In-House U7 Training Guide

Theme: "Everyone is a soccer player!"

Warm-up: Freeze Tag (no ball)

• Setup: 20x20 yard grid. 1 or 2 taggers.
• Execution: Players run inside the grid avoiding taggers. If tagged, they freeze in place. Others can unfreeze by crawling between their legs.
• Coaching Points:
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Encourage quick movement and spatial awareness.
• Promote teamwork by helping unfreeze others.
• Reinforce listening to instructions.

Activity 1: Ball Mastery Obstacle Course

• Setup: Create a course with cones, zig-zags, gates, and a small goal at the end. Each player starts with a ball.
• Execution: Kids dribble through obstacles (around cones, through gates) using both feet, then shoot at the goal. Reset and repeat.
• Coaching Points:
• Keep the ball close and under control.
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Use both feet when dribbling.
• Encourage players to try different ways to get around cones.

Activity 2: Red Light, Green Light (dribbling)

• Setup: Players line up on one side of a 20x15 yard grid with a ball. Coach at the opposite side.
• Execution:
• Green Light = dribble forward
• Red Light = stop the ball
• Yellow Light = slow dribble
• Windshield Wipers = Tick Tocks
• Black Light = Dance Party
• Watch out for Deer = Change Directions to avoid coaches
• Coaching Points:
• Listen carefully to the coach’s commands.
• Focus on controlled stops.
• Practice quick starts and stops.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "Be the sneaky fox!"

Warm-up: Animal Movements

• Setup: 20x20 yard space. No ball.
• Execution: Coach calls out movements (e.g., bunny hops, bear crawls, kangaroo jumps). Add variety by racing to lines.
• Coaching Points:
• Emphasize creativity and fun in movement.
• Encourage full-body activity and coordination.

Activity 1: Foxes and Hens

• Setup: 20x20 grid. Each child with a ball. Coach or helper = fox.
• Execution: Kids = hens, dribbling to avoid fox. If the fox tags their ball, they do a silly task (e.g., chicken dance), then return.
• Coaching Points:
• Keep head up while dribbling.
• Change direction quickly.
• Use shielding techniques to protect the ball.

Activity 2: Zig-Zag Cone Dribbling

• Setup: Lines of cones (5–6 spaced 2–3 feet apart).
• Execution: Players dribble in a zig-zag, turning around each cone using inside/outside of foot. Emphasize control over speed.
• Coaching Points:
• Focus on using both feet.
• Encourage short, soft touches.
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Praise control over speed.

Game: Dribble Gates

• Setup: Gates (two cones about 3 ft apart) scattered across a 20x25 area.
• Execution: Kids play 3v3 or 4v4. A point is scored by dribbling through a gate.
• Coaching Points:
• Emphasize decision-making (find open gates).
• Promote teamwork and communication.
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Reward creative dribbling.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "Stop the ball like a superhero!"

Warm-up: Red Light, Green Light (+ Pump Up The Tire for Toe Taps)

• Setup and Execution: Same as Week 1 Activity 2, but add toe taps for pump up the tire.
• Coaching Points:
• Reinforce ball control while moving and stopping.
• Emphasize balance and quick footwork.

Activity 1: Monster Stomp

• Setup: 15x15 grid. Players with balls.
• Execution: Kids dribble until the coach yells “Monster!”—they must stop the ball with the bottom of their foot and freeze like a statue.
• Coaching Points:
• Emphasize strong foot placement on the ball.
• Encourage balance and fun monster poses.
• Promote quick reaction to commands.

Activity 2: Dribble & Stop Challenge

• Setup: Lines of cones or zones where they must stop the ball.
• Execution: Dribble across field, stop in a designated zone. Mix up commands: “stop with sole,” “stop and hop,” etc.
• Coaching Points:
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Focus on ball control and coordination.
• Reinforce different stopping techniques.
• Encourage listening and quick execution.

Game: Partner Relay Races

• Setup: Divide into pairs with 1 ball. Relay setup with cone 10–15 yards away.
• Execution: Dribble to cone, stop the ball, partner retrieves it, returns. Repeat.
• Coaching Points:
• Encourage teamwork and support.
• Highlight good ball stopping and retrieval skills.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "Be a team hero!"

Warm-up: Shadow Dribble

• Setup: Players in pairs. One ball per pair.
• Execution: Leader dribbles while partner mirrors them ("shadow"). Switch roles after 30–60 seconds.
• Coaching Points:
• Promote ball control while observing partner.
• Encourage communication and mimicking skills.

Activity 1: Gate Passing

• Setup: Gates (2 cones 2 yards apart) across a 15x20 yard area.
• Execution: Pairs pass the ball through the gate, move to a new gate. Encourage proper technique (inside of foot).
• Coaching Points:
• Use inside of foot to pass accurately.
• Call for the ball before passing.
• Focus on receiving with soft touch.
• ”Keep your head up!”

Activity 2: Pass & Chase

• Setup: Same pair setup. 10 yards apart.
• Execution: Player A passes, runs around Player B, who then does the same. Focus on timing, teamwork, and fun.
• Coaching Points:
• Promote movement after the pass.
• Time the pass and run correctly.
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Keep heads up and communicate.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "Score like a star!"

