KC Kick

KC Soccer Blog

Category: KC Kick 2026 Spring

  • ⚽ KC Kick Practice Plan – Tuesday, May 12

    ⚽ KC Kick Practice Plan – Tuesday, May 12

    Focus of the Day

    Finishing, possession, and thinking ahead before receiving the ball.

    Mental Note 🧠

    “Where can I make a pass?”

    Before the ball arrives:

    • Scan the field
    • Know your options
    • Think one play ahead

    Great players already know where they want to pass before they receive the ball.

    Encourage lots of shoulder checks and communication throughout practice.

    ⏰ Practice Schedule (5:15-6:45 PM)

    5:15–5:20 Starting Activity

    Ball Mastery + Juggling

    Focus move:

    Matthews

    Players work on:

    • Slow technique first
    • Explosive exit touch
    • Both feet

    Then transition into juggling:

    • Bounce juggling
    • Feet only
    • Partner juggling challenges
    • Weak foot touches

    Encourage players to keep eyes up often during touches.

    🔥 Warm Up Game

    Keep Away Rounds

    Three quick rounds of possession games.

    ⚽ Finishing Activity #1

    Cross & Finish

    Large goal setup with no defenders.

    Players work on:

    • Timing runs
    • Attacking the ball
    • One touch finishes
    • First time shots

    Rotate crossing sides often.

    Coaching points:

    • Arrive under control
    • Attack space aggressively
    • Keep shots low and balanced

    💪 Finishing Activity #2

    50/50 Ball Battle to Goal

    Coach plays a loose ball between attacker and defender.

    Attacker objective:

    • Meet defender strong
    • Use arm legally for separation
    • Get into space
    • Finish quickly

    Coaching points:

    • Strong first contact
    • Explode after winning ball
    • Protect the ball
    • Quick shot mentality

    ⚔️ Finishing Activity #3

    2v1 To Goal

    Two attackers vs one defender.

    This will also be the pregame activity.

    Focus:

    • Quick decisions
    • Passing before pressure arrives
    • Creating angles
    • Finishing under pressure

    Encourage attackers to recognize:

    “Where is my next pass?”

    🧱 Small Goal Tournament

    3v3 Tournament

    Small goals setup.

    Rule:

    5 passes = 1 goal

    Players must:

    • Move constantly
    • Support teammates
    • Keep possession under pressure

    Encourage communication and scanning before receiving.

    🔄 Possession Battle

    3v3 Keep Away Game

    No goals. Pure possession battle.

    Focus:

    • Patience
    • Passing angles
    • Body positioning
    • Movement off the ball

    Challenge players to keep long passing sequences.

    🏁 Final Scrimmage

    Scrimmage – No Goalies

    Normal scrimmage without goalkeepers.

    Encourage:

    • Fast ball movement
    • Quick finishes
    • Constant movement
    • Early decision making

    Coaching reminders:

    • Scan before receiving
    • Move after every pass
    • Think ahead

    🧊 Team Huddle

    Ask:

    • Did you know your next pass before getting the ball?
    • Who did a good job scanning today?
    • How did moving after passing help your team?

    Finish with:

    “The game gets easier when you think before the ball arrives.”

  • ⚽ KC Kicks Practice Preview – April 28

    ⚽ KC Kicks Practice Preview – April 28

    Theme: Finishing & Resetting Quickly

    Tonight we’re focusing on one of the most important parts of the game, finishing.

    Not just how to score, but how to handle the moments when we don’t.

    🧠 Practice Message: Reset Quickly

    Every player misses shots. That’s part of the game.

    What matters is what happens next.

    Tonight we’ll introduce a simple reset:

    • Double tap your legs
    • Two quick inhales
    • One long exhale
    • Then picture the next shot going in

    We want players ready for the next opportunity, not stuck on the last one.

    ⚽ What We’ll Be Working On

    🔄 Possession (Keep Away)

    Short, high-energy rounds to build:

    • Awareness
    • Movement
    • Quick decisions

    After Possession battle setup 3 min matches 2v2.

