Teaching Football Skills Understanding the Game The best way to teach football is to play the game. This gives players an understanding of the concepts. From here, you can break up play into specific drills. To enhance players’ skills when running to warm up, use a ball at their feet. Always encourage players, and pick out what they are doing right, more than what they are doing wrong. Try and adapt training to be fun and interesting. Most importantly, include progression in the drills so that their ability is challenged. Football Concepts and Strategies Teammates Activity: Two vs. Two 1. Designate a 20-yard-by-10-yard field with 4-yard-by-2-yard goals at each end. 2. Form four teams of two. Two teams stand behind each goal. 3. Coach stands at the halfway line with several soccer balls. 4. Teams come out to play two vs. two. 5. If the ball goes out of play, leave it and receive another from the coach. 6. If the defending player gains possession of the ball, the player must pass the ball to a teammate before trying to score. 7. For lower ability players, allow each team to dribble and pass from one goal to the other without any opposition. 8. Introduce opponents later. Key Questions to Ask Your Players • • • Who is your teammate? Who do you pass to? Do you tackle your teammate? (No) 108 Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004