Country: USA #238536.OR Show D Ro your support in this 100% cotton tee!A question that many of my kid's parents ask me is "What can I do to work with my child on their own?" Parents don't always have time to take their kids down to the soccer field and are often looking for things they can do in the backyard with their players.
My boys and I came up with a game one afternoon after watching the World Cup that still is a big favorite of theirs. Kids like to shoot and score, and this game is all about shooting and scoring.
They just call it "Penalty Kicks." What we do is set up two goals on either side of the back yard.
You'll want the goals far enough apart so that you can pass the ball through the cones about 3 out of 4 times. You can use cones or mini-goals. Either way, the goals should be about 4-5 feet across.
Your child can shoot closer to their goal than you to yours so that they can experience about the
same success rate (3 out of 4 in the net). Take turns alternating "penalty shots" with no goalies. Take a total of 5 each. Whoever has more wins!
If you are tied after 5 shots, go to "Sudden Death." Alternate shots until one makes it and the other doesn't. If you get the shooting distance correct for both you and your child, you can create a competitive and exciting mini-game environment.
Be sure to practice this drills with both feet. If you can start your kids out early taking shots with their right and left feet, they will thank you for it later in life!
Bert Ingley is a recognized authority on the subject of coaching youth soccer players
His web site, Ultimate Soccer Coaching, was created to be your ultimate soccer resource and is packed with soccer drills, strategies and product reviews to assist soccer coaches, parents and players in reaching their soccer goals.
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