I Need a Doctor!

by Steve Watson 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.

Set-up: Create a 20-yard square with two 4×4 “hospitals” marked within the square with flat cones.

Divide your players into two teams. Every player has a ball.

How to play: One team dribbles in the playing area while the other team of attackers attempts to hit them with their ball below the knee.

Players who are hit become “patients” and call “doctor!” while holding their ball above their head.

The dribbling team has two “doctors” who are based in the “hospitals”.

They can save any of their patients by leaving the hospital and touching them but if either doctor is hit below the knee by a ball, the game is over and the attacking team wins.

Play two minute rounds. If the doctors aren’t hit by a ball, the team with the least number of patients when time is called is the winner.

Make sure your players understand that they must aim below the knee. Encourage the attackers to get close to their targets and use side foot passes aimed at feet rather than powerful shots.

Share this: Share

Continuous crossing

in Crossing, Soccer drills and skills

If you want your players to hone their crossing skills, try this non-stop training game aimed at helping them get the ball into the box at the right time. MORE

Slam

in Ball Control and Footwork, Fun soccer games

It’s rare that I advise coaches to set up games and drills that require props, such as a wall, because not all soccer coaches will have access to one, but Slam is one game where it’s worth making the effort. Game to improve players’ kicking skills If you want a game which can improve kicking... MORE

Make training fun during the January break

in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games

Fun games are a great way to make sure players are coming back to training every week especially during periods where there are no games. MORE

A fantastic coaching bonanza

in Email newsletters, Soccer drills and skills

It is that time of year when coaches of all nationalities are drawn to the United States to gather together at the largest soccer convention in the world. And, yes, I will be in Chicago because this an unmissable event. I love to see all the coaches that I have come to know through SoccerCoachWeekly.net... MORE

Cops and robbers

in Attacking, Soccer drills and skills, Warm Ups

You can use this fun warm up to teach young players the basics of attacking and defending. Awareness of where players are and the ability to control, pass and stop the ball can all be coached with this drill. MORE

Dribbling gates

in Soccer drills and skills, Warm Ups

I was asked at training last week: “How do you warm a striker up?” The answer has to be: “The same as everyone else.” A striker has to control, pass and run with the ball. They will not be shooting the whole time, indeed they may only shoot once or twice in a game. I... MORE