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Merrin School Ngā Whetū Kohara

by Tania Gallagher

Football Fun in Kōpura

Tania Gallagher - August 13, 2023

Our budding young footballers have been excited to learn some new skills through Sport Canterbury.

Sport has great potential to help young people develop important values that will help them be successful, well-rounded, and contributing members of society. Our students have been engaged during the sessions and are looking forward to the next lesson.

The program designed for these young players is a blend of structured learning and playful activities, ensuring that they not only learn the rules and techniques of the game.

Coaches emphasize the importance of teamwork and cooperation, showing them how success in football often hinges on understanding and supporting their teammates. Another aspect of this program is the focus on making learning enjoyable. Practices are fun games that enhance skills without feeling like traditional drills. Imagine a game of "Dribble Dodgeball," where players practice dribbling while trying to avoid being tagged by opponents' soccer balls.

Here are some fundamental football skills that we learnt that you could try at home:

  1. Dribbling: Teach kids to control the ball while running and changing direction. Encourage them to use different parts of their feet to manipulate the ball.

  2. Passing: Start with simple short passes and gradually introduce longer ones. Emphasize proper technique, such as using the inside of the foot, keeping the ankle locked, and following through.

  3. Shooting: Teach kids how to shoot with accuracy and power. Focus on striking the centre of the ball with the laces of the foot while maintaining balance.

  4. Ball Control: Help children learn how to receive and control the ball. Teach them how to cushion the ball's impact using various parts of their body, such as their thighs, chest, and feet.