To help kids fall in love with soccer, coaches (or parents) should provide a fun environment that allows kids to succeed.
Think about it:
If we have young kids running through boring drills or attempting tasks that are too difficult for their age group, we risk losing their enjoyment of the sport and potential dropouts.
So, before we try to help them develop into little soccer stars, we must help them fall in love with the sport.
That’s where I want to try and help you:
In my first year as head coach of a soccer team full of 5-year-olds, I tried several different games. Some were too difficult, confusing, or not fun enough. After trial and error throughout the year, I’ve compiled a list of games my kids had the most fun with while simultaneously developing soccer and movement skills.
*Although these games were tested with 5-year-olds, I am sure they would be great with all young kids.
My Top Soccer Games for Young Kids
#1 – Wild Gorillas (aka Sharks/Minnows)
Players line up at one side of the field and, on the coach’s “Go” command, try to reach the opposite line without being tagged by the “gorillas” (coaches). To add a playful twist, players and coaches move in a deep squat like gorillas. Once tagged, players join the coaches as gorillas for the next round.
Tip: Start without soccer balls, then introduce dribbling once the kids are familiar with the game.
#2 – Clean Your Room
Create a rectangular playing area, divided into half (we separated each half with “throw down lines,” but you can use field lines or cones).
Split the players into two teams. Each team stays on their half of the playing area. The goal is to kick all the balls on your side onto the other team’s side.
Tip: For the kids, the story is always key, so we pretend your side of the field is your room, and you need to clean your room up by kicking the balls out of your room.
#3 – Steal Coaches Ball
Coaches each have a soccer ball, and the kids’ mission is to steal it from them. Every time they succeed, the kids earn a point. It’s simple, but the kids love it.
Tip: Keep a playful competition going by counting points aloud. The game can end when energy levels start to drop.
#4 – Hit The Coach
In this game, the kids try to kick their soccer balls and hit the coaches below the knee while the coaches dodge the shots.
Tip: Add a superhero story element to the game where the kids are heroes, and the coaches are the “bad guys” (make sure kids understand it’s all in fun!)
#5 – Sleeping Bear
One coach lays on the grass (pretending to be a sleeping bear) with all the soccer balls scattered around them. Together, the kids must sneak up and try to steal a soccer ball and bring it back to the starting line.
When the bear wakes, the coach growls and chases the kids back to the start.
Tip: With the young kids, we didn’t have the coach catch any kids, but they loved running away from the bear.
#6 – Astronauts
Mark off four corners of the playing area with colored cones (each corner is different and represents a planet). If you don’t have four different colors of cones, you can use anything of color to differentiate them.
The kids, as astronauts, dribble their soccer balls through space and fly to the different planets. When the coach calls out a color, they run to that planet.
Tip: Add a coach as an “alien” with a pool noodle that the kids must avoid for extra fun!
#7 – What Time is It, Mr Wolf?
The kids line up and ask the coach, “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?” The coach responds with a time (1-12), and the kids take that many steps forward (with or without a soccer ball). When the coach yells “Dinner Time!” instead of a number, the coach chases the kids back to the starting line.
Tip: Let a couple of kids be the wolf for added excitement!
#8 – Red Light, Green Light
Kids dribble their soccer balls from the starting line. When the coach yells “Green Light,” they run, and when the coach yells “Red Light,” they must stop immediately. Continue until all the kids get to the finish line.
Tip: When all kids understand the concept, you can add “Yellow Light,” where kids have to move as slowly as possible, or a “Purple Light,” where kids can choose different movements (i.e., dance party, somersault, handstand, spin jump, etc.)
#9 – Any Tag Variation
Tag is arguably the best game for speed and agility, and kids love it. Here are some variations to try:
Standard: One kid is “it” and tries to tag others. When he touches another kid (shoulders or below), that kid is now “it.” This one is best done with a smaller group and one “tagger” so kids can track who’s “it.”
Toilet bowl tag: When caught, kids must get into a quarter squat position with one arm held out to the side. A teammate must “flush their toilet” by pulling the arm down to have them join back into the game.
Freeze tag: When caught, kids must freeze with their arms and legs wide. A teammate must crawl between their legs to unfreeze them.
Arch tag: Kids who aren’t taggers must hold hands with a teammate. The pair will join hands above their heads, forming an arch shape when caught. A pair of teammates must run between their arch to have them join back into the game.
Tag Tips:
- Have one tagger for every five kids.
- Use pinnies to easily identify the taggers.
- Coaches can unfreeze a child if they’ve been stuck for too long.
General Coaching Tips for 5-Year-Olds
- Kids will play better when they are feeling comfortable. Greet them at the start of each practice with a big smile by name if possible (nametags come in handy.)
- Send kids for a quick water break when you need a minute to set up the next game.
- Keep drill instructions short and concise, and be enthusiastic when explaining the game to get them engaged.
- Have your assistant coaches help keep kids focused when you are explaining the next drill or game.
- Praise kids for their effort and hard work. Don’t worry about the outcomes for 5-year-olds. By encouraging effort, they will eventually build their skills.
Don’t Forget…
At these young ages, the goal isn’t to create superstar soccer players but to make soccer a fun, engaging experience. Help kids fall in love with the game, build athletic skills, and enjoy being active.
Have fun!
