6U Practice Curriculum

Overview

This curriculum is designed for York Youth Soccer League (YYSL) 6U Division. Players will learn the fundamentals of soccer, develop individual skills, and understand the value of teamwork.

Guiding principles

  • Keep it fun, active, and simple
  • Maximize ball touches (every player with a ball whenever possible)
  • Short explanations, quick demonstrations
  • Frequent water breaks as needed
  • Success is defined as smiling kids who want to come back next week

Practice format (60 minutes)

  • 10 min – Warm-up game with ball
  • 20 min – Skill activity 1
  • 20 min – Skill activity 2
  • 10 min – Scrimmage (6v6 or smaller)

Week 1 – Introduction to Soccer & Dribbling

Theme: Getting comfortable with the ball

Drill 1: Free Dribble Exploration

Setup:

  • Use cones to create a large square (20x20 yards or larger)
  • Each player has a ball inside the area

Objective & Expectations:

  • Players dribble freely using any part of their feet
  • Encourage stopping the ball, changing direction, and keeping it close
  • No pressure, no rules beyond staying inside the area

Parent Help: Assist kids who wander off or lose focus

Drill 2: Red Light, Green Light

Setup:

  • Players line up on one side of the grid with balls
  • Coach stands on the opposite side

Objective & Expectations:

  • "Green light" = dribble forward
  • "Red light" = stop ball with foot
  • Introduce control and listening skills

Scrimmage

  • Setup: 3v3 or 4v4 if numbers allow
  • Expectation: Let them play, minimal instruction

Week 2 – Dribbling with Control

Theme: Keeping the ball close

Drill 1: Dribble & Stop

Setup:

  • Large grid, one ball per player

Objective & Expectations:

  • Coach calls out body parts to stop the ball (foot, sole)
  • Emphasize soft touches

Parent Help: Assist kids who wander off or lose focus

Drill 2: Sharks & Minnows (no stealing)

Setup:

  • All players (minnows have balls)
  • Coaches are sharks without balls

Objective & Expectations:

  • Sharks try to kick balls out (gently)
  • Minnows re-enter immediately if the ball goes out

Parent help: Act as additional sharks

Scrimmage