Over the last 3 weeks, ECE has been working on kicking skills. We started with introducing dribbling throughout the space with the indoor foam balls, then progressed to trapping on a spot. The focus was for students to practice control of the ball when moving throughout an area. The activity the first week was called "Bridges". Half the class made bridges with their feet, while the other half practiced dribbling their ball through the bridges. Each student had to keep track of how many bridges their ball passed through while dribbling.
In Week 9, students practiced kicking to a target and for distance. After spending time using the cues of "lightly tapping" the ball for control, ECE was more than ready to start using more force to kick their soccer balls. We did partner exercises of having students roll the ball to their partner, trapping the ball and then kicking it back. After they got some practice in, we moved further away for more distance.
Week 10, students worked in Stations to improve their overall footwork.
- Station 1: Hopscotch- Each student practices their agility by playing hopscotch on different spots.
- Station 2: Kicking to a Target- Each student will get a ball and practice kicking soccer goals from a certain area on the floor.
- Station 3: Pathways-Students demonstrate how to control their soccer ball along a pathway.
- Station 4: Soccer Golf- Students play golf by trying to kick their ball into a hoop.
- Station 5: Soccer Bowling- At this station, students practice kicking to knock down as many bowling pins as possible.
K-GRADE 2
We have finally begun our Kicking Unit. After discussing various sports or activities that involved kicking, we chose to focus on Soccer. The first skill we practiced was dribbling the ball throughout an area, without losing control. We played a game of dribble tag for students to practice dribbling at different speeds. If you were tagged, you could re-enter the game by taking your ball to the end-line and performing 5 squats holding their soccer ball. Trapping the ball and passing were the next skills introduced. Students were able to work with a partner to practice stopping the ball and passing on the move. Students were able to play a full round of "Soccer Golf" outside, consisting of 8 holes. Students tried to kick their ball into a hoop from various distances around the field, trying to have as few kicks as possible. Students also were able to practice all these skills at stations.
Grades 3-5 began their unit on kicking. Each student worked individually on dribbling throughout general space. Obstacles were added for students to practice ball control and changing directions on the move. Passing is the 2nd skill students worked on and gradually began passing to a partner on the move. We played a tag game to work on control and protecting the ball from a defender.
This past week, students were able to play small-sided soccer games of 4 on 4. The focus was for each team to work on all the skills used over the past 3 weeks as well as demonstrating sportsmanship and teamwork to all players.