Exercises › Play & competition

Tail tag with a ball (warm-up)

• 8 min
• 6–24 players
• 5v5
• 7v7
• Technique & Skills
• Football fitness

Everyone has a ball and a tail (a bib or band) tucked into the back of their shorts. Everyone dribbles inside a square (about 20 x 20 m) and tries to pull other players’ tails while keeping their own ball and tail. If you lose the ball outside the square or your tail is taken you are out for a moment and do a short task (for example 10 touches) before coming back in. Play 3 rounds of 90 seconds. A game that raises the pulse and trains ball handling, awareness and feints.

What the coach should look for

• Look up: see where the tails and the spaces are.
• Shield the ball with your body while you chase.
• Change pace and direction.
• Keep it fun: everyone gets back in.

PåPlan is a free planning tool for youth football coaches. Open the app