Two fleets of star fighters start either side of the grid on their launch pads. The star fighters take off on the commander’s order to battle the opposing fleet. To score you must knock an opponent’s ball out of the grid with your ball whilst ensuring that your ball stays inside the grid. If your ball leaves the grid you have been shot down and should crash land outside of the grid. At the end of the battle the fleet with the most remaining star fighters wins.
Accuracy and weight of passing.
Area: 30×30 yard square
Players: 16, 2 teams of 8
Equipment: Cones, ball each
Star fighters prepare for battle.
As fighters are shot down they leave the area.
There can only be one winner.
“Lock on to a target”
“Try to not get shot down”
“Keep your ball close”
For older children you might allow a hit to include striking your opponent below the knee rather than knocking their ball out of the grid. Not too hard though!
Keep spare balls at each end as if a player attempts a strike and misses the ball could go anywhere. Shot down players can then act as ammunition collectors to keep the team’s supply stocked.
Long passes can be a key way to open up an opposition defence or to find space on the pitch by switching play. A great way to help young players to spot longer passing options and to see beyond the first players in their line of vision. MORE
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
A basic introduction for helping with weight and accuracy of passing. Can also be a good game for a cool down or to be used during a training session following a game. MORE
It is important for young players to recognise when the ball is passed to them by looking up at all times giving them more chance to control the ball. MORE
in Arrival activities, Passing, Warm Ups
This five minute warm up drill is all about first touch and anticipating the pass. Good for fitness and getting players ready for movement and passing in matches. MORE
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
