1v1 Moves at Speed
Ages 11 and up · 10 min
Attack a cone at speed with a step-over or scissors, then cut past it. The cone is the defender: no live 1v1 at home.
- Put a cone 8 steps away as the defender.
- Run at it with the ball.
- Sell a step-over or scissors, then cut inside or outside past it.
- Accelerate away for 3 steps. Do 5 sets of 6, both ways.
Coach's cue: Sell the move, then explode out of it.
Bring: soccer ball, 4 cones
Safety: No contact and no tackling: the parent or partner only moves, calls or rolls the ball.
Ball Mastery: Eight Moves, Called
Ages 11 and up · 10 min
Eight ball-mastery moves in rounds; in the last round your parent calls the move.
- Warm up with toe taps and sole rolls.
- Do 8 moves for 40 seconds each with 20 seconds rest: step-over, V-pull, la croqueta and five you know.
- Last round: your parent calls a move every few seconds.
- React fast and keep the ball close.
Coach's cue: Ball close, both feet. On the called round, react fast.
Bring: soccer ball, partner or parent
Hamstring and Lunge Strength
Ages 11 and up · 10 min
Strength work for the back of the leg and hips that helps protect knees and hamstrings.
- Kneel with a partner holding your ankles (or hook them under a sofa).
- Lean forward slowly with a straight body, then sit back up; go only as far as you control.
- Do 5 leans, then 8 walking lunges each leg.
- Rest and do 2 more rounds.
Coach's cue: Slow down, straight line.
Bring: partner or sturdy sofa, soft mat
Safety: Lean only as far as you can control. Stop if you feel a sharp pull.
Cross on the Run
Ages 11 and up · 12 min
Cross without stopping: run with the ball and deliver into a zone in stride.
- Mark a target zone with 4 cones, 12 to 15 steps ahead and across.
- Run with the ball down the side.
- Head up early, then cross in stride without stopping.
- Do 4 sets of 6. At 14 and over, cross with both feet.
Coach's cue: Head up before you cross.
Bring: soccer ball, 5 cones
Safety: Make sure nobody is standing near the goal, the wall or the target before you strike.
Open Body Receiving
Ages 11 and up · 10 min
Receive on your back foot so your first touch moves the ball on to the next target.
- Stand between two partners in a line, 10 yards each way.
- Open your hips toward the passer.
- Receive with your back foot and pass on to the far partner in two touches.
- Do 30 passes, then swap who is in the middle.
Coach's cue: Open up, back foot, move it on.
Bring: soccer ball, 3 cones, partner
Cut and Shoot
Ages 11 and up · 12 min
Cut the ball across a cone to open your body, then shoot into the far corner.
- Dribble at a cone 18 yards from goal.
- Cut the ball sideways with the inside of your foot.
- Shoot on your next touch, aiming low across the keeper.
- Take 16 shots, 8 cutting each way, and count your on-target shots.
Coach's cue: Cut, set, shoot low.
Bring: soccer ball, goal, 2 cones
Safety: Make sure no one is standing in front of the goal or the wall before you strike.
Look, Then Play: Colour Call
Ages 11 and up · 10 min
Your parent calls a colour as the ball comes off the wall; your first touch goes to that side.
- Put a red cone to your left and a blue cone to your right, 3 steps away.
- Pass to the wall from 5 steps.
- As the ball comes back, your parent calls a colour.
- Take your first touch toward that cone. Do 5 sets of 10 receptions.
Coach's cue: Look before the ball arrives, then take your touch away from pressure.
Bring: soccer ball, wall, 2 coloured cones, partner or parent