A SAMPLE PRACTICE: 45 MINUTES  

• 10 CHILDREN AGE 5-6 YEARS. 
• 10  Size 3 soccer balls and 12 circle-type cones.

1. Play an ice-breaker game (such as a name game) Modified party game. Objective: get to know each other, Play an easy game we all feel competent.  (5 mins)
    
2. Simon says …with a soccer ball (10 mins)
   Introduce today’s theme (one theme ONLY!) (2 mins or less )
   (example “Who knows how to dribble a basketball…what can you tell me about it…do you keep the basketball close or throw it far away?”) Simon Says “Tip-tap”..
    
3. Stretches A few well chosen soccer flexibility exercises, Hold for 20 seconds. Discuss safe/unsafe. “Why do we stretch…?” (3-4 mins)
    
4. Dribble tasks. Everyone has a ball. Tip Tap Stop-and-go, Two parts of the shoe today (sole and inside). This can be done EITHER in lines or “randomly” as they move naturally inside a large square. (5-7 mins)
    
5. Dribble tag : basic “Cookie Monster” versions where everyone is SUCCESSFUL  (5-7 mins)
    
6. “How many ways of avoiding the big slow (Coach) Cookie Monster did you use?” (2 mins review)
    
7. One-vs. one games (no goalie) small goals. Each time play is to be restarted (e.g. after a goal or out of bounds), it is ESSENTIAL that a SERVE ROUTINE be established: (6-8 mins)
   Player A hand-rolls (bowls) ball to Player B who now attempts to dribble around A and SCORE!  Now it is time to SERVE again, and this time B will roll the ball…
    

8. Closure: what did you like? Not like? What do you remember about DRIBBLING
   High fives for everybody!!  (3mins)

Total time 45 minutes

Suggestion for coaches: have a buddy or assistant coach (or spouse!) use a STOPWATCH in a TIME-and-MOTION STUDY to see how much you (Coach) talk.

The goal is for the kids to be MOVING (everyone!!) for approx 33 minutes, leaving just 11 minutes for talking/explaining/switching activities etc.