    Focus:

    • Quick shots
    • Going after rebounds
    • Confidence in front of goal

    🥅 Finishing Drills (Main Focus)

    Offsides Line Finishing

    • Timing runs
    • Receiving and shooting in stride

    Setup 4 lines outside of goal box. Inside players make pass to outside players without being offsides. Once player receives pass they can shoot on goal.

    2v1 Finishing

    • Making quick decisions
    • Knowing when to pass vs shoot

    Players will form into 3 lines in a triangle outside the goal box. Players will make runs and passes to get an open shot.

    3v2 Finishing

    • Using the advantage
    • Finishing under pressure

    ⚽ Scrimmage

    We’ll finish with a game where the focus is simple:

    • Shoot more
    • Reset fast
    • Stay involved
  • KC Kicks Practice Plan – Tuesday April 21

    KC Kicks Practice Plan – Tuesday April 21

    Swarner Park
    5:15 PM – 6:45 PM

    This session will keep things moving. We’ll mix skill work with competitive moments and build toward game situations.

    Arrival Activity – Crossing & Finishing (First 5 minutes)

    As players arrive, we’ll jump right into action.

    • Set up crosses
    • Players finish on goal

    Focus:

    • Timing runs
    • Clean contact
    • Getting shots off quickly

    Skill Work (5 minutes)

    We’ll demonstrate and rep a few moves:

    • Scissor (main focus)
    • Maradona
    • 180 turn / pullback
    • Matthews

    Keep it quick, lots of touches.

    Partner Juggling (5–7 minutes)

    Players partner up.

    • Count passes between partners, not total juggles

    Focus:

    • Control
    • Communication
    • Soft touches

    1v1 Fields (10 minutes)

    Two fields with mini goals, grouped by skill level.

    Let them play.

    Focus:

    • Confidence on the ball
    • Attacking with purpose
    • Competing defensively

    Gate Reaction Drill – Rock Paper Scissors (10–12 minutes)

    Setup:

    • Two players start at a gate
    • Play rock-paper-scissors
    • Winner attacks

    Action:

    • Coach serves ball from the sideline
    • First player through the gate receives and attacks

    Focus:

    • Quick reactions
    • First touch forward
    • Competing to win the moment

    3v3 + Activity Rotation (15–20 minutes)

    Setup:

    • One small field for 3v3
    • Extra players rotate in

    Off-field group:

    • Rondo or
    • Post touch + go on big field

    Focus:

    • Movement off the ball
    • Quick passing
    • Staying engaged even off the main field

    Large Field 2 small goals 1 big goal

    2 Strikers 2 wingers shooting drill


    Teams take turns passing it to the winger, the winger is stationary and crosses it to the striker and the striker finishes.


    3v2 Counter Attack Drill

    • Starts 1v2
    • Transitions to 2v1
    • Finishes with 3v2

    Focus:

    • Recognizing advantage
    • Fast decision-making
    • Finishing under pressure

    Final Scrimmage (15–20 minutes) ⚽

    Let them play.

    Encourage:

    • Using moves from earlier
    • Playing fast
    • Confidence going forward

    Focus for the Day

    • Be aggressive in 1v1 moments
    • React quickly
    • Use your skills to create space
    • Stay engaged the entire session
  • KC Kicks Practice Plan

    KC Kicks Practice Plan

    • Date: Tuesday, March 10
    • Time: 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM
    • Location: Swarner Park Field 3
    • Bring:
      • Shin guards
      • Water bottle
      • Soccer ball size 4

    We will begin introducing our pre-game warmup routine, followed by competitive small-sided games and finishing with a scrimmage. ⚽

    Part 1 — Game Warm-Up Routine (30-40 Minutes)

    The first 30-40 min of practice follows the same routine we’ll use before games. The goal is to build a rhythm the players recognize so when game day arrives, nothing feels new.

