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What we did well, and what we need to improve on.

We learn something new in every game, or as a friend of mine used to say, "We RE-learn something old." Here we discuss our games and try to recap any lessons taught by the best teacher: experience.

Tricks and Tips

Reaction Warm-Up

This is a good warm-up exercise that warms up the brain as well as the feet.  You soon find out who can think quickly - and also who knows their left from their right!

Set-Up

Make a circle with markers - one for each player.

If you have a large number of players, make two ( or three ) circles.

The size of the circle will depend on the age of your team and how much of a work-out you want to give them  - but even a small circle is good enough if you do the drill at pace.

Procedure

Couldn't be simpler - you just shout out instructions!

" 2 left "

" 3 right, 1 left "

" 2 right, center, 1 left "

( Center means run to the middle of the circle AND BACK )

Variations

The drill can be done with or without a ball.

Specify the type of steps they have to use between each marker - sidesteps or turn and run for example.

Have them sit down after each instruction - then they get to practice getting on their feet quick (or get trampled!).

Points to Watch

Make sure they are on their toes ready to move - no standing flat-footed!
 

General Terms

American football:
a term used by non-Americans to distinguish the popular U.S. sport of football from soccer which they also call football.
 
Defensemen:
the 3 or 4 players on a team whose primary task is to stop the opposition from scoring; also called fullbacks.
 
Forwards:
the 3 or 4 players on a team that play in front of the rest of their team.
 
Goalkeeper:
the player positioned directly in front of the goal who tries to prevent shots from getting into the net behind him; the only player allowed to use his hands and arms, though only within the penalty area.
 
Midfielders:
the 2, 3 or 4 players who link together the offensive and defensive functions of a team; they play behind their forwards.
 
Sweeper:
the defender that plays closest to his own goal behind the rest of the defenders; a team's last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper.
 
Referee:
the chief official; he or she makes all final decisions, acts as timekeeper, calls all fouls and starts and stops play.
 
Yellow card:
a playing card-sized card that a referee holds up to warn a player for dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior; 2 yellow cards in one game earns a player an automatic red card.
 
Red card:
a playing card-sized card that a referee holds up to signal a player's removal from the game; the player's team must play the rest of the game shorthanded; presented for violent behavior or multiple rule infractions (two yellow cards = one red card).