Inside Edge Slides Inside Edge
Mechanics
Becoming a Soccer Star!
Show Me Your Shoe!
Point to the inside of your shoe.
This is your Soccer Stick! It's flat and wide, just like a putter!
1
The Plant Foot
Step next to the ball.
Point your toes at your target.
Plant
2
The Putter Swing
Toe Up!
Heel Down!
Swing your leg like a clock.
Inside Edge!
Wall Ball Challenge!
Can you hit the wall with your "Inside Edge" 5 times?
1
2
3
4
5
Putter Pass Teacher Guide Putter Pass Guide
Lesson 1: Inside Edge Mechanics
Kindergarten PE
Lesson Objective
Students will identify the inside edge of their foot as the primary passing surface and demonstrate a "putter-like" swing to kick a ball toward a stationary target (wall).
Equipment
Size 3 Soccer Balls
Wall space or heavy mats
Cones (markers)
Instructional Cues
STEP
Plant foot next to the ball, pointing at the target.
PUTTER
Turn foot out like a wide, flat golf putter.
POINT
Swing through and point the "putter" at the target.
The "Wall Ball" Challenge
1
Setup: Position students 3-5 feet away from a wall with a ball and a cone marker for their "planting" spot.
2
Action: Students practice the "Step, Putter, Point" sequence to tap the ball against the wall.
3
Goal: Focus on soft contact. The ball should hit the wall and roll back gently. No "booming" kicks!
Common Mistakes
The Toe Poke: Students use their toes instead of the side. Correction: Remind them to turn their toes out like a duck.
Walking Through: Kicking leg keeps walking forward. Correction: "Swing and Freeze" at the target.
Inside Edge Worksheet My Soccer Stick
Lesson 1: Finding the Inside Edge
Name
1. Color Your "Soccer Stick"
COLOR THIS
PART GREEN!
"This is the flat part of your shoe. We call it our soccer stick!"
2. Skill Challenge
Check the box when you finish each challenge with your teacher!
I found my Inside Edge!
I can swing like a putter!
I hit the wall 5 times!
I pointed at my target!
3. Draw You Hitting the Ball! Castle Crashers Slides Castle
Crashers
The Quest for Accuracy!
Your Mission
The giant towers (cones) are standing in your way!
Use your Inside Edge to knock them down.
Aim for the Center!
Look Before You Kick
STOP
Look at the Tower.
AIM
Point your plant foot.
TAP
Swing your putter.
Accuracy is better than power!
Game Rules
1
Stand at your starting cone.
2
Kick your ball at the "Tower".
3
Run and get your ball!
KNOCK IT DOWN TO SCORE!
Level Up!
Can you do it from 2 steps further back?
Castle Crashers Teacher Guide Castle Crashers Guide
Lesson 2: Target Practice and Accuracy
Accuracy Focus
Game Purpose
Students transition from hitting a flat wall to aiming at a specific, small target. This game reinforces the "Look-Aim-Tap" cycle and discourages kicking for power over precision.
Setup
1 Ball per student
1 Tall cone (The Tower)
Starting markers (Poly-spots)
The Accuracy Cycle
LOOK
Find the center of the cone before you step.
AIM
Your plant foot (non-kicker) must point AT the cone.
TAP
Gentle 'putter' swing. Soft enough to catch it if it misses.
Activity Progression
1
The Drawbridge (Short Range)
Start only 2 feet away. Focus on 100% accuracy. If you hit it, take a "Giant Step" back.
2
Moat Master (Medium Range)
Move to 5 feet away. Challenge students to knock it down 3 times in a row.
3
The Catapult (Long Range)
Maximum distance (8-10 feet). Remind them that a slow, straight ball is better than a fast, wild ball.
Observational Checklist
Plant foot points at cone
Contact with inside of foot
Eyes on target during setup
Ball rolls straight (no spin)
Castle Crashers Worksheet Castle Tracker
Lesson 2: Accuracy Practice
Name
Every time you knock down the tower, color in one castle! Can you crash them all?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
King!
My Favorite
Target
How did you feel today?
😊
😐
💪
Better Together Slides Better Together
Partner Passing & Trapping
Teamwork!
A partner is someone who helps you get better!
Give a "Good Pass"
Wait for your partner
Say "Nice Job!"
The Trap
"Step on the Bug!"
WATCH
Keep your eyes on the ball.
WAIT
Let the ball come to you.
STOP
Put your foot on TOP of the ball.
THE 10-PASS CHALLENGE!
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Pass, Trap, Pass, Trap...
Better Together Teacher Guide Better Together Guide
Lesson 3: Partner Passing and Trapping
Social & Motor Skills
Cooperation Core
This lesson marks the transition from individual skill to reciprocal play . Students must now consider the success of another person. The focus is on the "Trap" (stopping the ball) as the necessary first step before a return pass.
Key Terms
Partner
Trap (Stop)
Passing Lane
Teaching "The Trap"
The "Step on the Bug" Cue
Kindergarteners often try to kick a moving ball immediately, which leads to misses. The Rule: You must catch the ball with your foot before you can pass it back.
Instruction: "The ball is a little bug. Gently step on it to stop it from crawling away—don't squash it, just hold it!"
