Soccer-Related Games

Tip # 2: Soccer-Related games are useful. I must say, I am very disappointed in all of you. I take time out of my busy schedule to write soccer tips for all of you nice folks and nobody writes back. Not a single "good girl" or "not bad for a dog" or "what an opinionated little mutt". I'm hurt. Not only am I hurt, my master told me I'm living on borrowed time...at least as a writer. But that's okay. I write better than him and I'm just a dog. Hopefully I'll hear from you all soon. Here it goes:

Soccer games are not only an excellent diversion from the everyday grind of practice, but they also help improve technique, touch. More importantly, some soccer games can be played alone or with just one additional player.

FootTennis - FootTennis is played with a soccer ball on a tennis court and can be played with two, four, six or eight players. The rules are similar to volleyball and tennis. Players can use any touch that is allowed as a field player, ie. foot, knee, thigh, head, chest etc. The ball is served over the net to the opposition. The ball must bounce once before it is kicked over the net. Like in tennis, the ball must be served over the net, directly into the service area. The ball must bounce in the service area before it can be played by the opposition. The player who receives the serve may use one or two touches to return the ball to the opponent's side of the net, but the ball may not touch the ground between touches. After the serve is returned, either player may play the ball back over the net, either without letting it touch the court or after one bounce. Each player serves for five consecutive points. Points are only scored by the server. A point is scored when the receiving player serves unable to legally return the ball into the serving players court. The game of FootTennis has been used for years to improve the players touch on the ball. The rules of the game may be customized by the coach to fit the players. More or fewer touches or bounces may be allowed to make the game easier or harder. When teams of two or more players compete, the rules are similar to volleyball. Each player has only one consecutive touch, but may play it to a teammate. Each team has to return the ball in three touches or less. More information on the official game of FootTennis may be obtained by writing: Sorin Balaianu at the International FootTennis Federation, 12625 High Bluff Drive, Suite 305, San Diego, CA 92130.

Soccer Golf - Soccer golf is similar to the games of golf and disk golf. This game can be played at any park or field. Each player tries to hit a pre-determined target with as few kicks as possible. The target can be a tree, trashcan, lightpost, bench, small goal, etc. When I play, I usually try to hit a cat or postal worker. Each player has a ball and all players shoot one at a time. The player with the lowest score on the previous "hole" shoots first. The game can be any length, usually 18 holes. Be creative with the holes. Try "around the lightpole, over the top of the bench, under the drinking fountain and hit the tree." The player who wins the hole can determine the next holes' course. Soccer golf can be played alone.

Wall Ball - Wall ball is played on a three or four wall racquetball court. The game can also be played against a single wall. One player serves the ball by kicking it against the wall. The ball should return from the wall over the service line. The opponent must then play the ball back against the wall using any legal soccer touch (not hands). Once the ball is played, the ball must hit the front wall without bouncing. Each player is allowed one bounce and a maximum of two touches. Points are only scored by the server. The server will continue to serve as long as the server continues to win points. If the server cannot return the ball to the front wall, the other player wins the serve. Games are played to 15 or 21 points. Wall ball can be practiced alone.

I urge you to adjust any of these games to fit your own personal needs...or create some games of your own. Good luck. Ciao for now.


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