Five backyard soccer games for parents who never played

If you never played soccer, the idea of "practicing" with your child can feel like a test you didn't study for. Good news: kids don't need a coach in the backyard. They need a playmate. Here are five easy games you can start today.

1. Tunnel Pass

Stand a few steps apart and make a "tunnel" with your legs. Can your child pass the ball through using the inside of their foot? Then switch: you pass, they make the tunnel. Cheer every try, especially the misses.

2. Cone Gates

Set up pairs of cones (or shoes, or water bottles) a couple of steps apart around the yard. Your child dribbles through as many "gates" as they can while you count to 30. Then it's your turn. Let them count for you.

3. Red Light, Green Light Dribble

Green light means dribble. Red light means stop the ball with the bottom of your foot. Add "yellow light" for slow motion. After a few rounds, hand your child the job of calling the lights.

4. Target Shoot

Make a goal with two cones, a laundry basket or the gap between two trees. Point your toes down and kick with your laces, not your toes. After each goal, take one step back. Missed? Step forward and try again.

5. Copycat Coach

Take turns being the coach. One person does a move, like tapping the top of the ball, rolling it with the bottom of the foot, or a gentle pass with the inside of the foot. The other copies it. Kids love catching grown-ups doing it "wrong," and that's half the fun.

One more tip

Keep it short and stop while it's still fun. Ten happy minutes today makes it easier to say yes to playing again tomorrow.