About the Tot Shots program
The aim of the Tot Shots Soccer Program is to promote the development of grassroots soccer among young children. The program focuses on several key objectives:
- Introduce basic skills: The program aims to teach children the fundamental skills necessary for soccer, such as dribbling, ball control, shooting, passing, and goalie skills. By providing a structured environment, children can learn and practice these skills in a fun and engaging way.
- Foster teamwork: The program emphasizes the importance of teamwork, teaching children how to work together with their peers towards a common goal. Through small-sided games and activities, children learn to communicate, cooperate, and support each other on the field.
- Promote sportsmanship: The Tot Shots Soccer Program places a strong emphasis on sportsmanship. Children are taught to play fair, respect their opponents, follow the rules of the game, and display good sportsmanship at all times. Referees provide guidance and ensure that the games are played in a fair and respectful manner.
- Prepare for future participation: The program aims to prepare children for further involvement in youth house league or competitive soccer programs. By developing their skills, understanding of the game, and love for soccer, the program helps lay the foundation for their continued participation and growth in the sport.
- Inspire enthusiasm and growth: The Tot Shots Soccer Program strives to ignite children's enthusiasm for soccer and inspire their personal growth. By creating a positive and enjoyable environment, the program aims to spark a lifelong passion for the sport and encourage children to continue their soccer journey.
Overall, the aim of the Tot Shots Soccer Program is to provide young children with a solid introduction to soccer, instilling in them the basic skills, values, and enthusiasm necessary for their ongoing development in the sport.
THe 4-Corner warm-up
This will be the start of Each session every week
The Four Corner warm-up for soccer tots is a fun and engaging activity that helps to warm up the players before a soccer session. Here's how you can organize the warm-up:
- Gather the players in the center of the field with the referee or coach acting as the leader.
- Explain to the players that they need to follow the leader's movements exactly. They should mimic whatever the leader does, whether it's running, hopping, shuffling, or any other movement.
- The leader (referee or coach) will start by choosing a corner to move towards. They can decide on the direction, whether it's going straight across or diagonally.
- As the leader moves towards the chosen corner, all the players should imitate their movements.
- Once the leader reaches the corner, they will perform a warm-up exercise such as jumping jacks, squats, toe touches, or any other appropriate exercise.
- The players should join in and perform the same exercise as the leader.
- After completing the warm-up exercise in the corner, the leader will choose the next corner to move towards.
- The players will continue to follow the leader's movements as they move from one corner to another, imitating the exercises performed in each corner.
- The leader can vary the movements and exercises to keep the activity engaging and fun for the players.
- Make sure that the players reach all four corners of the field before returning to the center for stretching.
- When everyone is back at centre, three different stretches will be performed each week.
Remember to emphasize the importance of proper warm-up and stretching to prevent injuries and prepare the players for the soccer session. Enjoy the warm-up activity with the soccer tots!
Who is the Ref & what does the whistle mean?
This will follow the 4 corner warm-up each week
The referee serves as the leader and guide for the soccer tots. The referee's role is to provide instructions, maintain order, and ensure the safety of the participants.
The whistle used by the referee serves as a signal to communicate specific actions or commands to the players. Here's how the whistle can be used in the activity you described:
- Walking: When the whistle blows, it indicates that the players should freeze and look up at the referee. This helps to teach the players to pay attention and follow instructions.
- Running: When the whistle blows, it signals the players to start running. This provides a cue for the players to begin moving and engaging in the activity.
- Running and Screaming: Similar to the previous step, the whistle can be used to initiate the running and screaming part of the activity. When the whistle blows, the players know that it's time to run around and have fun.
- Mimicking the Referee: As the activity progresses, the whistle can be used to introduce new elements. When the whistle blows, the players stop and imitate the actions or movements of the referee. For example, if the referee puts their hands on their head, the players do the same. This helps to develop coordination and observation skills.
- Introducing the Ball: As you introduce the ball into the activity, the whistle can be used to signify specific actions related to dribbling. When the whistle blows, the players stop, put one foot on the ball, and look at the referee for further instructions. This helps to teach ball control and listening skills.
Overall, the referee and their whistle play a crucial role in directing the activity, providing cues for the players, and maintaining order during the sessions. It's important for the referee to maintain a positive and engaging atmosphere during the activity, ensuring that the tots have fun while also following instructions and learning basic soccer skills.
Tot shots drill of the week
Week 1
Week 1
Week 1
- Set up four or five pylons in a row in front of a net.
- Players line up and run as fast as they can zig zagging through the pylons
- Have a stationary ball for them to kick in the net at the end.
- REPEAT
Week 2
Week 1
Week 1
- Set up four or five pylons in a row in front of the net
- Players will line up and one at a time zig zag through the pylons
- This time a coach will pass a moving ball in their path
- REPEAT
week 3
Week 1
week 3
- Line up a row of pylon leaving space of about two to three feet between each pylon.
- Line the players up in partners with one on one side of the pylon line and the other on the opposite side
- Player pass the ball between the pylons stopping it with their foot and passing back.
wEEK 4
wEEK 4
week 3
- Set up a maze of pylons.
- Player dibble through without touching the pylons
Focus on small touches and control
wEEK 5
wEEK 4
wEEK 5
- Set up the pylon maze and add cone pylons.
- The object is for players to dribble through the maze without hitting the disc pylons and shooting to knock over the cone pylons
wEEK 6
wEEK 4
wEEK 5
- Set up 5 or 6 pylons in a line in front of the net
- Players will dibble the ball using first the insides of both feet - pushing the ball from side to side around the pylons
- Player will then use the outside of the foot to push the ball around the pylons
WEEK 7
- Players form a line and one at a time they pass the ball to the coach (GIVE)
- Then they run as fast at they can past the pylon (GO)
- The coach will then pass it back to the player on the other side of the pylon and they will shoot and score!
WEEK 8
COPS AND ROBBERS
"Cops and Robbers Soccer" is a fun and active variation of soccer that combines elements of tag and shooting practice. Here's a brief description of how to play:
Mark out a square area using four cones or markers, large enough for the players to move around comfortably but small enough for the action to be engaging.
The referee takes on the role of the "robber." The robber's job is to move around the area avoiding being hit by soccer balls.
The players are the "cops." Their objective is to dribble and shoot their soccer balls at the robber to "catch" them.
WEEK 9
WEEK 9
SHARK AND MINNOWS
"Sharks and Minnows Soccer" is an exciting and fast-paced game that combines soccer skills with evasion tactics. Here's a brief description of how to play:
Mark out a square area using cones or markers. The size of the area should be appropriate for the number of players, allowing for free movement but keeping the action close and engaging.
The referee takes on the role of the "shark." The shark's objective is to kick the soccer balls of the minnows out of the playing area.
The rest of the players are the "minnows." Their goal is to dribble their soccer balls around the marked area while avoiding the shark's attempts to kick their ball out.
Once a minnow has their ball kicked out, they become a shark, working together to kick the remaining minnows' balls out.