Warm-up: Toe Tap & Roll

• Setup: 15x15 grid. Each player with a ball.
• Execution: Players alternate between toe taps and rolling the ball forward/back with sole.
• Coaching Points:
• Develop rhythm and coordination.
• Use soft touches and stay balanced.
• ”Keep your head up!”

Activity 1: Shooting Alley

• Setup: Small-sided goals or cones as targets, placed 10–15 yards away. Players start in line with balls.
• Execution: Players dribble forward and shoot on goal. Vary distances. Retrieve and go to the back of the line.
• Coaching Points:
• Strike with laces for power.
• Encourage aiming at corners.
• Follow through after shot.

Activity 2: 1v1 to Goal

• Setup: Create small 1v1 lanes (10x15 yards) with mini goals.
• Execution: One player attacks, the other defends. Switch roles.
• Coaching Points:
• Use dribbling to create space.
• Stay composed when shooting.
• Teach basic defending stance.

Game: Shooting Frenzy

• Setup: Multiple balls at midfield, 2 goals. 3v3 or 4v4 format.
• Execution: Free play with encouragement to shoot often.
• Coaching Points:
• Reward good shot choices.
• Encourage rebounds and second efforts.
• Celebrate goals and effort.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "Twist and turn like a ninja!"

Warm-up: Simon Says with Ball

• Setup: Each player with a ball.
• Execution: Simon says “turn left,” “shield the ball,” “roll it back,” etc.
• Coaching Points:
• Practice listening and quick reactions.
• Reinforce technical terms.

Activity 1: Turn & Go

• Setup: Players start facing away from coach. Ball behind them.
• Execution: On command, players turn, collect ball, and dribble to goal.
• Coaching Points:
• Use inside/outside turns.
• Keep body between ball and defender.
• ”Keep your head up!”
• Explode after turn.

Activity 2: King of the Ring

• Setup: 20x20 grid. All players inside with a ball.
• Execution: Players dribble while trying to knock others' balls out.
• Coaching Points:
• Focus on tight control.
• Use body to shield.
• Reinforce fair play and awareness.

Game: Turn & Shoot Challenge

• Setup: Player starts with back to goal, ball a few yards in front.
• Execution: On signal, player turns, dribbles, and shoots.
• Coaching Points:
• Encourage quick turns.
• Aim with control.
• Celebrate effort.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "Play your own game!"

Warm-up: Dribble Colors

• Setup: 20x20 yard grid. Each cone is assigned a color.
• Execution: Players dribble freely. Coach calls out a color, and players dribble to that cone. Add fun challenges (e.g., “dribble backwards to red!”).
• Coaching Points:
• Encourage heads-up dribbling.
• Reinforce listening and directional change.
• Allow kids to be expressive in movement.

Activity 1: 1v1 Maze

• Setup: Create multiple narrow channels (5x10 yards) with cones. One player defends, the other attacks.
• Execution: Attacker tries to dribble past the defender to the end line. Rotate roles.
• Coaching Points:
• Promote creativity and confidence in attacking.
• Teach basic shielding and defensive posture.
• Praise good effort, not just success.

Activity 2: Dribble & Pass

• Setup: Partners with one ball, 10 yards apart. Set cone between them.
• Execution: Player dribbles to cone, performs a turn, passes to partner.
• Coaching Points:
• Emphasize turn technique and passing accuracy.
• Encourage players to call out to one another.
• Build anticipation for real game transitions.

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.

Theme: "You're a soccer star!"

Warm-up: Favorite Moves Replay

• Setup: 15x15 yard grid. Each player with a ball.
• Execution: Players demonstrate their favorite dribbling move from past weeks. Others copy.
• Coaching Points:
• Build confidence by showcasing progress.
• Encourage positive feedback from peers.
• Make it celebratory and fun.

Activity 1: Obstacle Course Remix

• Setup: Combine elements from previous obstacle courses – cones, gates, mini-goals.
• Execution: Players complete the course, dribbling, turning, stopping, and shooting.
• Coaching Points:
• Praise effort, coordination, and creativity.
• Let kids show what they’ve learned.
• Celebrate small wins.

Activity 2: Team Relay Challenge

• Setup: Divide into small teams. Create relay paths with cones.
• Execution: Each player dribbles to cone and back, then tags teammate.
• Coaching Points:
• Promote team spirit and cheering.
• Reinforce technique under light pressure.
• End with group high-fives.

Game: Big Game Finale (3v3 or 4v4)

• Setup: Play on larger grid with small goals. Use multiple fields if needed.
• Execution: Let teams play short matches. Rotate as needed. Optionally keep time or score.
• Coaching Points:
• Let the kids lead and play.
• Celebrate goals, teamwork, and effort.
• End with a “trophy” or medal ceremony—even high-fives or stickers work!

Small-Sided Free Play (2v2, 3v3)

• Setup: Small fields with mini goals. Use cones if needed.
• Execution: Let kids play freely in teams of 2–3.
• Coaching Points:
• Let play flow naturally with minimal interruption.
• Encourage spacing, passing, and decision-making.
• Support creativity over strict positioning.