This training session belongs to level 1 of development plan: FOUNDATION - 30 training
sessions per season (level)
Title of the level
Ball practices for the youngest I
Age group
Level 1
Age group
5/6 years
Session number
1 of 30
Total duration
Players: 60 minutes
Goalkeepers: 60 minutes
WARM UP
Duration: Players: 10 min / Goalkeepers: 10 min
Ball drills
Side-games - Other Side-games
One ball each - FOLLOW THE LEADER - HANDBALL
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 10 min
Organisation/learning: The players each hold a ball in their hands and walk around the pitch
in a line. The player at the front does different things with the ball using only their hands and
the following players all copy the leader. Change the leader regularly and allow all players the
chance to lead.
Variations: Divide the players into smaller or larger groups.
MAIN PART
Duration: Players: 40 min / Goalkeepers: 40 min
Ball drills
Side-games - Soccer Side-games
One ball each - RUNNING WITH THE BALL – BETWEEN CONES
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 15 min
Organisation/learning: The players each have a ball and run with it between the cones in a
specific order, for example every other time around a red cone and every other time around a
yellow cone.
Variations: The players stop when the coach makes a sign then continue running again when
instructed. Stop when a chosen player stops and run again when the chosen player starts running again. Run with the ball in a line after a chosen player.
Ball drills
Ballgames - With goals
One on one - TWO GOALS – RUN THE BALL OVER THE LINE
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 25 min
Organisation/learning: Divide the players into pairs with one ball per pair. They play one
against one on a pitch with two goals and they score a goal by running the ball over the line
which can be their opponents’ goal line. Because this is a game situation of one against one
there can be many opportunities to practise feinting and dribbling as well as defending one
against one.
Variations: Give out extra points for different skills that you want to practise for example a
certain type of feint – dribble.
FINAL PART
Duration: Players: 10 min / Goalkeepers: 10 min
Ball drills
Side-games - Other Side-games
One ball each - ALMOST ONE BALL PER PLAYER
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 10 min
Organisation/learning: The players walk or jog around stationary balls. There is one ball less
than the total amount of players. With different types of hand signals or words/sounds from
the trainer the players turn and walk or jog in the opposite direction around the balls or sit upon a ball. One player will be without a ball and receives a point. Play many times.
Variations: The player without a ball is eliminated from the game until the next round; remove one ball after each round. Come up with different actions for different signals made by
the trainer
Title of the level
Ball practices for the youngest
Age group
Level 1
Age group
5/6 years
Session number
2 of 30
Total duration
Players: 60 minutes
Goalkeepers: 60 minutes
WARM UP
Duration: Players: 10 min / Goalkeepers: 10 min
Ball drills
Side-games - Other Side-games
One ball each - TAG WITH BIBS
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 10 min
Organisation/learning: Each player has a ball and runs with it in a restricted area. All of
the players have a coloured bib, loosely placed and accessible behind their back, in the top
of their shorts. The players try to grab as many of the other players’ bibs as possible without having their own bib taken. If the players bib is taken then the player puts another one
in its place. The winner is the player that has the most bibs when the game is over. Finish
and start a new game many times. Play the game at times without using soccer balls.
Variations: The player whose bib is taken is eliminated from the game until the next
round.
MAIN PART
Duration: Players: 40 min / Goalkeepers: 40 min
Ball drills
Ball control - Running with the ball
One ball each - RUN STRAIGHT FORWARDS WITH THE BALL
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 15 min
Organisation/learning: The players each have a ball. They run with the ball at their own
pace using one foot and for example using the outside of the foot. They run with the ball
using good ball control, straight forward over a defined distance. They make a turn of their
choice and run back with the ball. Do the same thing using the other foot.
Variations: Run with the ball using a part of the foot chosen by the player. Add in changes
of direction, changes of pace, feints etc. Decide how the turn are to be completed.
Ball drills
Ballgames - With goals
One on one - CONES AS GOALS
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 25 min
Organisation/learning: The players are divided into pairs with one ball per pair. They play
one against one on a pitch with four cones, placed in each corner of the pitch, as goals and
they score a goal by hitting one of their opponents’ cones with the ball. This is a game of
one against one so it will mostly be a practise of feinting and dribbling as well as defending
one against one. Try having four players per pitch, divided into two teams, playing one
against one in turns and count together the number of goals the team scores. Swap opponent regularly or after each goal.
