This game is a variation of Sharks and Minnows. This game is fun and will teach control and the importance of keeping the ball close. The coach will wait a moment turn around and anyone still moving must go back to the beginning. Once the coach yells, “red light” the kids must stop in their tracks. The coach will then yell, “green light!” and the kids will begin to dribble towards the coach. In this version, have the kids line up at a start line and have the coach or adult stand 15-20 yards away with their backs facing the kids. This is a soccer spin on a classic schoolyard game. This will greatly improve listening skills and promote body awareness in kids. It’s also fun to add some random tricks and commands such as skipping, jumping, clapping or kicking the ball as far as they can. Examples of things you can say can range. Each player gets a ball to dribble and must listen for instructions from “Simon”. This is a great way to have fun while practicing listening skills and learning body awareness. The last two minnows that haven’t been eliminated take the place of the sharks for the next round. Each minnow gets two chances before being out for good. If a minnow’s ball is kicked out, the minnow must run one lap of the grid before being allowed back in. The sharks must try and kick the minnow’s balls’ out of the grid as the minnows dribble the balls away from the sharks. Each player gets a soccer ball except two “sharks”.
Sharks and MinnowsĪnother fun game that instills fundamentals in the young soccer player, sharks and minnows require a grid of about 20x25 yards. While this game is good fun for the kids, it also teaches dribbling and helps kids keep their heads up as they look for the coach in the grid. When a ball hits the coach, the coach should yell “Ouch!” for extra fun. The kids must dribble their soccer balls around the grid and try to hit the coach with the ball.
The coach or adult then goes into the middle of the grid and starts to run around. You can make the grid bigger or smaller depending on how many kids there are and the ages and skill levels. This is a fun game for kids to get some revenge on the grown-ups! Start by giving each kid a ball and marking off a 20x30 yard grid.
Our five favorite soccer games for kids include: 1. When it comes to entertaining the kiddies with soccer, there are a plethora of games to play that will help develop skills while also allowing the kids to let loose and have fun. Soccer doesn’t always have to be a competitive sport.