The Coronavirus put a sudden halt to our regular soccer activities. This will result in lots of kids spending extra time at home.
Can they sit on the couch and watch Disney? Sure! But they can also take some time to play or practice on their own. This is a hidden-in-plain-sight method for getting better quickly! Some of the ideas below require yard space, but some can be done in really small spaces, even indoors.
Week 2 play at home ideas (March 23-29):
Here are several ideas for playing at home. We’ll post a new set each week. Each topic has a link to descriptions of the game or skill, along with a demo video.
The games call for two or more people (and observe current social distancing advisories), but the foot skills work just fine with one player by herself. If you’e a ruler and zip through this week’s activities and want more, check our Playing At Home page.
Games:
Electric fence 1v1 dribbling game:
The electric fence game makes a return visit to our list, with an adjustment made to observe social distancing guidelines. It’s a 1v1v game that encourages the attacker to use tricks such as changes of direction, fake changes of direction, and changes of speed. Best played in a 15 x 10 yard space.
Field slam! (a 1v1 ball-striking game):
Field slam! is a ground-based version of soccer tennis. It helps develop ball striking skills (passing/shooting), receiving skills, and also has a basic soma online cheap strategy factor. Best played in a 15 x 10 yard space.
Have a big yard?
Passing marbles or soccer golf require a lot of space, but are fun games that put an emphasis on ball striking skills (passing/shooting).
Foot Skills:
Dribbling move of the week (basic) — the hip shimmy:
The hip shimmy is a trick that helps you create space away from a defender. It works well as a starting move when you play electric fence.
Dribbling move of the week (advanced) — the stop turn / step-over turn combination:
The stop turn / step-over turn combination ties together two different turns. It looks impressive, and it works! But it’s a challenge to learn because there are a lot of different body and foot movements. If you practice it enough, you’ll get it. Works great when you can’t quite outrun a speedy defender.
V-pull moves:
Also back for a return visit. Why? Because V-pull moves work at any level of play! Can be practiced in a small space, even indoors.
Juggling:
Check out the Tobin Heath juggling video. We’ll bet an Airhead that you’ll want to go outside and try to juggle after you watch this! (But don’t juggle indoor unless you’re juggling a balloon!) If you’re still new to juggling, let the ball bounce after each touch.
Parent information:
- Thoughts from Tom Byer, an expert in youth soccer development, about using the Coronavirus down time productively: https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/85221/tom-byer-this-is-an-opportunity-to-focus-on-indi.html