Futsal Practice Plan
Week 1 - The Basics
Meet the players and brief introduction of futsal - 2 minutes
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Coaching point: Greeting game - Have the players run within a designated area high fiving each other while telling their teammate their name.
Coaching point: These are great, and they are fun for the kids. Try to make specific rules about sitting down in a straight line when they finish. If they don’t do it the other team wins. The idea is that all the teams will soon be very diligent about being organized because they want to win. Incorporate shiftiness, changing directions sharply, pushing off with the outside foot to change directions. These movements are essential in soccer and futsal so practicing them young is fantastic.
Basic Dribbling (both feet) - 12 minutes:
Using sole of foot
Dragging/pulling the ball backwards (primary and easiest)
Two cone shuffle drill – dribble from one cone to another cone and back
Cone Weave – dribble through a series of cones and back
Water break - 1 minute
Passing - 10 minutes:
Partners 5 yards apart maximum for these ages, receiving the ball every time with the sole
Alternating passing drill
Coaching point: Remind players to keep eyes up and in line with the ball. Keep them on their toes and keep the ball rolling. Use the inside of foot in the middle of the ball to push the pass on the ground. Try one touch with third/fourth graders.
Scoring Goals (Shooting) - 10 minutes:
Shoot with toe, inside, and instep (laces)
Cone weave and shoot - dribble through a series of cones and take a shot on goal
Introduce Goalkeeper
Water break - 1 minute
Scrimmage - 20 minutes
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Week 2 - Introduce how to play a futsal game
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Practice kick-ins, corner kicks, and free kicks - 8 minutes
Coaching point: Kick-ins are hugely important, goal clearance (throws) are significant, and corner kicks are vital to understand. Make sure the players give distance to the kicker from all plays starting from out of bounds. The player kicking in can tell them to back up and shouldn’t start until they do.
Show and explain player positions - 7 minutes
Goalkeeper, Target (Pivo), Winger (Ala), Defender (Fixo)
Coaching point: the best way to start is in a 2-2, then shift to a diamond or a 1-2-1
Real Game 40 minutes duration
Coaching point: Let them play and have fun and give generous praise.
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Week 3 - Moving with the ball
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Running with the Ball - 8 minutes
1/2 graders – relay race with ball, red light/green light/yellow light/blue light, or Simon Says
Coaching point: Good listening drill. Dribble with toe in and down but keep the ball close. Practice stopping with the ball quickly. At some point limit players to dribble with sole of foot only and move in a different direction and create space.
3/4 graders - futsal running with the ball drill - Yahoo Video Search Results
Drag, foot under ball, every touch, sole of foot, sole/drag, outside trap, touch but not every step (see first 1:30 of video). Have them use the lines.
Coaching point: Make sure stopping the ball with the sole of the foot is always the most important thing. Passing the ball should always be directly to their teammate, not in front and not behind them. Hard passes on the floor and directly to their teammates should always be praised.
Receiving and dribbling with some pressure to goal - 7 minutes
1/2 grade – 1 v 1 to goal (offense receive pass from coach and then dribble, defender tries to stop player, and shooting with no goalie)
3/4 grade - 2 v 1 to goal – give offense advantage over defender by encouraging teamwork. Introduce a goalie.
Coaching point: Using sole of foot (to receive the ball always, EVERY TIME). Shift ball quickly. Keep the ball rolling. Balance body to change direction.
Real Game 40 minutes duration
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Week 4 - Controlling the ball
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Player keeping ball at their feet - 8 minutes
1/2 grade – practice feet and sole
3/4 grade – practice feet, sole, and thigh
Possession - 7 minutes
1/2 grade – Play Keep-a-way
Coaching point: Encourage teammates to call each other’s name. Have them try using both feet.
3/4 grade – Play Knockout
Knockout (Soccer) | PHYSEDGAMES
Coaching point: Encourage keeping the ball close, touch ball often, and keep head up. Encourage changing speed and direction.
