble their soccer balls toward the other end of field.  On the command  “red light”, players  stop their ball with the sole of the foot and not move.  If they move they return to the beginning and start again. Play until everyone reaches the end.  

Teaching Points: Dribbling and control movement.

Progressions: Add “yellow light” and make players do a stationary tic-toc or hat dance. Add additional commands: reverse where players go backwards, go home players turn and head back home, left, right etc.

COOL DOWN - 10 Mins.

Have half the players lunge-walk toward each other over half the length of the soccer field, keeping space around them (avoiding other players).  Switch to reverse lunge walks (everyone in the same direction). 

Have the players do a slow side-slide the width of the field and back (half the team going one way and half the other) again keeping space around them.  Switch directions and go back the other way.

Bring the team into a closing circle and model cool down stretches.  Hold the static stretches for 20 secs. each on both legs (sit and reach, calf stretches, scorpion, hip flexor stretch).  Recap the skills learned while stretching and provide positive feedback.

PROGRESSION OF SKILLS IN SOCCER:

• Basic Dribbling - Foot Skills
• Basic Passing Techniques
• Control and Turning
• Offense/Defense
• Basic Shooting
• Combination of Skills