"You're Outta Here"
Essentially it is a small sided scrimmage that
varies from 1v1 to 4v1. Kids LOVE it! It is fast paced and utilizes dribbling,
passing, shooting skills and teamwork. (I thank Marty at the St. Louis SC
"Busch" soccer camps for showing me this one.)
 Here is the basic game.
Cone off a small rectangular scrimmage area
just a little smaller than the penalty box area. Divide the players evenly into
2 teams of about 4 to 6 players.
Start with a player from each
team in the area, toss the ball in and have them scrimmage 1v1 until the one
player scores or the ball goes out of bounds. Each score is worth one point and
you play to 10 or 15.
Here is the twist. When one player scores not
only do they get one point but they also get a teammate to join them in
the next scrimmage thus making it a 2v1. If they score again that time they get
another point and another teammate to go 3v1 the next time. This
continues until they succeed at a 4v1. Then you start over at 1v1 again.
Change the lone defender each
time the other team scores with a new player.
Yes, the defender is at a progressive
disadvantage as the other team scores because they get an additional player,
but remember all that defending player has to do is kick the ball out of bounds
(clear the ball) and all the players leave the area to start over at 1v1. At
this time the coach might yell, "YOU'RE OUTTA
HERE!".
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It will amaze you how many times the team with 3 or 4
players will waste their numerical advantage by not passing well, or fumbling
the ball out of bounds. They might not talk to each other and sometimes a
"ballhog" may lose it to the lone defender while all the others watch.
Furthermore, it is refreshing to see the outnumbered lone defender "rise" to
the occasion, stop the "odd-man" rush, and clear the ball thus returning the
game to 1v1. The team with numbers will have to learn to pass quickly with 1 or
2 touches or "THEY'RE OUTTA HERE!"
There is lots the coach can impart in a drill
like this especially emphasizing 2 touch passing, teamwork and patience.
If you really want to emphasize the passing
game, make it a requirement that each player touches the ball before they can
shoot and score. They will learn to work it around the area with square passes
and trail passes before they work it in for a shot.
The only real disadvantage to this game is
that your kids will want to play this all the time.
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