Variations: Give out extra points for different skills that you want to practise for example a
certain skill of feint – dribble.
FINAL PART
Duration: Players: 10 min / Goalkeepers: 10 min
Ball drills
Side-games - Soccer Side-games
One ball each - THE ANTHILL
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 10 min
Organisation/learning: Many players each with their own ball in a small grid so it looks
almost like an anthill. The players keep control of their own ball at the same time trying to
kick out their opponents’ ball. Any player whose ball is kicked out must leave the grid immediately without kicking out any other balls. The player remaining in possession of their
ball the longest is the winner. Play many times.
Variations: No player leaves the grid; instead the players themselves count up how many
balls they kick out. The player who kicks out the most balls wins the round. It is also possible to lose a point when their ball is kicked out.
Title of the level
Ball practices for the youngest I
Age group
Level 1
Age group
5/6 years
Session number
3 of 30
Total duration
Players: 60 minutes
Goalkeepers: 60 minutes
WARM UP
Duration: Players: 10 min / Goalkeepers: 10 min
Ball drills
Ball control - Goalkeeping
One ball each - FOLLOW THE LEADER
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 10 min
Organisation/learning: The players have a ball each and they are divided into pairs. The
players walk around the pitch holding the ball in their hands. One player in the pair does
something amusing with their ball using their hands and the partner walking behind, tries to
imitate. Change roles regularly. Gradually let the players start to practise different goalkeeping skills using the same method.
Variations: The players are divided into different sized groups for example in threes or
fours. The players run instead.
MAIN PART
Duration: Players: 40 min / Goalkeepers: 40 min
Ball drills
Ball control - Running with the ball
One ball each - RUN WITH THE BALL AROUND THE CONES
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 15 min
Organisation/learning: All of the players have a ball each and run with it using different
techniques and with good ball control between and around the laid out cones. When the
trainer signals or makes a sign they place one foot on top of the ball and then continue running with the ball again. They practise at the same time the so called split vision technique.
Variations: Decide which foot and which part of the foot can be used. Practise making 180
degree changes of direction, changes of pace, feints etc. whilst running with the ball.
Ball drills
Ballgames - With goalkeepers
One on one - ONE GOAL – ONE GOALKEEPER
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 25 min
Organisation/learning: Three players per ball and goal. One player’s stands in the goal
and throws out the ball, facing away from the pitch, to the two outfield players who play
one against one and try to score a goal. Change the goalkeeper regularly. The players feint
– dribble and shoot in a variety of ways. This exercise is also good training for defending
and for the goalkeeper.
Variations: Count up the goals and have a mini-tournament internally on each pitch or a
common tournament for all the pitches.
FINAL PART
Duration: Players: 10 min / Goalkeepers: 10 min
Ball drills
Side-games - Soccer Side-games
More players per ball - WALKING SOCCER
(For field players and goalkeepers)
Duration: 10 min
Organisation/learning: Play soccer with two teams in the usual manner – with two goals,
with or without goalkeepers – except the players are only allowed to walk on the pitch.
Variations: Play with four five meter goals, two goals per team.
Title of the level
Ball practices for the youngest
Age group
Level 1
Age group
5/6 years
Session number
Variations
Total duration
Players: 60 minutes
Goalkeepers: 60 minutes
FOLLOW THE LEADER – HANDBALL
Organisation/learning:
The players each hold a ball in their hands and walk around the pitch in a line. The player at the
front does different things with the ball using only their hands and the following players all copy
the leader. Change the leader regularly and allow all players the chance to lead.
Variations:
Divide the players into smaller or larger groups.
FOLLOW THE LEADER IN PAIRS
Organisation/learning:
The players each have a ball and are divided into pairs. One of the players in the pair does
something with the ball and the teammate copies. The leader can choose a soccer technique but
may also use their hands to play with the ball in different ways. Change roles at regular intervals.
Variations:
The players can be divided into groups of threes or fours.
