Winter Soccer Activities
Keep your soccer player active and engaged throughout the winter off season with the following at-home winter soccer activities! These activities are designed for players of all ages to practice proper footwork and passing techniques. That way, your player will be prepared when practice starts up again in the spring!
Figure Eight
Set up two cones or objects several yards apart. Have your player grab their soccer ball and practice controlled dribbling in a figure eight pattern between the cones. The player should focus on keeping the ball close and in control. To start they can use any surface of the foot until they are comfortable. You can time them and see how fast they can complete 5-10 figure eights by the end of the winter!
Progressions:
- Both feet
- Only dominant foot
- Only weak foot
- Inside of the foot
- Outside of the foot
- Laces dribbling (the toe should be pointed down and ankle locked, using the sweet spot)
- Use the sole of the foot to manipulate the ball facing just one direction
Mr. Wally
Clear a space against a wall that your player can use to practice proper passing and receiving technique. The player should stand back several feet from the wall and start with the inside of the foot with the ankle locked and toe pointing up. Do not use the toe to pass! Start with simple controlled passes, using as many touches as needed before moving on to some of the other progressions. Keep track of how many passes you can complete without losing control of the ball throughout the winter!
Progressions:
- Two touch passes (receiving the ball with one touch then passing it back with the second touch)
- Only dominant foot
- Only weak foot
- Laces passing
- Outside of the foot passing/receiving
- One touch (always in control)
- Backing up and adding more weight
- Create different angles of passes (player should be on their toes to move as quickly as possible)
Relay Race
Set up two lines of 4-5 cones (objects). Race your player through the cones and back using different surfaces of the foot. The focus should be on keeping control of the ball and using little touches. You can add a soccer skill (i.e. toe touches, pull back, outside cut, etc.) or a physical literacy move (i.e. jumping jacks, balance on one foot, etc.) at the end of the line of cones if wanted. Have fun and feel free to use any of the progressions below to add variety throughout the off season.
Progressions:
- Both feet
- Only dominant foot
- Only weak foot
- Laces only
Sit Down Juggling
The player should sit on the ground and use their hands to pick up the ball and drop it to their foot, aiming for the laces. The ankle should be locked and they should try to simply pass it back into their waiting hands. Begin with just one juggle and catching back into their hands until that is easy before trying to get multiple juggles with only their feet. Keep track and see how many consecutive juggles they can get come Spring Season.
Simple Ball Skills
Players can keep practicing their ball skills through the off season. Here are list of moves that can easily and safely be practiced indoors:
- Foundations (standing wide, using the inside of the foot to hit the ball back and forth)
- Ball rolls (use the bottom of the foot to roll the ball backwards and forwards or side-to-side)
- Manipulating the ball with different surfaces (inside, outside, sole, laces)
Musical Chairs/Pillows
Set up a circle of chairs or pillows to have your player dribble around while holiday music is playing. Once the music stops they must find a seat as fast as possible while maintaining control of the soccer ball. Feel free to take away chairs and to play with your soccer player.
