In-House U6 Training Guide

Arrival Activity: Free Play

Setup: Open space with 1 ball per player.

Execution: Let players explore with the ball, dribble, shoot at small goals, or just play freely.

Coaching Points:

• Welcome players warmly
• Encourage exploration and confidence with the ball

Warm-Up: Follow the Leader

Setup: One coach or confident player leads, others follow while dribbling.

Execution: Leader dribbles around field; followers copy movements (turns, stops, starts).

Coaching Points:

• Encourage creativity
• Keep the ball close
• Watch the leader

Ball Mastery: Red Light, Green Light

Setup: 15x20 yard grid.

Execution: Coach calls “Green Light” = dribble, “Red Light” = freeze. Players advance across the field while listening to commands. 

Coaching Points:

• Keep the ball close
• Use small touches
• Listen carefully and react quickly

Themed Activity: Pirate Treasure Hunt

Setup: Scatter colored cones (treasures) throughout a 15x20 grid. Each player has a ball.

Execution: Players dribble to a cone, stop the ball, and carry the cone back to the base. Repeat to collect as many cones as possible. If a coach tags a player, the player throws their cones up in the air and continues collecting.

Coaching Points:

• Keep ball under control
• Use inside of the foot to dribble
• Encourage fun and imagination

Game: 3v3/4v4 Free Play

Setup: Small field with mini goals.

Execution: Free play with no coaching interruptions. Rotate players if needed. Coaching Points:

• Let them play!
• Encourage effort and fun
• Praise decision-making

Warm-Up: Traffic Jam

Setup: 15x15 grid. Each player with a ball.

Execution: Players move around like cars, avoiding each other. Coach calls out directions (e.g., "reverse," "turn left").

Coaching Points:

• Avoid collisions
• Keep head up
• Respond to commands quickly

Ball Mastery: Toe Taps and Sole Rolls

Setup: Each player with a ball in personal space.

Execution: 30 seconds of toe taps, then 30 seconds of rolling ball side-to-side with sole. Repeat.

Coaching Points:

• Stay on toes
• Balance and rhythm

Themed Activity: Gates Dribbling

Setup: Scatter 10-12 pairs of cones (2 feet apart) to make "gates" in a 15x20 grid.

Execution: Players dribble through as many gates as they can in 45 seconds. Repeat. Coaching Points:

• Keep head up
• Use both feet
• Encourage change of direction

Game: Sharks and Minnows

Setup: 15x20 yard grid. 1-2 sharks in the middle. Minnows (each with ball) on one end line.

Execution: Minnows dribble across while sharks try to tag or knock balls away. Players rejoin after crossing.

Coaching Points:

• Change speed and direction
• Stay aware of shark location
• Use quick turns

Game: 3v3/4v4 Free Play

Setup: Small field with mini goals.

Execution: Free play with no coaching interruptions. Rotate players if needed. Coaching Points:

• Let them play!
• Encourage effort and fun
• Praise decision-making

Warm-Up: Simon Says Dribble

Setup: Players with balls in an open area.

Execution: Coach gives commands like "touch with left foot," "turn," or "stop." Only follow when coach says "Simon says." Coaching Points:

• Listen carefully
• React quickly
• Stay in control

Ball Mastery: Inside-Inside Touches

Setup: Open space.

Execution: Players tap the ball side to side using the inside of both feet. Coaching Points:

• Stay low and balanced
• Keep ball close

Themed Activity: Obstacle Course

Setup: Cones laid out in zigzag, slalom, and small goal at end.

Execution: Players dribble through cones and finish with a shot.

Coaching Points:

• Use both feet
• Small touches through cones
• Bigger touch to shoot

Game: 3v3/4v4 Free Play

Setup: Small field with mini goals.

Execution: Free play with no coaching interruptions. Rotate players if needed. Coaching Points:

• Let them play!
• Encourage effort and fun
• Praise decision-making

Warm-Up: Balloon Keep-Up

Setup: Balloons and small space.

Execution: Players try to keep balloons in the air while using feet, thighs, or hands. Great for fun coordination.

Coaching Points:

• Keep moving
• Stay under balloon
• Lots of smiles and fun

Ball Mastery: Dribble Tag

Setup: 15x15 yard grid. Each player has a ball.

Execution: Players try to tag each other while dribbling. Everyone stays in.

