Football Technique | Catch the Robbers

Suitable for players aged 7-8 years

SETUP

  1. Create an area up to 30m x 20m. Modify the size depending on the number of players
  2. Within the area use cones to make two 3m x 3m areas (‘police station’ and ‘prison’) at either end
  3. Split the players into 2 teams – ‘robbers’ have a ball each, ‘cops’ do not

HOW TO PLAY

  1. One group of players become ‘robbers’ and dribble their ball within the area
  2. The second group are the ‘cops’ and start the game inside the ‘police station’
  3. At the start of the game 1 ‘cop’ leaves the ‘station’ to tackle 2 ‘robbers’ who must go to ‘prison’. The ‘cop’ then returns and sends out another ‘cop’ to catch 2 more ‘robbers’. To tackle a ‘robber’ the ‘cop’ must kick their ball out of the area
  4. ‘Robbers’ have 2 lives, meaning they don’t remain in ‘prison’ until they have been tagged twice
  5. When all the ‘robbers’ are in ‘prison’ the teams swap roles. The fastest team to catch all the ‘robbers’ wins

PROGRESSION

INTERMEDIATE:

  • Specify the use of the non-dominant foot only

OUTCOMES

  • Agility while changing direction at speed
  • Dribbling and changing direction with close ball control
  • Keeping head up for awareness of space and other players while dribbling
  • Players ability to use their body to protect the ball while under pressure