The 10-Pass Challenge
1
Pairs stand 5-8 feet apart (increase based on success).
2
Partner A passes. Partner B must TRAP the ball first.
3
Count out loud: "One... Two... Three..." Success is 10 in a row!
Cooperation Coaching
What to say to partners:
"Nice pass, [Name]!"
"Good trap!"
Self-Correction Prompt:
"Was that pass easy for your partner to stop, or did it run away like a squirrel?"
Partner Promise Sheet Partner Promise
Lesson 3: Teamwork & Cooperation
Name
I Promise to be a Great Teammate!
Soccer is more fun when we help each other.
I will wait for my partner to be ready.
I will say "Good Pass!" or "Nice Trap!"
I will use my "Putter Pass" softly.
My Official Signature
"I'm a Soccer Star Teammate!"
Gate Unlockers Slides Gate
Unlockers
The Precision Passing Challenge
Finding the Gates
A gate is the space between two cones.
The Goal:
Pass the ball THROUGH the gate to your partner!
Cone
Straight Like a Ruler
To go through the gate, your ball must roll in a perfectly straight line.
Facing the Gate
Looking at Shoes
(Eyes on the target!)
Unlock the Forest!
How many gates can you and your partner find in the forest?
1. PASS
2. TRAP
3. FIND A NEW GATE
Gate Unlockers Teacher Guide Gate Unlockers Guide
Lesson 4: Passing Through Gates
Precision & Space
Spatial Precision
Students move from open-field passing to constraint-based passing . The "Gate" forces students to align their body and follow-through accurately. This lesson also introduces the idea of moving the ball to a specific "lane."
Setup
1 Ball per pair
20+ Cones (Gates)
Open field/gym
Game: "Unlock the Forest"
Scenario: The field is a magical forest. To move through it, partners must "unlock" gates by passing the ball through them to each other.
Action
Partners find a gate. Partner A stands on one side, Partner B on the other. They pass through, trap, and then move to a NEW gate.
The "Key"
A gate is only "unlocked" if the ball passes between the cones without touching them and is successfully trapped on the other side.
Teaching the "Straight Line"
Square Your Hips
Hips should be like a pair of headlights pointing exactly through the middle of the gate.
Low Follow-Through
Keep the "putter" low to the ground. If the toes point up at the end, the ball will roll straighter.
Coaching Tips
Issue: Collisions
Students rushing to the same gate. Correction: Remind them to look for "quiet" gates with no other teams.
Progression: Narrow Gates
If students find it too easy, move the cones closer together to "shrink the lock."
Gate Unlocker Tracker Gate Unlockers
Lesson 4: Accuracy & Precision
Name
The Forest Mission
Find a gate (two cones) with your partner. Pass the ball through the middle. If it doesn't touch the cones and your partner traps it, you unlocked the gate!
Color in one key for every gate you unlock!
Gate 1
Gate 2
Gate 3
Gate 4
Gate 5
Gate 6
Gate 7
Master!
Draw your favorite Gate from the Forest! Move and Freeze Slides Pass, Move,
& Freeze
The Game is Always Moving!
The Soccer Secret
In soccer, we never stand still!
Once you kick the ball, you have to vanish to a new spot!
Find Open Space!
?
How to Move and Freeze
1. PASS
Use your inside edge.
2. MOVE
Run to a new "Open Space".
3. FREEZE
Stop and wait for the ball.
Finding "Open Space"
Is it Open Space if...
You are standing behind a cone?
You are touching your partner?
Your partner can SEE you clearly?
YES!
Soccer Star Finale!
Can you do it without any collisions?
Pass -> Run -> Freeze!
Move and Freeze Teacher Guide Pass Move Freeze Guide
Lesson 5: Dynamic Movement
Capstone Skill
Movement Off-the-Ball
This final lesson introduces the concept of dynamic space . Students learn that their job isn't over after they kick the ball. They must relocate to "open space" to become an option for their partner again.
Success Skills
Relocation
Field Awareness
Ready Stance
The "Vanishing" Game
1. Pass
Deliver a straight pass to your partner.
2. Vanish
Sprint to a new spot (Open Space).
3. Freeze
Stop and show "Ready Hands" for the return.
Defining "Open Space"
"Open space is like a window. If there's a wall (cone) or a person in front of the window, I can't see through it!"
The "I See You" Test
Can you and your partner see each other's shoes? If yes, the passing lane is open!
The "Bubble" Rule
Open space means you have your own "Personal Space Bubble" with no one else inside it.
The Finale Challenge
1
Partners start at a gate. They pass through.
2
The passer sprints to a different gate and freezes in a "Trap Stance."
3
The receiver traps the ball, looks for their partner's new spot, and passes to the new gate.
End of Sequence: Passing Fundamentals
Coordination
Social
Open Space Mission Sheet Open Space Mission
Lesson 5: Pass, Move, and Freeze!
Name
Your Final Mission
Soccer players are always looking for Open Space !
Can you do the 3-step cycle without bumping into anyone?
Step 1
PASS
Step 2
MOVE
Step 3
FREEZE
My Mission Map
Draw a picture of you and your partner in "Open Space"!
I stayed in my bubble!