I think it might be a good idea if you actually asked your players what they plan on doing this summer to prepare for next season. Hand them a sheet of paper and a pen and ask them to write down all they know about the 1 vs. 1 game. Then…
At your next practice teach them how to place objects (shoe, hat, cone, etc.) on the ground to represent goals. Teach them, when they have possession of the ball (Attack) and score by dribbling through the opponents goal. Teach them, when they don’t have possession of the ball (Defend) and protect their goal. Then…
Have them play 1 minute 1 vs. 1 games against every player on the team and write down the score of each game. After they have played against everyone on the team total-up and tell them their scores. Let them know who the starting players for the next game would be as a result of these scores. Then…
Hand them another sheet of paper and ask them to write down what they experienced/learned when playing these 1 vs. 1 game. Then…
Hold a discussion how the summer time could be the greatest time to play 1 vs. 1 pick-up games, practice new skills, and enjoy learning to control the ball in a fun-creative way. Like this…
Make sure your players understand that all it takes is a ball, a goal (objects) and two players to play a game of soccer with priceless benefits!
Finally, ask them to keep score of each game that they play and have them send their weekly results to you All Summer Long!
