World Cup

         A wild & wooly drill that is sure to capture the hearts of your players is called "World Cup" and its not for the faint of heart. One or two keepers in nets, all others pair as teams (country of their choice). They all must stand outside of a 12yd boundary (lined with low cones) parallel with goal line. Coaches standing behind the net or end line continuously throw balls out towards these pairs (teams) using about 6-8 balls to start.

         The object is for the teams to retrieve a ball and shoot quickly into the net from behind the boundary line. As soon a team scores (it can be done by either of the two teammates), they sprint off to the end line. The last team left without scoring a goal gets eliminated from the competition (like the World Cup!). The next round starts again with one less team, et. al., until there are only two teams left competing.
 
       Teams are not only trying to score but are also allowed to defend their opposing teams trying to score. The pace is wild as "live" balls are continuously served to the teams (teams that are knocked out chase stray shots behind the nets and get them back to the coaches ASAP). Use a fewer number of balls as the number of teams dwindle.

      GOALIES beware, shots are coming from all angles. Sometime we, the coaches, are goalies and we use the parents as servers. Boy, you've never seen such motivation in kids that want to nail one off their laces at their unprotected coach!

Variation:
       At advanced stages, teams have to answer geographical or historic questions about their countries before they can advance.  Thanks to: Stephen Balicki, Northampton Soccer Club

 

NOTE: This drill was originally a part of the SoccerClub!com website.  Unfortunately that website no longer exists and I am trying to contact the original webmasters for permission to post their old drills here.

Created: 12/20/99
Last Updated: 03/26/07

Since February 24, 1999
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  Web Administrator    Ken Gamble