U7 · Dribble to score block · Week 1 of 6 · Introduce

Pace and feint

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The session at a glance
  1. ArriveCopy a Friend while you set up (8 min)
  2. Change paceTechnical · slow, then burst (10 min)
  3. Beat countChallenge · how many beats? (8 min)
  4. 1v1 to goalOpposed · beat and shoot (8 min)
  5. 2v1 attackOpposed · dribble or pass? (8 min)
  6. Pace match3v3 · a beat is worth double (14 min)

Minutes per stage. The last block is the conditioned game or the closing game. The dashed block is for changeovers and water.

Kit

8 conesPlus 2 goals. Use small goals, or two cones for each goal.
6 ballsOne per player for the first games, one per group after that.
BibsTwo colours for the two teams. Plus one for a defender.
Different numbers?
PlayersGroupsWho plays
61Two teams of three on one small pitch, with the other adult helping
724 and 3, one adult with each; one player rotates out each game
824 and 4, each as 2v2 plus a rotating player
93Three teams of three on a carousel
1025 and 5, each group as 3v2 plus a rotating player
1126 and 5, with rotating players
122Two pitches of 3v3

No more than six players per adult. Stage 6 is a 3v3 carousel on up to four small pitches, so nobody waits. Every player plays about the same time.

Arrive

Copy a Friend while you set up · 8 min

KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones

As each player arrives, they take a ball, pick a friend and copy what the friend does. Then pick a new friend. There is no leader.

While the players play, set up the area for the next game.

Set up

Nothing to set up. Players start as they arrive, each with a ball, beside the area you are building.

How it runs
  1. Each player takes a ball and picks a friend.
  2. Copy what your friend does with the ball: dribble, turn, stop, change speed.
  3. After a minute, pick a new friend.
  4. There is no leader. Everyone copies and everyone is copied.
What to look for
  • Players using different parts of the foot
  • Players watching their friend, not only the ball
Easier

Stay with one friend for the whole game.

Harder

Copy your friend's move, then add one of your own.

Ask: What did your friend do that you liked?

Change of pace

Technical · slow, then burst · 10 min

Kit2 linesA ball each

Dribble slowly toward a pretend defender, then take a big touch and burst away. The defender cannot tell when the burst is coming. Show it once, then let them play.

Set up

Mark a start line and a far line with cones. Each player has a ball and starts on the start line, spread out.

How it runs
  1. Dribble slowly toward the middle, as if a defender is there.
  2. At the middle, take a big touch and burst away.
  3. Dribble back slowly and go again.
  4. Show it once yourself before the players try.
What to look for
  • Players slowing down before they burst
  • A clear big touch to start the burst
Easier

Walk with the ball, then jog for the burst.

Harder

Burst on a call from the coach, so nobody knows when it is coming.

Ask: When did you burst?

Beat count

Challenge · how many beats? · 8 min

KitA ball per pairBibs for the defenders1 line or 2 cones

Attacker against a soft defender, who stands side-on with arms down. Beat them with a feint and a burst, then swap roles. Count how many you beat in a row. No timer.

Set up

Pairs in lanes. One attacker with a ball, one defender in a bib standing side-on with arms down, and a line to cross.

How it runs
  1. The attacker dribbles at the defender.
  2. Show the ball one way, then burst past on the other side.
  3. Go back for another. Count how many you beat in a row.
  4. Swap roles after each go.
What to look for
  • Attackers showing the ball before they go
  • Defenders staying soft so the attacker can succeed
Easier

The defender is a cone.

Harder

The defender may step toward the attacker.

Ask: How many did you beat in a row?

1v1 to goal

Opposed · beat and shoot · 8 min

Kit1 small goalA ball per pairBibs for the defenders

1v1 with a goal. The defender closes down, but must stay on their feet. The attacker beats them and shoots as soon as there is space. The winner stays on and a new player swaps in.

Set up

A small goal at one end. Pairs wait in a line at the other end, one ball per pair, defenders in bibs. Keep the area behind and beside the goal clear.

