Wave Youth Movement Games

Objective

• -Develop coordination and agility through games
• -Build fitness without adult conditioning work
• -Keep every player smiling and moving

Setup

1. 1An open square with coloured cones on the corners in a 22 x 22 yards area.
2. 2Form three waves of players behind the start line.
3. 3A ball each and plenty of spare cones.

How to play

1. 1Play tag, follow-the-leader and shadow games inside the square.
2. 2Every game finishes with a dribbling lap of the square.
3. 3Keep rounds short and change the game often.
4. 4Each wave sets off two seconds after the one in front.
5. 5Every wave completes six journeys before the practice ends.

Progressions

• +Reduce the gap between waves
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Increase the gap and slow the tempo
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Back wave starts facing away and turns on the whistle
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Long runs with no ball
• -Adult conditioning drills for young players
• -Waves bunching into one crowd