Alligators in the swamp
Score a goal in this fun game that is ideal for pre-season training and developing technique. MORE
Fun soccer games
We recommend Fun Soccer Games as a regular part of your coaching program – fun should always be high on your agenda as a coach.
As a subscriber to this website you get access to 75 Fun Soccer Games for age groups from U5 to U15. If a subscription is not for you, visit our shop where you can buy the same games in printed and e-book formats.
Below are some great fun games. They teach kids skills but they’re all about having fun while they learn. With these games in your locker, you can’t be accused of running a boring coaching session.
‘Sharks’ and ‘fishes’ – Practice
This fun three-part session develops players’ 1v1 skills and increases confidence on the ball. By JOE KIRKLAND MORE
Alligator rivers
in Ball Control and Footwork, Elite Soccer, Fun soccer games
This session helps players brush up on their passing, their runs off the ball, dribbling and close range finishing... oh and they have to avoid the alligators in the river. MORE
Have some fun in the winter break
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games
Sometimes the break can be annoying for teams that have been playing well - first the coronavirus has stopped the season then along comes the winter holiday. But to give the kids a break it is always a good idea to do things they love to play and have fun at the last training session of the year. MORE
Shrinking goal
This is a great game since it provides a natural handicap that makes even the most unequal of teams (in terms of player skill) equal. So let your players choose their own teams, if necessary, and enjoy the game’s effect! MORE
Slam… for one or two players
in Ball Control and Footwork, Fun soccer games
We're all facing up to what we can do during the lockdown where there can only be one or two people in a gathering. So here is a game that can be played with one or two that is good fun and skilful MORE
Warm up circle
in Arrival activities, Fun soccer games, Warm Ups
Great for any age group, getting brains warmed up with gentle running and getting players to concentrate and think about what they have to do. Simple but very effective. MORE
Fun sessions to focus young minds
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games
Getting back into the swing of training every week can be hard work. Certainly for me when faced with a dozen U9 players training last night was very stop/start as players got their legs working again and tried to pass and receive. MORE
Last training before Christmas?
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games
It is such a busy time of the year and parents and coaches alike still need to think about getting to training and running sessions that keeps the players focused even though their minds are on Christmas. And the fact that they had their Christmas party at the club at the weekend already gives an end of term feel! MORE
Shooting competition
This session coaches two-touch shooting, one of the weapons Aaron Ramsey of Juventus uses on the edge of the area to control and fire in a shot. This is a fun game that gets players competing against each other in teams MORE
Where’s the fun in that?
in Blog, Fun soccer games
Young players learn a lot from the environment you create, the words you use and the way you explain the sessions to them. Making sure the atmosphere and the games are fun is key to success in your coaching. MORE
Throw-in frenzy
in Fun soccer games, Set pieces
Use this fun training session to encourage your players to take quick throw-ins in order to catch your opponents off guard and create scoring chances MORE
Waiting for players
in Arrival activities, Fun soccer games
This session is set up so that as players arrive they can easily join in without you needing to stop or change the session. The arrival activity shown here is geared towards closing down the opposition in midfield. Set up You need balls, bibs and cones in an area 20×20 yards. Numbers build up as... MORE
Rapid shooting
in Arrival activities, Fun soccer games, Shooting
This fun, shooting activity gives all players the opportunity to shoot in a fast paced competitive game. MORE
Bees and wasps
in Fun soccer games, Soccer dribbling drills
This fun session gives players an understanding of how to defend and develop team communication. It also works on dribbling, and it encourages awareness of space and helps players to see what’s around them by keeping their heads up. MORE
Switch and Score
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
If you use this session your players will improve their ability to switch play, to play with their heads up and it will speed up their decision making. MORE
Three Ways to Win
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
Use this fast-paced game to improve dribbling skills, ball control and shooting. MORE
Attack! Attack!
in Fun soccer games, Other, Soccer drills and skills
Age group: U7 – U14 Set up: Create a 20 x 30 playing area. This might seem like a big area for just four players but the big space will create more breakaway situations and will encourage players to run into spaces during matches. Place a small goal on each end line. Split your... MORE
I Need a Doctor!
in Fun soccer games, Soccer drills and skills
I Need a Doctor! is a fun game for six to eight-year-olds. It improves their co-ordination, dribbling skills and ability to make decisions. MORE
Inject some fun into pre-season
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games, Pre-season
Pre-season fitness and warm-up routines can be very demanding on young players, so amongst all the hard work it's important to remember to add some elements of fun into your sessions. MORE
5 ways to have fun at training
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games, Tips and advice
Kids like nothing more than to have fun – and fun games are great for encouraging youth teams to play with flair and imagination. MORE
Loving the game and smashing it in midfield
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games, Midfield
Ask Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante how young players can learn from him and play like him and he will tell you: “They need to love the game. I loved it so much I played all the time. I played before school, at school, after school, then I’d go to my club and train or play a... MORE
Up and Down
in Attacking, Fun soccer games
A game for reacting to gained or lost ball, speed and direction, passing and forward runs, defend and delay, and recovery runs to mark players or space. MORE
Triple Whammy
in Attacking, Fun soccer games
This fun game has reactions to call/ball. First touch (may be a shot or header). Support from team mates. Dribble and shoot/pass and follow ups. MORE