How it runs
  1. The attacker dribbles at the defender, who closes down but stays on their feet.
  2. The attacker beats them with a change of pace.
  3. As soon as there is space, shoot.
  4. The winner stays on. A new player swaps in.
What to look for
  • Shooting as soon as there is space, not after extra dribbling
  • Defenders staying on their feet
Easier

The defender starts a few steps back.

Harder

The defender starts close and may close down quickly.

SafetyBalls only go toward the goal. Keep the area behind and beside it clear, and ask players to wait while others fetch.

Ask: When did you shoot?

2v1 attack

Opposed · dribble or pass? · 8 min

Kit1 small goalA ball per groupBibs for the defenders

2v1 with a goal. The ball carrier dribbles at the defender. If the defender stays with the dribbler, pass to the free teammate. If not, keep going and shoot.

Set up

One small goal. Groups of three: two attackers with a ball and one defender in a bib. Others wait in a line.

How it runs
  1. The ball carrier dribbles at the defender.
  2. If the defender stays with the dribbler, pass to the free teammate.
  3. If the defender goes to the teammate, keep going and shoot.
  4. Swap roles after each go.
What to look for
  • Players deciding early whether to dribble or pass
  • The free player showing for the ball
Easier

The defender starts a few steps back.

Harder

The defender starts level with the attackers.

Ask: Dribble or pass, which was on?

Pace match

3v3 · a beat is worth double · 14 min

Kit2 small goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours

3v3, a goal at each end, no goalkeepers. A goal scored after a player has beaten a defender with a feint or burst counts double. Rotate players to give everyone a go at the front.

Set up

A small pitch with a small goal at each end and no goalkeepers. Two teams of three, one team in bibs. Spare players wait at the side.

How it runs
  1. Play 3v3. Score in either goal.
  2. A goal after a player has beaten a defender with a feint or a burst counts double.
  3. Restart with a pass after each goal.
  4. Rotate players every few minutes so everyone gets to attack.
What to look for
  • Players trying to beat a defender before they shoot
  • Players taking the ball at defenders with pace
Easier

Every goal counts one, and you call out each beat.

Harder

Only goals after a beat count.

Ask: Who beat their player?

Go deeper

Optional. The detail behind the three coaching points, for when you want more. Starting points for a coach to adjust, not rules.

Beating a defender

Show it, change pace, and go past.

Most useful in stages 2, 3, 4.

What good looks like

  • Pretend to go one way with a lean or a small touch.
  • Then a big touch past the other side.
  • Speed up after the move. The change of pace does most of the work.

If you see this, try this

  • Slows down for the trick and stays slowThe first step after the move is a big touch and a sprint.
  • Dribbles straight into the defenderShow the move a few steps before the defender.

More detail

  • Start with a defender who walks. Make it a real defender only when most players succeed.
  • Let every player have a go at both sides.

Ask the players

  • Which way did you pretend to go?

Change it

Easier: A cone instead of a defender, then a defender who walks.

Harder: A defender who jogs, then plays normally.

Shooting: when and where

Look at the goal, pick a spot, and shoot while you have the chance.

Most useful in stages 4, 5.

What good looks like

  • Look at the goal, and the goalkeeper, before you shoot.
  • Pick a corner. Low and away from the goalkeeper is hard to save.
  • Shoot early, before the defender closes you down.
  • Follow the shot in for a rebound.

If you see this, try this

  • Waits too long and the shot is blockedIf there is space and a goal, shoot.
  • Always shoots at the goalkeeperPick a corner and look at it before you strike.

More detail

  • Control the ball or shoot first time? Both are right at times. Ask the player to decide.
  • Disguise: look one way and shoot the other. It helps the shot surprise the goalkeeper.

Ask the players

  • Why did you shoot there?

Change it

Easier: Closer to goal, with no defender.

Harder: A closing defender, or a goalkeeper.

Up next: week 2 of 6The hip dropFree

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