Coaching tools › Activities › Attacking and finishing
Free activity · Intramural curriculum, ages 4–8Beat the Levels
Two fields side by side, each split into two grids with a goal at the end. The attacker has to dribble past the Level 1 defender, then the Level 2 boss in the next grid, and score to win the treasure. Defenders cannot leave their grid.
Setup
Two fields side by side, each split into two grids with a goal at the far end. A ball is passed in to the attacker, who has to dribble past the Level 1 defender, then the Level 2 boss in the next grid, and score to win the treasure. Defenders cannot leave their own grid. Rotate defenders with the waiting players every 2 to 3 rounds.
- Dribble past the defender.
- Spot the space and attack it.
Make it easier or harder
- Progression: The passer joins in to make it 2v1 at every level: draw the defender, then pass or go.
- Easier: Defenders may only shuffle sideways along their line.
- Harder: A beaten defender can chase back into the next grid.
Coach’s notes
- If It's Chaos: Nobody clearing Level 2? Make the grids wider so there is room to go around.
Why it works
Second-graders understand levels and bosses better than they understand 1v1 progressions, so the activity borrows the language. Two defenders in sequence means two moves in sequence, and the treasure at the end means the second one matters.
The 2v1 progression, where the passer joins in, is the first time these players draw a defender and pass. Save it for the second week.
Where it sits
This activity is from 2nd Grade · Week 3 · Beat the Levels in the Full Season Intramural Curriculum for Pre-K to 2nd grade. Every session in the book has the same shape: arrival play, Soccer Island, two or three activities and the game, with two coaching points a day, an easier and a harder version of everything, and a fix for when it turns to chaos.
More like this
Ages 11+ · Attacking and finishing2v1 to the LineTwo attackers against one defender in a 15x10 channel, ten seconds to dribble over the end line.
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Ages 11+ · Attacking and finishing3v2 to Two GoalsThree attackers against two defenders on a 20x15 with two mini goals on the far line and twelve seconds to score.
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Ages 11+ · Attacking and finishingFull-Back JoinsTwo wide players and a striker against three defenders and a keeper on a 30x25.
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The Full Season Intramural Curriculum covers Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade: one page per session, nothing to memorize, built so a professional trainer and a parent who volunteered last week run the same quality session. 112 animated videos included.