    1. Freestyle Dribbling (5 minutes)

    Players spread out with a ball.

    Focus points:

    • Change speed frequently
    • Change direction
    • Use favorite moves
    • Keep the ball close when in traffic

    This is a chance for players to get comfortable on the ball and wake up their feet.

    2. Juggling (5 minutes)

    Players juggle individually or with a partner.

    Goals:

    • Improve touch
    • Develop coordination
    • Build confidence with the ball

    Players should challenge themselves but keep the ball under control.

    3. Dynamic Passing (5 minutes-10 minutes)

    Players form small passing groups.

    Rules:

    • Two or three balls moving at the same time
    • Constant movement
    • One or two touch when possible

    The focus here is awareness and quick decisions.

    4. Multidirectional Possession Battle (15 minutes)

    Grid: 25×25
    Teams: Two teams
    Target Players: One outside player for each team

    How it works:

    • Teams keep possession inside the grid
    • Each team has a target player outside the grid
    • Players can score a point by completing a pass to their target
    • After a successful pass, the player who passed switches places with the target

    Coaching focus:

    • Quick support
    • Playing under pressure
    • Finding passing lanes

    5. Final Third Attack Game (15 minutes)

    Grid: 30×30
    Setup: One goal on one end
    Teams: 4v4 plus 4 neutrals

    Rules:

    • Teams must connect a pass to a neutral player before attacking the goal
    • Only one team attacks at a time
    • If a team gets scored on, they rotate and become neutrals

    Coaching focus:

    • Creating space
    • Off-ball movement
    • Quick attacking decisions

    Part 2 — Competitive Game Play

    We will setup a tournament with 2-4 players per team depending on numbers

    3v3 Small-Goal Matches

    There are 4 goals setup to make 2 fields across the width of the field.

    Format

    • 3v3
    • No goalkeepers

    Teams will rotate for better matchups

    Coaching emphasis:

    • Dribble into space when it opens
    • Keep the head up and scan
    • Make quick passes when defenders collapse
    • Immediate pressure after losing the ball

    Part 3 — Scrimmage (20 Minutes)

    We finish with a full scrimmage. For the scrimmage we will use the entire field and either drag over a large goal or use small goal/s.

    This is the time for players to apply everything from practice:

    • Dribbling into open space
    • Making long passes when available
    • Supporting teammates off the ball
    • Winning the ball back quickly

  • ⚽ KC Kick Warmup Plan

    A 30-Minute Structure

    🔵 First 15 Minutes – Technical Foundation

    Three 5-minute blocks. No wasted time. No long lines.

    1️⃣ Freestyle Dribbling (5 Minutes)

    Setup:
    20×20 grid (adjust based on numbers). Every player has a ball.

    Focus:

    • Change speed
    • Change direction
    • Use favorite moves
    • Explode into space after the move

    Coaching reminders:

    • Slow to fast
    • Sell the move
    • Push into space
    • Head up between touches

    Last 2 minutes:

    • Weak foot only
    • Perform a move before accelerating
    • Beat someone with speed

    This is about confidence and rhythm.

    2️⃣ Juggling (5 Minutes)

    This block sharpens touch and focus.

    Structure:

    • Players can start with bounce juggles
    • Juggle 2 times then catch the ball
    • Try for a new record each practice

    Encourage:

    • Clean contact
    • Weak foot touches
    • Calm body control

    3️⃣ Dynamic Passing (2–3 Balls) – 5 Minutes

    Same grid. Start with 2 balls. Add a third if it’s clean.

    Rules:

    • Move after every pass
    • No standing next to the player you passed to
    • One-touch when possible

    Coaching focus:

    • Scan before receiving
    • Open body shape
    • Firm passes
    • Communication

    It should feel fast, slightly chaotic, and controlled.

    🔴 Final 15 Minutes – Competitive Game Play

    Choose one based on the day.