Coaching Points:

• Quick changes in direction
• Ball close when tagging

Themed Activity: Knockout (No Elimination)

Setup: 15x15 yard grid. All players have a ball.

Execution: Players dribble and try to knock others' balls away. Retrieve and re-enter immediately.

Coaching Points:

• Shield ball from others
• Use body to protect ball

Game: Line Soccer

Setup: 20x15 yard field. Teams score by stopping ball on opponent's end line.

Execution: 2 teams, 3v3. Play to score by stopping ball on line with control.

Coaching Points:

• Look for space
• Turn and attack open line

Warm-Up: Ball Hunt

Setup: Scatter 10–12 cones around the area. Each player with a ball.

Execution: Players dribble to a cone, perform a move (e.g., toe tap or turn), then find a new cone.

Coaching Points:

• Quick starts and stops
• Keep ball close
• Encourage exploration

Ball Mastery: Dribble Races

Setup: Lanes or pairs, cones 10–15 yards apart.

Execution: Players race while dribbling to the cone and back.

Coaching Points:

• Use laces for bigger touches
• Keep eyes forward
• Control before turning

Themed Activity: Clean the Yard

Setup: Divide grid in half; 4–5 balls per team.

Execution: Kick balls into opponent's half. After 1 minute, count which side has fewer balls.

Coaching Points:

• Use inside or laces to strike
• Quick reactions
• Good body position before kicking

Game: 3v3/4v4 Free Play

Coaching Points:

• Bigger touches when in open space
• Encourage effort and teamwork

Warm-Up: Body Part Dribble

Setup: Each player with a ball in a 15x15 grid.

Execution: Coach calls body parts ("foot," "knee," "elbow"), and players stop the ball using the correct part.

Coaching Points:

• Quick reactions
• Fun and silly = good engagement
• Stay moving in between

Ball Mastery: Toe Taps + Dribble

Execution: Toe taps in place, then transition into short controlled dribble; repeat.

Coaching Points:

• Keep head up
• Light, quick touches

Themed Activity: Highway Driving

Setup: Use cones to create “roads” or lanes.

Execution: Players dribble along roads without crashing (touching cones or each other). Add “stop signs” or “turns.”

Coaching Points:

• Keep to the lane
• Change direction with outside of foot
• Head up to see road

Game: King of the Ring

Setup: 15x15 yard grid.

Execution: Players try to stay in while protecting their ball. Knockouts return quickly (no elimination).

Coaching Points:

• Awareness of space
• Shield the ball
• Quick turns and restarts

Warm-Up: Shadow Dribble

Setup: Players pair up; one leads, other follows.

Execution: Leader dribbles and changes direction; follower shadows them while dribbling.

Coaching Points:

• Stay close to partner
• Try new turns
• Use both feet

Ball Mastery: Drag-Back Turns

Execution: Players dribble, stop, and pull the ball back with sole to change direction.

Coaching Points:

• Turn into space
• Use body to shield
• Stay balanced

Themed Activity: Maze Escape

Setup: Cones create a winding maze.

Execution: Players dribble through maze without touching cones.

Coaching Points:

• Soft touches
• Controlled turns
• Head up to plan path

Game: 3v3/4v4 Free Play

Coaching Points:

• Encourage use of turns in game play

Warm-Up: Red Light, Green Light (with Turns)

Execution: Add “Blue Light” = turn using inside or outside foot

Coaching Points:

• Controlled turns
• Keep head up

Ball Mastery: Inside and Outside Turns

Execution: Practice turning with inside of foot, then outside; then alternate.

Coaching Points:

• Turn away from pressure
• Accelerate after turning

Themed Activity: Follow the Leader (with Turns)

Execution: Leader demonstrates turn, others follow while dribbling. Rotate leaders.

Coaching Points:

• Watch and copy carefully
• Encourage creativity in leaders

Game: 1v1 to Small Goals

Setup: Players paired up, small goal at each end.

Execution: Win the ball and try to score. Reset quickly.

Coaching Points:

• Use turns to escape
• Stay on feet and balanced

Warm-Up: Freeze Tag (No Ball)

Execution: One or two players are taggers. Others run. When tagged, freeze in silly pose.

