Warm Up: Four Ball Reactions
Four players enter the area. Each player goes to a cone and begins to jog on the
spot. The players must react to your call. If you call “left” or “right” the players
must move to the correct cone. If you call “switch”, the players switch positions
with the players opposite them. When you blow a whistle, the players must turn
and sprint to knock the ball off their outside cone and race back to the middle.
Coaching Points: Players on their toes. Quick Reactions. Fast movement of feet.
Drive off leading foot.
Activity 1: Passing Through the Midfield
Setup a 40x20 yard area. Reds have five passes to get the ball to Yellow.. Each
time they do this they score one point. Greens win a point for intercepting the
ball or if the teams exceed five passes. All passes must be below head height
and players should only take 3 touches in sequence. Once one team has five
points, the teams rotate positions.
Coaching Points: Quick Passing. Vision. Awareness. Midfield should stay
compact at all times. Movement to create angles.
Activity 2: Passing Through the Midfield (Inc. Dribbling)
This time, if Reds reach their fourth pass, the player in possession can dribble
into the playing area to find space to make a pass. To increase the difficulty for
the midfielders, raise the number of passes the teams can make, or the number
of touches each player can have.
Coaching Points: On toes ready to receive the ball. Balanced. Positive first
touch. Move quickly into the open space. Decision Making. Vision. Awareness.
Midfield should stay compact at all times. Movement to create angles.
Activity 3: Three Goal Game
Play 3v3 on a 30x30 yard field. Place three small goals across both end lines. The
attackers must find space to receive a pass before shooting at goal. The
defenders must work as a team to close down the ball carrier and try to cut off
the pass or block the shot.
Coaching Points: Good first touch. Movement to find space. Quick & clever
decisions. Correct pace and direction of ball. Find space & switch play quickly.
Deny space and time on the ball.
Cool Down: Dribble & Stretch
Keep players in two groups. One group performs static stretching exercises
whilst the others dribble with the ball. Ensure that the groups are rotated every
60seconds. This will help the muscles recover after the session and reduce the
buildup of lactic acid. It is important to encourage good habits at a young age.
Coaching Points: Gradually lower heart-rate. Ensure players stretch all major
muscle groups. Provide review of session objectives to players during the cool
down (re-enforce coaching points)
Coaching Advice

Plan session and equipment needed in advance.

Try to get to the training area first to set up and check for obstacles/potential hazards.

Create an exciting atmosphere.

Focus on coaching position and if required kneel to the height of the children that you are coaching.

Adapt sessions to challenge those who are finding to straight forward and support those who are
struggling.

Be a role model for the children you are coaching.

Use language that children will understand.

Provide encouragement to players when they are performing well and encourage those who are not
equally.

The result of the game is not important at this age, the focus is on enjoyment and developing the skills
required for the future.

Create a fun environment and do not create additional pressure by shouting or using threatening language.

During games it is sometimes better to let the children play without noise from the side.
All of the above are in addition to the normal health and safety issues like registers, medical information, field and
equipment checks, and the correct playing kit etc.
It is vital that you involve the parent coaches. They are there to learn and they can provide you with assistance
during practice etc.
REMEMBER:
All of these sessions can be adapted and you should constantly be looking to teach players new
skills and explain different aspects of the game to them when doing each activity!!!