Traffic Light

How to run it

A playful warm-up where everyone has a ball. The children get lots of touches and learn to look up, stop, start and turn with the ball close to their feet.

Set-up

A square of about 16 × 16 m marked with four discs. Every player has a ball and stands spread out in the square. The coach stands at the side and calls the colours.

Instructions

1. 1Everyone is spread out in the square with a ball. The coach explains the colours: green = dribble, yellow = roll the ball slowly with the sole, red = stop with your foot on the ball.
2. 2GREEN! Everyone dribbles around the square with small, quick touches. Look up so you don't bump into anyone.
3. 3Keep going on green and find the empty spaces – turn away when someone comes towards you.
4. 4RED! Stop at once with your sole on the ball. Whoever stops fastest and in control wins the round.
5. 5YELLOW! Roll the ball forward with the sole, slowly and in control.
6. 6GREEN again – full speed now, but the ball still close to your feet.
7. 7TURN! Change direction with the ball: drag it back with the sole or turn with the inside.
8. 8RED! Stop with the sole on the ball. The coach adds new colours or commands for the next round.

Coaching points

• Small touches with both right and left foot – the ball should never be more than a step away.
• Say "look up" often. Players who see the space don't crash and find the free areas.
• Praise the player who stops quickly and in control, not just the fastest runner.
• Keep the breaks short – lots of activity is the goal.

Variations

Equipment

• 4 × Markers