Soccer tennis

1. Set up a few soccer tennis courts before practice so that the players that come early are not sitting around waiting. Players are naturally drawn to the courts as they challenge a friend. You may even notice that players will start arriving early to practice just to play soccer tennis. Also a great way to warm up!
    
2. Set up a few soccer tennis courts and have a small tournament. Be sure to have the games go quickly (that is why we recommend having a point awarded on each service) so that no one is waiting around. Click here for tournament format sheets.
    
3. Play “around-the-world” soccer tennis. This game is similar to the ping pong version of “around-the-world”. Divide your players into 2 equal groups, one on each side of the court. Player #1 starts play by serving to Player #2 on the opposing side. Player #1 must then run to the other side and go to the back of the line. Player #2 returns the ball to Player #3 (Player #3 started in line behind Player #1). Player #2 must also run to the opposing side and go to the back of the line. Play continues until one player commits a fault. That player is eliminated from the game. A new rally begins and players are eliminated until there is one champion. For additional challenges, set up hurdles or other obstacles which players must navigate through when running to the opposing side.
    
4. Do you want players to work on their “weak” foot? Play a game of soccer tennis in which the players must only use their weak foot.
    
5. Do you want players to practice juggling? Play a game of soccer tennis and require players to juggle a certain number of times before returning the ball back over the bar.
    
6. For young players, have the players see how many one-touch passes they can connect while keeping the ball under the bar. This will emphasize the importance of passing the ball on the ground to your teammate.
    
7. For highly-skilled players, raise the crossbar to the greatest height as this will provide significant skill development. The higher the crossbar, the more challenging the game!

Small-sided goals

1. All coaches know the benefit of small-sided games such as 3 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 4. Now you can take these portable goals to all your practices.

Hurdles

1. Set up an obstacle course that requires players to go under and over a number of poles.
    
2. Create relay races that include various obstacles that players must navigate as quickly as possible.

Some coaches set-up three stations in which players rotate - (1) soccer tennis tournament, (2) small-sided game, and (3) conditioning using hurdles. This type of practice teaches technical skills, game awareness and conditioning - three of the most important aspects in developing the complete soccer player. Most importantly, players are having FUN while getting lots of touches on the ball.