Soccer Scenario Reading

One bright afternoon, Leo and his friends gathered on the soccer field. The sun warmed their faces, and a gentle breeze blew through the grass. Leo lined up the ball for the big kick. He took a deep breath and ran toward the ball.

His foot swung… but the ball flew wide, missing the goal entirely. Leo’s heart pounded. He could feel heat in his cheeks and his small hands curled into tight fists. "Why did I miss?" he thought. A loud sigh escaped his mouth. He stomped his foot and frowned, so angry that he almost wanted to shout.

Leo looked around at his friends. Some faces were worried. His friend Maya walked over and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "It’s okay, Leo. Everyone misses a shot sometimes. Want to try again?"

Leo thought for a moment. He felt his fists relax and his breath slow. He nodded.

Maya helped him line up the ball a second time. Leo closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and kicked the ball toward the net. Swish! It sailed right in.

Leo jumped up and down with joy. He smiled and high-fived his friends. He felt proud that he stayed calm and gave it another try.

What do you think Leo felt when he missed the first shot?

Can you remember a time you felt frustrated like Leo? What did you do?

Emotion Prompt Cards

Cut along the lines to create six emotion cards. Show a card and ask the student to name or act out the feeling.

😡 Angry

😤 Frustrated

😥 Sad

😊 Calm

😃 Happy

😪 Relaxed

Anger Meter Worksheet

Look at the feelings on the anger meter below. For each situation, circle the number that shows how angry you would feel.

Anger Meter:
1 😊 Calm 2 🙂 A Little Upset 3 😠 Angry 4 😡 Very Angry 5 🤯 Furious

1. Your soccer ball rolls away and you can’t find it. Circle: 1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   
2. A friend won’t pass you the ball. Circle: 1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   
3. You spill your drink on your drawing. Circle: 1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   
4. You miss a soccer goal in front of your team. Circle: 1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   
5. You have to stop playing to go to bed. Circle: 1 2 3 4 5
   
   
   

When I feel angry, I can:

Coping Strategies Sorting Activity

In this activity, the student will sort coping strategy cards into two categories:

• Before Anger Rises (things you can do as soon as you feel upset)
• When Anger Peaks (things you can do when you feel very, very angry)

Instructions:

1. Cut out all the strategy cards below.
2. Lay out two columns on the table or floor and label them: Before Anger Rises and When Anger Peaks.
3. Read each card aloud.
4. Place each card under the column where it fits best.
5. After sorting, discuss why each strategy can help in that moment.

Take three deep breaths

Count slowly to five

Think of your favorite soccer memory

Take a short break from the field

Talk to a friend or adult

Squeeze a stress ball or soft toy

Pretend to kick an invisible ball

Clench your fists, then relax them

Draw or color a picture

Imagine scoring a calm goal

Score a Calm Goal Game

In this fun, soccer‐themed game, the student practices naming calm coping strategies and “scores” by kicking a marker into a goal for each strategy.

Materials:

• Small goal or box (draw a goal on paper or use a small container)
• Soft marker (e.g., a bean bag or pom-pom)
• Coping strategy list (from the sorting activity or your own ideas)
• Tape or chalk to mark a kicking line

Setup (5 minutes):

1. Place your goal/box on the floor.
2. Mark a kicking line about 3–4 feet away.
3. Gather coping strategy cards or have a ready list.

How to Play (5 minutes):

1. Stand behind the kicking line with your marker.
2. Name one calm coping strategy you’ve learned (for example, “Take three deep breaths”).
3. If you named a strategy that helps when you feel upset or very angry, take one kick toward the goal.
4. Try to get your marker into the goal to “score a calm goal.”
5. Celebrate each marker that goes in as a win for managing your anger!

Variation for Extra Practice:

• After each kick, talk about when you could use that strategy (e.g., “I can breathe deeply when I miss a goal in soccer”).
• Keep a running total of goals scored. See how many calm goals you can score in a row!

Wrap-Up:

• Cheer for every calm goal scored!
• Remind the student that naming and using these strategies helps them stay in control, just like a great soccer player keeps calm on the field.

Great job “scoring” positive reactions and learning to tackle anger!

Ready for the next match? Keep practicing these strategies every day.