1v1: when two players are against each other trying to steal the ball (2v2 is when two teams of 2 go against each other, etc.)

Captain’s Corner: Weekly goals for Captains that connect TTL curriculum and goals.

Captain’s Corner Sheet: Worksheets given to Captains at the beginning of practice to plan out responsibilities and goals.

Coaching Points: Use these helpful hints to help when side coaching during a game.

Corner Kick: when the defending team kicks the ball out of play behind their own end line, gameplay stops, and one player of the opposing team can kick the ball in from the closest corner to the goal. 

Dancing on the Ball: (toe taps) alternate feet to tap the top of the ball.

Freeze Position: Player puts one foot on top of the ball and stands still.

Game realistic: a game or activity that is more similar to a soccer game with pressure coming from not just one object/defender. These games can be used during Day 3 Scrimmage days.

Gate: Two cones parallel to each other that create an opening to dribble through.

Goal Kick: when opposition kicks the ball out of play behind the end line, gameplay stops, the teams move behind the safety line. Goalkeeper/defender places the ball in front of the goal to kick to one of their teammates, play resumes.

Kick-Off: to start the game 1 player from each team does a coin toss and the player’s team that wins starts with the ball with both teams on their side of the half line.

Opposed: adding in a defender/object to increase the difficulty of the new skill.

Pinny/Pinnies: Short for Pinafore, this refers to the mesh scrimmage vest.

Safety line: Two cones about 10 feet distance from the Goal that mark the area where students should go behind before a goal kick.

SEL: Social and emotional learning. The framework we use is based on CAESL’s SEL wheel. 

Sideline Throw-In: when a player from either team kicks the ball out of play across a sideline, gameplay stops and one player from the opposite team throws in the ball from the line to resume play. Both feet must stay on the ground when the ball is thrown in (note: players can kick the ball back in if playing indoors or in a tight/restricted space). 

Sweet Spot Taps: move the ball with the inside of the foot, alternating feet and keeping the ball in between.

Take the Lead (TTL): Urban Initiatives leadership program for middle school students. These students (captains) are 5-8th graders who attend/assist with soccer practices as well as monthly leadership and skill-building huddles with UI staff. Many of them played on the OST team in 2-4th grade. 

Unopposed: no defenders/objects blocking in the player’s way, a great opportunity to practice new skills.

Variations: Alternative versions of a game to increase/decrease difficulty..