Square Dance
Objective:
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To start practice in a lively way.
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A fun warm-up that introduces and develops the fundamentals of dribbling.
Target:
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Stay in the area with the ball and make no contact with other players or other balls.
Organization
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Mark a square approximately 15 yards by 15 yards, depending on numbers.
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Each player should have a ball.
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If not, use the "Change Soccer" principle: half the players inside the square, each with a ball, the remaining half outside the square, without a ball. Trade places when coach shouts "Change!"
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Players can dribble around anywhere within the square, but should not walk.
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Three instructions are given to the players inside the square:
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"STOP" - Put foot on top of ball quickly and freeze like a statue.
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"GO" - Move right or left with the ball, fast, for three or four yards.
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"TURN" - Quickly turn 180 degrees with the ball, moving three or four yards.
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Teaching
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Encourage players to keep the ball close to their feet.
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Occasionally insist on using left foot only or right foot only.
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See how many different ways they can turn with the ball.
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To avoid giving players too much information at once, introduce instructions one at a time and incorporate practice time between.
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Later, incorporate your own ideas.
Progressions
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Use "Simon says..." or "Coach says..." to intensify the fun.
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We have encouraged the teaching of various dribbling moves during the Square Dance and similar activities. We recommend Robbie Stahl’s video/DVD “All the Right Moves” as an easy-to-understand program for progressive dribbling moves. [Insert WOS link]
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Refer also to the North, South, East and West exercises as well as the Square Dance Sharks.