    Option 1: Multi-Directional Possession Battle (25×25)

    Setup:

    • 25×25 grid
    • 2 teams inside
    • Each team has 1 target player outside

    Teams score by connecting a pass to their target.
    After the pass, the player switches with the target.

    Develops:

    • Angles of support
    • Playing away from pressure
    • Quick transitions
    • Off-ball movement

    This is great for building composure and awareness.

    Option 2: 4v4+4 in the Final Third (30×30)

    Setup:

    • 30×30 grid
    • Goal on one end
    • 4v4 inside
    • 4 neutrals around perimeter

    To attack, a team must first connect with a neutral.

    If your team gets scored on, you rotate out and become neutrals.

    Emphasis:

    • Combination play
    • Quick forward progression
    • Recovery runs
    • Transition mentality

    This one raises intensity quickly.

  • KC Kick Season Update:

    KC Kick Season Update:

    Everything is officially in place. The roster is finalized. The field is secured. The division is set.

    Now we have dates.

    📅 Key Dates

    Practices begin: Tuesday, March 10
    Games begin: Saturday, March 21

    That gives us a short runway to prepare. We’ll use every session wisely.

    Practice Location & Time

    We’ll train Tuesdays at Field 3 at Swarner Park (Swarner Park).

    Field 3 is the one closest to the restrooms. In previous seasons we practiced on the northeast field, so be sure to head to the correct location.

    Time:
    5:00–6:30 PM (or until dark)
    It will likely get dark between 6:15–6:30, and we’ll adjust as needed.

    If we can get enough interest for an earlier session, we may explore that option as well.

    3rd Grade Blue Division

    This year’s division includes:

    This is the upper division for 3rd grade.

    We also have three new players joining the team, giving us more depth than last year. That depth matters over the course of a season.

    What Happens Between Now and March 21

    Game day performance will reflect what happens at home.

    Five to ten minutes every night:

    • Toe Taps
    • Tik Toks
    • Bounce Juggles (driveway or hard surface)

    We’re not looking for perfection. We’re building comfort and confidence on the ball.

    March 10, we begin training.
    March 21, we compete.

    Let’s show up ready. ⚽

  • KC Kick Season Update: Built the Team

    KC Kick Season Update: Built the Team

    We’re officially set. The roster is locked in, and I’m excited about this team. There’s a great mix of players, some of the kids have been playing together for several years now. It’s fun to watch these kids grow. Thank you to all the parents for the opportunity.

    The Secret Isn’t Complicated — It’s Touches

    To start off the season I’m encouraging everyone to get in touches at home at least 3 days per week, starting now.

    Five to ten minutes. That’s it. (Aiden does 25 min 3 times per week.)

    What we’re really trying to build is comfort. When the ball feels natural at your feet, the game slows down. Confidence grows. Decisions get cleaner.

    Here’s what I want every player doing each night. I have also linked to the skills page for further detail.

    1. Toe Taps

    Simple. Steady rhythm. Soft touches. Stay light on your feet. 100 toe taps are a good start. For advanced players work on rolling toe taps.

    2. Tik Toks

    Inside touches back and forth. Quick feet. Keep the ball under control. Aim to do 100 per session. For advanced players try to keep you head up.

    3. Bounce Juggles

    Use a driveway or hard surface. Let it bounce between touches and try to keep the ball from going off to the side.

    Track your numbers. Try to beat your personal best. The idea is for each player to be able to complete 30 bounce juggles, once they have achieved this, they are ready for the next step. Juggling 2 or 3 times, then catching the ball.

    Practice Update

    We’re planning to hold Tuesday practices at Swarner Park. We are expecting practice to open up around the first of March. I’lll update when everything is final.

    *Field availability should be confirmed in the next few days.

    The current plan is to get a 90 min practice 1 day per week.

    • 5:00–6:30 PM
    • Or until dark (sunset will likely fall between 6:15–6:30)

    If there’s enough interest we may try to sneak in a practice or two at Quivira Glen park during the end of February.