Five Fun Games for Kids with the Soccer Ball
If you have young kids who are starting soccer, your biggest priority is to get them comfortable with the game. Kids who have fun are more likely to continue on in the sport and succeed, while kids who feel it is too difficult or who are getting bored will not be inclined to. Here are some fun games to play that will get your child ready for the field while having fun with them at the same time.
Keeping Your Yard Clean
The first game, keeping your yard clean, can help children practice their aim and kicking. Divide your players into two teams, and place them on opposite sides of the field. In the middle, create a player free zone where they cannot cross. This can vary in size depending on the skill and age of your players. Give each player a ball. At the signal, everyone must try to get rid of the balls on their half of the field by kicking them to the other team’s side. Allow play to continue for several minutes, then stop and count balls. The side with the fewest balls wins. If this becomes too easy for your players, or you wish to switch it up a little, try some variations. You can have players use only their left foot to kick, they can throw the balls back to the other team, or they may have to dribble the ball around a cone or goal post before being able to kick it back.
Red Light, Green Light
A second good game is red light, green light. The regular version of the game is already familiar to many young players. To set up, every player has a ball except for the “light”. Place the players with balls approximately 20 to 30 yards away from the line where the “light” is standing. The “light” then turns around so that he or she cannot see the other players and yells “green light”. The players with balls must run and dribble towards the light. After a moment, the “light” calls out “red light” and turns around. Any player or ball still moving must take 5 steps back (or for older players send them back to start). The “light” then turns back around, away from the players calling out “green light” and repeating until one player has crossed the line. That player is then the winner and the new “light”.
The Blind Leading the Blind
A third game is the blind leading the blind. For this game, group your players into equal sized, even numbered teams, and then have teammates choose a partner. You can have several teams depending on the size of your group. Space all of the teams about five yards apart, with everyone facing forward. In front of each team, place a “gate” – two cones that are on the ground, about three feet apart from each other. In each pair, one player covers the eyes of their partner with a blindfold, and then places a ball between their partner’s feet. Once the race begins, the partner that can still see has to talk the blindfolded one and the ball through the gates. The guide cannot touch the ball or the other player. Once through the gate, the pair must switch places and navigate back. Then the next pair on the team goes. The first team to get all players through the gate and back, wins.
Freeze Tag
Freeze tag is a fourth game that is popular with many kids. Set up an area of the field for players to dribble in. After a few moments, choose one or two players to be “it”. These players do not have a ball, but must go around and “freeze” their other players. When a player has been “frozen”, they must stand with their feet apart and the ball held over their head. To “unfreeze” a player, another teammate must dribble their ball between the “frozen” player’s legs. Switch the “It” person often so that everyone gets a chance.
Follow the Leader
Follow the leader is a game that is good for all age groups. Pick one player to be the leader, and then have them dribble their ball on the field, encouraging them to make turns, change speed, etc. All other players must follow suit. For older players, you can switch it up into a game of “HORSE” – every time that they fail to follow the leader properly they earn a letter, once they spell “HORSE” they are out. Switch the leader often.
Remember, the goal of games is for your young soccer players to have a good time as well as practice their soccer skills. Do not play any game to the point where everyone is sick of it; instead, switch it up as often as possible.