Futsal · Dribbling & 1v1 · Game

Pirates and treasure

Players dribble their treasure around the island while two pirates try to win it and carry it off to their ship.

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Start / 6
Time
10 min
Players
6–16
Age
U5–U9
Area
20 × 20 m
Equipment
8 cones14 futsal balls (size 3, low-bounce)2 bibs

Setup

  1. Mark a 20 × 20 m square with cones: this is the island.
  2. Mark a small square just outside one corner: this is the pirate ship.
  3. Every player has a ball (their treasure), except two pirates in bibs.

How it runs

  1. Players dribble around the island, keeping the ball close.
  2. Pirates try to win a ball and dribble it into the ship.
  3. A player who loses their treasure fetches it from the ship, does 10 sole taps on it, then dribbles back in.
  4. Nobody is out, so everyone keeps getting touches.
  5. Rounds of 60 seconds; change the pirates every round so everyone has a turn.

Coaching points

  • Little touches, ball close to the feet.
  • Head up to spot the pirates.
  • Use the sole to stop and pull the ball away from a pirate.
  • Keep your body between the pirate and the ball.
  • Pirates stay on their feet and win the ball, no kicking it away.

Common mistakes

  • Kicking the ball far away to escape.
  • Looking only at the ball.
  • Pirates diving in instead of staying on their feet.

Say it: “Small touches, head up.”

Make it harder

  • Add a third pirate.
  • Make the island smaller.
  • Weaker foot only.

Make it easier

  • One pirate, who walks.
  • Pirates only touch the ball with a foot to win a point, then give it back.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.