FOOTBALL

Creating and Performing in Creative Arts and Sports

Target age: 12 years — Kenyan schools. Short, clear notes for lessons and practice.

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Learning objectives

• Understand basic football skills: dribbling, passing, shooting and trapping.
• Know simple positions and team roles.
• Follow basic rules and practise fair play (respect, teamwork).
• Plan and perform a short practice session and small-sided game.

Equipment and safety

• Football (size 4 for age 12), cones, bibs (pinnies), whistle, goal posts (or markers).
• Wear shin guards and suitable shoes (studs on grass, trainers on hard ground).
• Warm up before playing to avoid injury. Drink water during breaks.
• Play in a safe place: even ground, free of stones and holes.

Warm-up (10 minutes)

1. Jogging around the field (2 minutes).
2. Dynamic stretches: leg swings, high knees, butt kicks (3 minutes).
3. Ball warm-up: passing in pairs, light dribbling (5 minutes).

Basic skills (how to practise)

Dribbling

Use the inside and outside of your foot. Keep the ball close, look up often to see team-mates. Practice dribbling around cones slowly then faster.

Passing

Use the inside of your foot for accurate short passes. Aim for a teammate's feet or chest. Practice passing in pairs 5–10 metres apart.

Receiving (trapping)

Soften the ball when it arrives using the inside of the foot, thigh or chest. Take a touch away from pressure.

Shooting

Plant your non-kicking foot next to the ball, strike with the laces for power or the inside for accuracy. Aim low and towards corners.

Simple rules (for school games)

• Two teams try to score by getting the ball into the opponent’s goal. Most goals wins.
• Kick-in or throw-in when ball crosses the sideline (teach throw-in technique: two hands, both feet on ground).
• Corners and goal-kicks: ball placed at corner or goal area when last touched by defender/attacker.
• No dangerous tackles. Fouls lead to free kicks; repeated or violent fouls may lead to a player being sent off.
• Offside rule: explain simply — try to avoid complicated detail; encourage staying level with or behind last defender when receiving a through pass.

Positions (7-a-side example — good for schools)

Common roles and what they do:

• Goalkeeper (GK): protects the goal.
• Defender (CB / LB / RB): stop opponents and clear the ball.
• Midfielder (CM): link defence and attack, pass and help both ways.
• Winger/Attacking Mid (LM/RM): run down the sides, cross and create chances.
• Striker (ST): score goals and press opponents high up the pitch.

Sample 45-minute lesson plan (school-friendly)

1. Warm-up (10 min): light jog, dynamic stretches, passing in pairs.
2. Skill practice (10 min): dribbling through cones — challenge: 3 laps, fastest wins.
3. Passing drill (8 min): pairs passing, then 4-player square keep-away.
4. Shooting practice (7 min): shoot from 8–12 metres — aim for corners.
5. Small-sided game (7v7) or 6v6 (8–9 min): apply skills in game situation.
6. Cool-down & reflection (2–3 min): stretching and short talk on teamwork and what improved.

Practice games and drills

• Red Light, Green Light with ball — control and speed.
• 1v1 to small goal — helps dribbling and defending skills.
• Keep-away (4v2) — improves passing under pressure.
• Shooting contest — accuracy points for hitting zones in the goal.

Teaching points & values

• Encourage communication: call for the ball, shout “man on!”
• Respect teammates, opponents, referees — fair play is important in Kenyan school sport.
• Improve slowly: focus on technique before speed.
• Celebrate effort, not just winning. Learn from mistakes.

Assessment ideas (for teacher)

• Observe a 3-minute small-sided game: mark each pupil for passing, teamwork and effort.
• Simple checklist: dribbling control (yes/no), passing accuracy (1–5), correct throw-in technique (yes/no).
• Short reflection: ask pupils what they learnt and one thing to practise at home.

Kenyan links & examples

Mention local role models like the national team (Harambee Stars) and clubs such as Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards to inspire pupils. Encourage participation in school tournaments and community pitches — many county competitions and talent days take place in Kenya.

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Quick checklist for pupils

• Bring a ball, water, and shin guards.
• Warm up before training.
• Listen to your coach/teacher and be active.
• Use fair play and respect everyone.

Teacher tip: use small-sided games to give all pupils many touches on the ball — this builds skill and confidence faster than large teams.