Real Game 40 minutes duration
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Week 5 – Attacking/Shooting Under Pressure
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Offensive Transitioning (from the back forward) - 7 minutes
1/2 grade – Dribble to goal and Crocs in the River game
Crocs in the River - U6 Soccer Dribbling Activity (soccerdrive.com)
Coaching point: Coach or student volunteer is crocodile in the river. Have the players avoid bumping into each other and speed dribble while they can.
3/4 grade – 2 v 2 start from the back of court and move toward to the other side
Passing half-way line and attacking to goal - 8 minutes
1/2 grade – 2 v 0 to goal with no goalie
3/4 grade – 3 v 2 with goalie
Coaching point: Set up a target in goal such as a cone to help with accuracy.
Real Game 40 minutes duration
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Week 6 - Defense
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
8 minutes - Defense
1/2 grade - Sharks and minnows (defenders)
Sharks and Minnows (Fun Soccer Game for Kids!) (soccercoachingpro.com)
Coaching point: Allow everyone to be a shark and a minnow. Add a set to have the players dribble with the soles of their feet. Encourage the dribblers to change direction and keep control of the ball. Teach the defenders how to tackle the ball and not make contact with the player. No slide tackles!
3/4 grade - Teach man to man marking and have one player dribble against another and switch off
7 minutes - Defense and Transitioning
1/2 grade – Clean Your Room
clean your room soccer game - Yahoo Video Search Results
Coaching point: On a split field. One team of all remaining players plays against two opposing players. 10-12 soccer balls are spread around one half of the field. On the coach's signal, the players run in from the end line and try to clear all the balls into the other half. The two opposing players try to play them back across the half line. The drill is over when all the balls are played out of the half. Gets teams working together but it also teaches players to play with a sense of urgency. They need to run quickly, react to the ball coming towards them, and quickly clear it out so they can move onto the next one. Have players keep head up and know where they want to play the ball (away from the two players) so when ball comes to them it’s a quick trap with sole and pass.
3/4 grade – 4 v 4 or 5 v 4 (if there is an odd # of players)
Coaching point: Focus on speed, agility, and decision-making. Concentrate on the players ability to transition attack to defense.
The Final Real Game 40 minutes duration
Week 1 - The Basics
Meet the players and brief introduction of futsal - 2 minutes
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Coaching point: Greeting game - Have the players run within a designated area high fiving each other while telling their teammate their name.
Coaching point: These are great, and they are fun for the kids. Try to make specific rules about sitting down in a straight line when they finish. If they don’t do it the other team wins. The idea is that all the teams will soon be very diligent about being organized because they want to win. Incorporate shiftiness, changing directions sharply, pushing off with the outside foot to change directions. These movements are essential in soccer and futsal so practicing them young is fantastic.
Basic Dribbling (both feet) - 12 minutes:
Using sole of foot
Dragging/pulling the ball backwards (primary and easiest)
Two cone shuffle drill – dribble from one cone to another cone and back
Cone Weave – dribble through a series of cones and back
Water break - 1 minute
Passing - 10 minutes:
Partners 5 yards apart maximum for these ages, receiving the ball every time with the sole
Alternating passing drill
Coaching point: Remind players to keep eyes up and in line with the ball. Keep them on their toes and keep the ball rolling. Use the inside of foot in the middle of the ball to push the pass on the ground. Try one touch with third/fourth graders.
Scoring Goals (Shooting) - 10 minutes:
Shoot with toe, inside, and instep (laces)
Cone weave and shoot - dribble through a series of cones and take a shot on goal
Introduce Goalkeeper
Water break - 1 minute
Scrimmage - 20 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2 - Introduce how to play a futsal game
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Practice kick-ins, corner kicks, and free kicks - 8 minutes
Coaching point: Kick-ins are hugely important, goal clearance (throws) are significant, and corner kicks are vital to understand. Make sure the players give distance to the kicker from all plays starting from out of bounds. The player kicking in can tell them to back up and shouldn’t start until they do.
Show and explain player positions - 7 minutes
Goalkeeper, Target (Pivo), Winger (Ala), Defender (Fixo)
Coaching point: the best way to start is in a 2-2, then shift to a diamond or a 1-2-1
Real Game 40 minutes duration
Coaching point: Let them play and have fun and give generous praise.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3 - Moving with the ball
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Running with the Ball - 8 minutes
1/2 graders – relay race with ball, red light/green light/yellow light/blue light, or Simon Says
Coaching point: Good listening drill. Dribble with toe in and down but keep the ball close. Practice stopping with the ball quickly. At some point limit players to dribble with sole of foot only and move in a different direction and create space.