ALMOST ONE BALL PER PLAYER
Organisation/learning:
The players walk or jog around stationary balls. There is one ball less than the total amount of
players. With different types of hand signals or words/sounds from the trainer the players turn
and walk or jog in the opposite direction around the balls or sit upon a ball. One player will be
without a ball and receives a point. Play many times.
Variations:
The player without a ball is eliminated from the game until the next round; remove one ball after each round. Come up with different actions for different signals made by the trainer.
ANTHILL HOLDING A BALL
Organisation/learning:
The players each hold a ball in one hand. In a restricted area they try to knock the other players’ ball out of their hand as often as possible, whilst holding onto their own ball. The players
count up how many times they knock another players’ ball to the ground.
Variations:
The player that has their ball knocked out of their hand is eliminated from the game until the
next round and the last player holding their ball wins.
TAG WITH BIBS
Organisation/learning:
Each player has a ball and runs with it in a restricted area. All of the players have a colored bib,
loosely placed and accessible behind their back, in the top of their shorts. The players try to
grab as many of the other players’ bibs as possible without having their own bib taken. If the
players bib is taken then the player puts another one in its place. The winner is the player that
has the most bibs when the game is over. Finish and start a new game many times. Play the
game at times without using soccer balls.
Variations:
The player whose bib is taken is eliminated from the game until the next round.
RELAY HOLDING A BALL
Organisation/learning:
The players compete in pairs and have one ball per pair. The first player runs with the ball in
their hands as quickly as possible to the pairs own cone which is positioned at a chosen distance
away and places the ball behind the cone, turns back without the ball and changes over at the
starting cone with their partner. The partner runs quickly out and collects the ball and returns to
the start. The first pair to return to the start with the ball wins.
Variations:
Run two or more times each. Come up with rules to ensure that the change over is as fair as
possible, for example change over by touching their partner gently on the back
CATCH THE BALL IN THE AIR
Organisation/learning:
The players are divided into pairs with one ball per pair. One player per pair stands on a line
holding the ball and throws the ball in a high arc to their partner. The partner attempts to catch
the ball without dropping it on the ground. After each successful attempt, the players get to try
many times, the partner moves further away from the player throwing the ball for example five
meters each time. The pair of players that finish furthest away from each other wins. You may
allow the ball to bounce before it is caught.
Variations:
Play without allowing the ball to bounce. Practise using proper throw-ins during the exercise.
LINE BALL USING YOUR HANDS
Organisation/learning:
The players are divided into teams. They stand in a line with their feet wide apart. The first
player in the line uses their hands to roll the ball between the other players’ legs to the last
player in the line. The last player picks the ball up, runs around a cone, runs forward with the
ball in a pre-decided manner goes around another cone and finally rolls the ball backwards
through the legs of the players in the line again. When all the players have completed their turn
the team whose initial player returns to the front of the line first wins.
Variations:
Each player completes the exercise two or more times in a row before finishing. Run with the
ball in different ways.
TOUCH HANDBALL WITH CONES FOR GOALS
Organisation/learning:
The players are divided into small teams for example three against three and play the game
with two goals marked out using cones. The players are only allowed to use their hands and
must touch the ball to the ground before passing or attempting a goal. The other team takes
possession if they intercept the ball, when the ball bounces on the ground or if the player in
possession forgets to touch the ball to the ground. A goal can only be scored by rolling the ball
through the cones for example from a maximum three meters out. The defending players are
allowed to stop the ball with their feet when it is rolling towards the goal.
Variations:
The ball is allowed to bounce over the goal line.
TOUCH HANDBALL USING REAL GOALS
Organisation/learning:
Divide the players into two teams and allow them to play using two real goals. If there are an
uneven number of players then the extra player has a different coloured bib and plays free,
meaning that the free player is always active with the attacking team, but is not allowed to
score a goal. Change the free player regularly. The players are only allowed to play using their
hands and must touch the ball to the ground before passing. The other team takes possession if
they intercept the ball, when the ball bounces on the ground, when the ball goes out of the
playing area or if the player in possession forgets to touch the ball to the ground. A goal is
scored for example by heading the ball into the goal or by hitting the crossbar with the ball.
Variations:
The players can choose to pass the ball with a header meaning that they don’t have to touch the
ball to the ground first.