Five years from now, these kids will be trying out for their high school soccer teams. Our goal is to help them get there prepared and ready to compete for a varsity spot. That won’t be determined by how many wins or goals they had at age nine, but by the muscle memory and habits built from doing skills over and over since they were little.
This winter, Legends has an outline that will bring in more passing and shooting. For now, we’re heavily focused on ball mastery. That doesn’t mean we want players doing a Maradona in our own goal box. Instead, we stick to Skill – Scan – Send. The skills allow us to scan, create space, and move the ball past the defender with control.
To help track progress, we’ve put together an Excel spreadsheet for skills and stats. We’ll also be choosing two captains each week, based on standout performances at Wednesday practice or exceptional play during a game.
Wednesday (Indoor) – Ball Mastery Session 5:00-6:00
⚙️ Ball Mastery (30–60 Seconds Each)
- Moving Toe Taps
- Inside Ball Taps (TikTok, Stationary)
- Ball Shift – 3 Taps Left / 3 Taps Right
- Rolls – Left to Right (Stationary)
- Rolls – 2 Left / 2 Right (Moving)
- Ball Shift (Stationary + Feint) – R & L
- 2 Outside Touches / 2 Inside Touches – R & L
- V Cut – Outside (R & L)
- V Cut – Inside (Puskus, R & L)
- L Drag Behind – Alternate Feet
- 180 Turn Into Space (Cruyff)
- Scissor (R & L)
- Double Scissor
- Matthews (R & L)
- Ball Shift + Touch to Space (La Croqueta)
- Stepover + Touch to Space (Opposite of Scissor)
- Shield + Turn Into Space
- Weak Foot Only
🔄 Skills on Command (Group Work)
Players move around the field and perform skills on command. They must keep doing the move until everyone has completed it.
- Scissor
- Maradona
- Puskus
- Wide V
- Double Scissor
- Roll
- La Croqueta
- L Turn
- Matthews
If time remains, quick 2v2 keep-away (no shooting).
🎯 Focus is on clean technique, balance, and rhythm. Don’t rush control is more important than speed.
⏱ Box Training
Box 1 (Solo Work) – Partner up and compete for high score
- Wide V Cuts → Bounce off wall (alternate feet)
- Puskus
- Scissor
Box 2 (Partner Work)
- Point Battle: Shooter scores 1 point if the ball gets past defender and hits back wall (must hit plywood, not wire).
🏠 Weekly Routine – Moves of the Week
⚙️ Home Assignments: 2-5 Times per week
- 100 Wide V Turns – Alternate sides (50 left / 50 right)
- 50 Scissors – Alternate left and right
- 100 Bounce Juggles – Inside of foot only