3/4 graders - futsal running with the ball drill - Yahoo Video Search Results
Drag, foot under ball, every touch, sole of foot, sole/drag, outside trap, touch but not every step (see first 1:30 of video). Have them use the lines.
Coaching point: Make sure stopping the ball with the sole of the foot is always the most important thing. Passing the ball should always be directly to their teammate, not in front and not behind them. Hard passes on the floor and directly to their teammates should always be praised.
Receiving and dribbling with some pressure to goal - 7 minutes
1/2 grade – 1 v 1 to goal (offense receive pass from coach and then dribble, defender tries to stop player, and shooting with no goalie)
3/4 grade - 2 v 1 to goal – give offense advantage over defender by encouraging teamwork. Introduce a goalie.
Coaching point: Using sole of foot (to receive the ball always, EVERY TIME). Shift ball quickly. Keep the ball rolling. Balance body to change direction.
Real Game 40 minutes duration
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4 - Controlling the ball
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Player keeping ball at their feet - 8 minutes
1/2 grade – practice feet and sole
3/4 grade – practice feet, sole, and thigh
Possession - 7 minutes
1/2 grade – Play Keep-a-way
Coaching point: Encourage teammates to call each other’s name. Have them try using both feet.
3/4 grade – Play Knockout
Knockout (Soccer) | PHYSEDGAMES
Coaching point: Encourage keeping the ball close, touch ball often, and keep head up. Encourage changing speed and direction.
Real Game 40 minutes duration
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 5 – Attacking/Shooting Under Pressure
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
Offensive Transitioning (from the back forward) - 7 minutes
1/2 grade – Dribble to goal and Crocs in the River game
Crocs in the River - U6 Soccer Dribbling Activity (soccerdrive.com)
Coaching point: Coach or student volunteer is crocodile in the river. Have the players avoid bumping into each other and speed dribble while they can.
3/4 grade – 2 v 2 start from the back of court and move toward to the other side
Passing half-way line and attacking to goal - 8 minutes
1/2 grade – 2 v 0 to goal with no goalie
3/4 grade – 3 v 2 with goalie
Coaching point: Set up a target in goal such as a cone to help with accuracy.
Real Game 40 minutes duration
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 6 - Defense
Dynamic Warmup – 5 minutes
Relay races and/or freeze tag (something fun and energetic to get the players moving)
Jog, shuffle, high knees, butt kicks, high leg kicks, bear crawls, crab walks, sprints, fast feet
8 minutes - Defense
1/2 grade - Sharks and minnows (defenders)
Sharks and Minnows (Fun Soccer Game for Kids!) (soccercoachingpro.com)
Coaching point: Allow everyone to be a shark and a minnow. Add a set to have the players dribble with the soles of their feet. Encourage the dribblers to change direction and keep control of the ball. Teach the defenders how to tackle the ball and not make contact with the player. No slide tackles!
3/4 grade - Teach man to man marking and have one player dribble against another and switch off
7 minutes - Defense and Transitioning
1/2 grade – Clean Your Room
clean your room soccer game - Yahoo Video Search Results
Coaching point: On a split field. One team of all remaining players plays against two opposing players. 10-12 soccer balls are spread around one half of the field. On the coach's signal, the players run in from the end line and try to clear all the balls into the other half. The two opposing players try to play them back across the half line. The drill is over when all the balls are played out of the half. Gets teams working together but it also teaches players to play with a sense of urgency. They need to run quickly, react to the ball coming towards them, and quickly clear it out so they can move onto the next one. Have players keep head up and know where they want to play the ball (away from the two players) so when ball comes to them it’s a quick trap with sole and pass.
3/4 grade – 4 v 4 or 5 v 4 (if there is an odd # of players)
Coaching point: Focus on speed, agility, and decision-making. Concentrate on the players ability to transition attack to defense.
The Final Real Game 40 minutes duration