Finding the Target Player
Two teams keep possession in a big grid, hunting the moment to drop a flighted ball into their target player's box — control it in there for a point, and the passer becomes the target.
Midfielders and defenders learn to get their heads up and look up the field — finding the target player and playing them early.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, alternate jerseys for the two teams, and balls.
- Build: Build a large grid about 40 by 40 yards — sized to your numbers and their age — then have each team build a 10-by-10 box on its attacking end, where the diagram shows.
- Place: Two even teams spread through the big grid, one target player from each team standing inside their box.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Getting heads up quickly to find the target player, playing the target early, and the difference between a purposely placed long ball and kickball.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Both teams play keep-away while looking to play a flighted ball into their target player's box — controlled in there, it's a point, and the passer becomes the new target.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Make two even teams in alternate jerseys and send one target player from each team into its 10-by-10 box on the attacking end.
Coach says
Two teams! Pick your target player — they live in the little box on the end you're attacking.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the scoring — keep possession from the other team, and look up early for the chance to play a flighted ball into your target player. If the target controls it inside the box, that's a point — and the passer swaps in as the new target.
Coach says
Keep the ball, but keep looking long — a ball your target controls in the box is a point. Hit it, and you become the target.
3Play▾
Coach does
Let it run and hold the line between playing early and playing kickball — heads up quickly, the target played early, and every long ball placed on purpose rather than hopeful.
Coach says
Heads up the second you get it — is the target on? Then place it, don't blast it!
Look for: The placed pass — a long ball aimed at the target on purpose, never an accidental clearance dressed up as one.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
The game rotates itself — every ball controlled in the box makes the passer the new target. When they're ready, grow the target's box and put a defender in with them, somewhat passive at first.
Coach says
New wrinkle — a defender in the box now. Same job: find your target early.
If it's not working
If it turns into kickball, freeze it and ask — was that ball placed, or just hit? Let a player say the difference out loud, then play on.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Harder: Give the target a larger box and add a defender in with them — somewhat passive at first.