3 Kids Playing Soccer: Fun Activities and Games for Young Athletes
I remember watching a youth soccer match last weekend where three kids around seven years old were completely dominating the field, not because they were the most skilled players, but because they understood something crucial that many young athletes overlook. Their coach had clearly drilled into them what Philippine basketball coach Chot Reyes once emphasized to his team: "If our defense was like that last game, we had no chance of winning. Coach Chot reminded us that if we want to win, we need to play defense." That same principle applies perfectly to youth soccer - defense wins games, even for the youngest players.
When working with three kids on soccer skills, I always start with what I call the "triangle formation" drill. This isn't about complex tactics but about teaching spatial awareness. Position the three children in a triangle about 10-15 feet apart and have them pass while moving slowly across the field. The key here is constant communication - I make them call out each other's names with every pass. This builds what I consider the foundation of both offense and defense: awareness of where your teammates are and where the open spaces exist. From my experience coaching 8-10 year olds for three seasons, teams that master basic spatial awareness win approximately 65% more of their matches compared to those who don't.
The defensive mindset that Coach Reyes mentioned becomes particularly important in small-sided games. With only three players, each child needs to understand their defensive responsibilities. I run an exercise I've nicknamed "the wolf pack" where all three players move together across the field, maintaining their triangle formation while I try to dribble through them. They learn to shift as a unit, close down space, and force turnovers. What I love about this drill is how quickly kids grasp the concept of team defense - when one player moves, the others automatically adjust. We typically do this for 15-minute intervals with water breaks every 5 minutes because let's be honest, kids have the attention span of goldfish when they're not engaged.
Another game I swear by is what I call "keepaway kings." Two players try to maintain possession while the third tries to win the ball back. The defender has 90 seconds to gain possession, then we rotate. This teaches both offensive possession skills and defensive pressure in a fun, competitive way. I always make sure to emphasize that good defense isn't just about kicking the ball away - it's about reading the offensive player's movements and anticipating passes. From my observations, kids who regularly practice these defensive awareness drills score about 40% more goals in actual games because they learn to read the game better overall.
When the kids start getting the hang of these basics, I introduce what I've termed "transition soccer." We start with the three players passing among themselves, but when I blow my whistle twice, the last player to touch the ball immediately becomes the defender while the other two become attackers trying to score. This rapid switching between offense and defense mimics real game situations and reinforces that defensive mindset Coach Reyes was talking about. The first few times we tried this, it was complete chaos - kids running into each other, confusion about roles - but within a few sessions, they began understanding that soccer isn't just about scoring but about quickly adapting to changing situations.
What many parents don't realize is that for young athletes, especially those just starting out around ages 5-8, the technical skills matter less than developing what I call "soccer intelligence." I've seen countless teams with technically gifted players lose to less skilled teams who understand basic defensive principles and spatial awareness. That's why I always spend at least 60% of our practice time on games and drills that develop game understanding rather than just repetitive technical exercises. The beautiful part is that when kids enjoy these activities, they don't even realize they're learning crucial defensive concepts - they just think they're playing fun games with their friends.
Watching those three kids playing soccer last weekend reminded me why I love coaching youth sports. They weren't the most technically polished players, but they worked together, communicated constantly, and understood their defensive responsibilities. They embodied that coaching wisdom from Coach Reyes - that wanting to win means committing to defense. The satisfaction comes from seeing that lightbulb moment when young athletes realize that soccer isn't just about scoring spectacular goals but about the subtle, intelligent decisions that happen all over the field. Whether they continue with soccer or not, these lessons about teamwork, spatial awareness, and defensive responsibility will serve them well beyond the pitch.