Week 7 · U4
Stopping & starting
Objectives — what the players will do
- 1Dribble on green light and stop the ball on red light
- 2Start dribbling again fast when the game says go
- 3Keep the ball close enough to stop it in one try
Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives
Traffic Jam
Everyone dribbles anywhere they like while you wander around as a silly traffic cop, honking an imaginary horn. When you honk, everyone stops their ball any way they can, giggles, and goes again. No lines, no waiting — just driving.
Practice — the one taught activity of the night
Red Light, Green Light
Everyone has a ball in a big grid. Green light = dribble, red light = stop the ball with a foot on top, yellow light = slow motion (the funniest one). Play in short bursts and swap the caller — let a child call the lights for a round.
Any stop counts — knees, hands, even sitting on the ball. Celebrate the stop, tidy the technique later.
You sneak forward on red light — the kids have to catch you moving and shout you back to the start.
Play 2 — always finish playing the real game
Green-Light Game
Play a real 4v4 game. Once or twice, call a surprise red light — everyone freezes mid-game with a giggle — then green light and play roars back on. Finish with normal play and loud cheers.
Key coaching points — in your own words
- ·Green light — go, go, go!
- ·Red light — squash the ball flat like a pancake!
- ·Tiny kicks keep your ball close.
- ·Ready… blast off!
Call the lights faster and add yellow (slow motion) so they change speed, not just stop.
Slow everything down and freeze the whole group together so nobody feels caught out.
Game-day focus — watch for this on Saturday
4v4 diamond, everyone attacks and defends together — rotate every child through every spot and keep it silly.
Message to forward to your parents
This week was stopping and starting — red light, green light with the ball. Play it in the hallway or yard and let your child be the traffic cop; they love catching the grown-up moving!
This week's two videos
Every session is Play-Practice-Play: kids play from the moment they arrive, you teach ONE thing in the middle, then they play again. Watch the prep video the night before — the activity video is that middle PRACTICE part.
6 Soccer Skills Kids Love | Soccer Skills from the MOJO App
Watch the night before to understand the idea
A skills refresher to keep Week 4 fun while the get-open habit beds in — players who trust their touch move into space with more confidence. Use as warm-up material on Apply day. Finish the month playing, not drilling.
For U4: Pick the two simplest skills and turn each into copy-the-coach; celebrate any touch that stops or starts the ball.
Watch on YouTube⚽ Soccer Games For Kids ⚽ Fun Soccer Drills - Red Light Green Light!
Your PRACTICE part — the one thing you teach mid-session
A soccer take on Red Light Green Light that doubles as listening practice and change-of-speed fitness. Drop it in as a between-activity reset in Weeks 2–3. Keep rounds short and let winners call the lights to boost buy-in.
For U4: Run it exactly as shown — red light/green light IS stopping and starting; let kids take turns calling the colors.
Watch on YouTube