Scoreboard Soccer (eBook)

THE CONTENT

CREATIVE GAMES

Small-sided games with a scoreboard, used to embrace fun and creativity.

CREATIVE GAME 1: CONNECT FOUR

SCOREBOARD GAME—CONNECT FOUR

When a player scores a goal, the conceding team collects the ball and immediately continues the game while the goal scorer quickly goes to the scoreboard. Remember to occasionally send players who demonstrate positive play or model behavior to the scoreboard, to promote and praise these attributes.

The scoreboard in this game consists of four blue cones and four red cones, with a supply of balls nearby. The blue cones represent the blue scoreboard, and the red cones represent the red scoreboard. After a player scores or the coach instructs a player to go to the scoreboard due to positive play, they rush over and put a ball on their team’s colored cones. The first set of teams to fill all four of their cones wins. This game involves collaboration between the teams wearing the same-colored bib, and players work hard because they know factors on the other pitch might result in them losing the game. When a team fills all four cones, they win the game. At that point, you may choose to reset the scoreboard and add the fun progression that the goal scorer or praised player can either put a ball on one of their team’s cones or kick one off the other team’s cone.

As always, be sure to let players know that you won’t reward just goal scoring but also positive behaviors. Rewarding such behaviors will motivate players to repeat them. Scoreboard Soccer is designed to help in the holistic development of young people through praising and promoting characteristics such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect.

VARIATIONS

•Frequently varying the following four elements from session to session can help accommodate the number of players you have at your session and can also combat monotony.

•Modify the number of players.

•Vary whether teams play with a goalkeeper.

•Vary the size or number of goals used.

•Vary whether you run one game or multiple small-sided games simultaneously.

The following are other ways you can vary games from session to session:

•Vary the length or width of the pitch to give the players different problems and challenges.

•Introduce more cones to fill if you wish to prolong games.

•Progress by allowing players to add a point to their scoreboard or take one away from the opposition instead.

•Promote player autonomy by choosing captains who can praise players on the opposing team by sending them to the scoreboard.

CREATIVE GAME 2: CROSSBAR CHALLENGE

SCOREBOARD GAME—CROSSBAR CHALLENGE

When a player scores a goal, the conceding team immediately continues the game while the goal scorer quickly goes to the scoreboard.

This game consists of a simple scoreboard that the players always enjoy. Using a ball from the pile, the player lines up a shot at the crossbar from between the two yellow markers. If they hit the crossbar, a goal is added to their team’s score in the game. Play for a set amount of time or to a set number of goals.

As with all scoreboards, the rewarded player should try to get a point via the scoreboard as quickly as possible so they can get back on the pitch to help their teammates, who are currently playing a player short, which increases the opposition’s chance of scoring a goal or demonstrating positive play to be sent to the scoreboard. The playmaker (in figs. 33 and 34, in yello) is optional.

VARIATIONS

•Frequently varying the following four elements from session to session can help accommodate the number of players you have at your session and can also combat monotony.

•Modify the number of players.

•Vary whether teams play with a goalkeeper.

•Vary the size or number of goals used.

•Vary whether you run one game or multiple small-sided games simultaneously.

The following are other ways you can vary games from session to session:

•Vary the length or width of the pitch to give the players different problems and challenges.

•Increase or decrease the distance players need to try to hit the crossbar from.

•Allow players to punt the ball from their hands or utilize a bounce if they’re finding it difficult to reach the crossbar.

CREATIVE GAME 3: SNAKES AND LADDERS

SCOREBOARD GAME—SNAKES AND LADDERS

When a player scores a goal, the conceding team collects the ball and immediately continues the game while the goal scorer quickly goes to the scoreboard. Remember to occasionally send players who demonstrate positive play or model behavior to the scoreboard, to promote and praise these attributes.

I’ve used many classic games and board games as scoreboards, and young players have always responded really well. Snakes and Ladders is one of their favorites, and they always ask for it. I find that they’re desperate to make a good pass, score a goal, or praise teammates so the coach will praise them by allowing them to have a shot on the game board. In this game, four teams play (in figs. 35 and 36, red, blue, white, and black). This involves having four markers on the game board, and players roll the dice when they’re at the scoreboard and move their team’s marker up the board, progressing quicker when they reach a ladder and moving backward when they land on a snake. The game is fun and a good test of the concentration of those on the pitch, who are always shouting over to ask what number their teammate rolled or if they landed on a snake or a ladder. But they need to, of course, concentrate to prevent the other team from scoring and progressing up the board themselves!

As always, be sure to let players know that you won’t reward just goal scoring but also positive behaviors. Rewarding such behaviors will motivate players to repeat them. Scoreboard Soccer is designed to help in the holistic development of young people through praising and promoting characteristics such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect.

VARIATIONS

•Frequently varying the following four elements from session to session can help accommodate the number of players you have at your session and can also combat monotony.

•Modify the number of players.

•Vary whether teams play with a goalkeeper.

•Vary the size or number of goals used.

•Vary whether you run one game or multiple small-sided games simultaneously.

The following are other ways you can vary games from session to session:

•Vary the length or width of the pitch to give the players different problems and challenges.

•Allow players to roll again if they throw the same number on both dice.

•Try other board games as scoreboards, letting the kids pick their favorites.

CREATIVE GAME 4: Xs AND Os

SCOREBOARD GAME—Xs AND Os

When a player scores a goal, the conceding team collects a ball from the side of the pitch and immediately continues the game while the goal scorer quickly goes to the scoreboard.

A game you may know as Xs and Os or tic-tac-toe is the scoreboard in this game. When a player scores a goal or is sent to the scoreboard for positive behavior, the player adds a bib or a cone of their team’s color to the matrix. The first team to get three in a row wins. If the game ends in a stalemate, the next player at the...