FootieBugs’ main focus is providing fun football for kids, allowing children to have fun and enjoy participating sport as they grow up!
We work on developing children’s skills from the moment they join a FootieBugs class and we offer a pathway for them to follow as they get older, with skill levels to complete for each age category. Children will receive a certificate every time they complete a level and you will have the opportunity to purchase a FootieBugs trophy.
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
Toe Taps | Controlled without support. | More than 10 taps in a row without stopping – with some rhythm. | Being able to do 8 – 10 taps in a row without stopping and eyes closed – with a bit of rhythm. | Being able to do toe taps with rhythm, moving with the football in a forwards and backwards motion. |
Boxes | Being able to pass the football between both feet slowly. | Being able to pass the football between both feet more than 10 times without losing control – allow one touch with the hand to bring ball back. | Being able to pass the football between both feet more than 10 times without losing control, with rhythm (no hands). | Being able to pass the football between both feet whilst moving in a circle and keeping control. |
Stopping the ball | Being able to stop the football from moving without using hands. (allowing to fall/lose balance) | Being able to stop the football whilst keeping core balance, with one foot on the ball.(not falling over) | Being able to stop the football whilst dribbling at speed and keeping core balance with one foot on the ball and picking up an item while keeping control of the ball. | Being able to stop the football whilst dribbling at speed and keeping core balance with one foot on the ball and turning successfully, returning the object to the coach, keeping the ball under control. |
Ball Control/ | Dribbling the football and not picking it up more than 3 times during the session. | Being able to dribble with the football without picking the ball up during the session. | Keeping the football close when dribbling during 3 activities. | Being able to dribble the football past a defender in a shooting practice – continuously keeping control of the ball throughout the session. |
Shooting | Being able to dribble with the football towards the goal and score with no defence (not using hands). | Being able to strike the football accurately at the goal from a distance. | Being able to dribble past a defender and score into the goal. | Being able to successfully strike the ball from close up and past the goal keeper. |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | |
Toe Taps | Controlled without support. | More than 10 taps in a row without stopping – with some rhythm. | Being able to do 8 – 10 taps in a row without stopping and eyes closed – with a bit of rhythm. | Being able to do toe taps with rhythm, moving with the football in a forwards and backwards motion. |
Boxes | Being able to pass the football between both feet slowly. | Being able to pass the football between both feet more than 10 times without losing control – allow one touch with the hand to bring ball back. | Being able to pass the football between both feet more than 10 times without losing control, with rhythm (no hands). | Being able to pass the football between both feet whilst moving in a circle and keeping control. |
Stopping the ball | Being able to stop the football from moving without using hands. (allowing to fall/lose balance) | Being able to stop the football whilst keeping core balance, with one foot on the ball.(not falling over) | Being able to stop the football whilst dribbling at speed and keeping core balance with one foot on the ball and picking up an item while keeping control of the ball. | Being able to stop the football whilst dribbling at speed and keeping core balance with one foot on the ball and turning successfully, returning the object to the coach, keeping the ball under control. |
Ball Control/ | Dribbling the football and not picking it up more than 3 times during the session. | Being able to dribble with the football without picking the ball up during the session. | Keeping the football close when dribbling during 3 activities. | Being able to dribble the football past a defender in a shooting practice – continuously keeping control of the ball throughout the session. |
Shooting | Being able to dribble with the football towards the goal and score with no defence (not using hands). | Being able to strike the football accurately at the goal from a distance. | Being able to dribble past a defender and score into the goal. | Being able to successfully strike the ball from close up and past the goal keeper. |
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Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 | Level 8 | |
Passing | Being able to successfully direct the football to a player with any part of the foot. | Being able to successfully pass the football with the correct part of their foot (inside). | Being able to successfully pass the football with the inside of the foot whilst on the move. | Being able to successfully pass the football using the inside of the foot in match play. |
Dribbling | Being able to dribble with the inside and outside of the foot – using strong foot at any pace. | Being able to dribble the football with 3 parts of the foot (inside, outside and sole) with more speed. | Being able to start dribbling at a pace whilst using both feet, changing direction | Being able to comfortably shift the football past a player with either foot at a pace. |
Control | Being able to successfully stop the football with any part of the foot with up to 2 touches. | Being able to control the football with the inside or sole of the foot with only 1 touch. | Being able to control the football with all 3 parts of the foot whilst on the move. | Being able to control the football with all 3 parts of the foot whilst on the move and with awareness of the players that are around and not turning into another player. |
Tackling | Being able to tackle an opponent and winning the football, without necessarily gaining possession. | Being able to tackle an opponent and winning the football whilst also gaining possession of the ball. | Being able to block tackle an opponent while winning the football. | Being able to get into the surf position and successfully tackle or prod the football away with the foot. |
Shooting | Being able to strike the football with some power using any part of the foot, past the goal keeper from any range. | Being able to successfully strike the football using the right part of the foot (laces) past the goal keeper. | Being able to successfully strike the football using the right part of the foot (laces) past the goal keeper whilst hitting the corners of the goal. | Being able to successfully strike the football using the right part of the foot (laces) past the goal keeper whilst hitting the corners of the goal (children should look up at the goal keeper and make the right decision on their strike). |
Level 9 | Level 10 | Level 11 | Level 12 | |
Passing | Being able to successfully pass the football with any part of the foot. | Being able to successfully pass the football using different parts (both parts) of the foot. | Being able to start to pass the football over 15/20 yards with lift and back spin. | Being able to pass the ball to their teammate through defenders / keeping the ball, more than 3 passes in a row. |
Dribbling | Being able to use their weaker foot to dribble using 2 parts of their foot. | Being able to use skills such as drop of the shoulder and a fake to get past an object/defender. | Being able to dribble past the defender using more advanced skills, such as step over, double step over, Maradona, leaving the defender(s) behind. | Being able to recognise when to dribble into space, down the line or pass the ball. |
Control | Being able to control the football with 2 parts of the foot using only the weaker foot. | Being able to shift the football from one foot to the other foot and pass, using only 2 touches. | Being able to start using a different part of the body to control the ball within 2 or 3 touches. | Being able to recognise what part of the body to use at what time – for example shifting their first touch away from an oncoming opponent. |
Tackling | Being able to get into the surf position and successfully jockeying and kicking the football out. | Being able to successfully close down an opponent at pace whilst keeping the right distance and the right body shape (surf) from their opponent to make it harder. | Being able to successfully close down an opponent at pace whilst keeping the right distance and the right body shape(surf), jockeying from their opponent to make it harder for them, then poking and taking the ball away. | Being able to recognise when to close an opponent quickly or when to keep distance and jockey. |
Shooting | Being able to successfully strike the football using the right part of the foot (laces) past the goal keeper, whilst striking with more power on the move. | Being able to successfully strike the football first time. | Being able to successfully strike the ball the first time using different parts of the body, such as volleying or heading. | Being able to recognise when to place the football in the corners or to strike the ball with power to pass the goal keeper. |