Coaching Points:

• Fun movement
• Spatial awareness

Ball Mastery: Freeze and Go

Execution: Dribble while music or coach cues, freeze when stopped

Coaching Points:

• Stop ball fully
• Quick restart

Themed Activity: Red Light, Green Light (Advanced)

Add: Yellow Light = slow dribble

Coaching Points:

• Change speed with control
• Listen and react

Game: 3v3/4v4 Free Play

Focus: Controlled stops and starts in live play

Warm-Up: Dribble and Stop Relay

Execution: Players dribble to cone, stop ball with sole, run back and tag teammate

Coaching Points:

• Ball under control
• Communication and quick transitions

Ball Mastery: Stop-and-Go with Sole

Execution: Dribble, then stop ball with sole and accelerate again

Coaching Points:

• Balance
• Controlled stop, quick go

Themed Activity: Capture the Ball

Setup: Place cones or spots around the grid.

Execution: Players dribble to a “base” spot and stop ball. Return and repeat.

Coaching Points:

• Stop with sole
• Plan next move

Game: Numbers Game (1v1s, 2v2s)

Setup: Two teams; coach calls numbers to start matchup

Coaching Points:

• Use stop-and-go to beat defender
• Quick response to number call

Warm-Up: Ball Drop Kicks

Execution: Drop ball and try to kick as it bounces (can use foam balls)

Coaching Points:

• Eye on ball
• Lock ankle

Ball Mastery: Step-Stop-Shoot

Execution: Dribble a few steps, stop, shoot at cone or mini-goal

Coaching Points:

• Plant foot next to ball
• Follow through

Themed Activity: Shooting Alley

Setup: Create 3-4 lanes with cones, small goal at end

Execution: Players dribble through lane and shoot into goal

Coaching Points:

• Aim for corners
• Controlled shot over power

Game: 3v3 with Multiple Goals

Setup: 2 goals on each end

Coaching Points:

• Look for open goal
• Shoot when close

Warm-Up: Ball Bowling

Setup: Use cones or tall discs as “pins”

Execution: Try to knock them down with a kick

Coaching Points:

• Eye on target
• Smooth strike

Ball Mastery: Short Passes to Coach

Execution: Coach plays ball back to player after each pass

Coaching Points:

• Use inside of foot
• Weight of pass

Themed Activity: Target Practice

Execution: Score points by hitting cone or knocking object inside goal

Coaching Points:

• Lock ankle
• Focus on direction

• Game: Shooting Relay
• Execution: Teams race to dribble and shoot into goal, then return
• Coaching Points:
• Don’t rush the shot
• Celebrate effort

Practice 1

• Warm-Up: Mirror Dribbling (in pairs)
• Execution: One leads, other mirrors their movements
• Coaching Points:
• Keep ball close
• Communicate non-verbally

Ball Mastery: Partner Dribbling

Execution: Dribble side-by-side in control

Coaching Points:

• Match speed
• Awareness of space

Themed Activity: Passing Gates

Setup: Cones as gates; partners pass through

Coaching Points:

• Pass with inside
• Communicate “pass!” and “ready!”

Game: 2v2 or 3v3 Mini-Matches

Coaching Points:

• Look up for teammate
• Simple passes

Warm-Up: Ball Tunnel

Execution: Players line up; pass through teammate’s “tunnel” legs

Coaching Points:

• Aim carefully
• Controlled pace

Ball Mastery: Dribble and Pass to Coach

Execution: Receive and return, dribble back

Coaching Points:

• Use both feet
• Controlled dribble

Themed Activity: Switch the Ball

Execution: Dribble and pass across field to partner

Coaching Points:

• Look before passing
• Move after pass

Game: 4-Goal Game

Setup: 2 small goals on each end

Coaching Points:

• Look for open goal
• Encourage teamwork

Warm-Up: Dance Dribble

Execution: Dribble while music plays. Stop and do dance move when music stops

Coaching Points:

• Encourage silliness
• Keep energy fun

Ball Mastery: Favorite Touches Review

Execution: Let kids show off favorite dribbling skill learned

Coaching Points:

• Celebrate creativity
• Positive feedback

Themed Activity: Obstacle Course Challenge

Execution: Time or team challenge through cones and goals

Coaching Points:

• Fun over precision
• Support each other

Game: Round Robin 3v3 Mini-Tournament

Execution: Rotate teams every 5–7 minutes

Coaching Points:

• Let them lead
• Applaud effort

Warm-Up: Ball Juggling, Trick Sharing

Activity: Skills Showcase & Obstacle Challenge

Game: Parent vs. Player Friendly Match