Learn and compete

Organisation

• Let the players organise themselves into two teams
• Ask the players to move between the cones in different ways
• Make different cones/colours worth a different number of points
• Encourage the children to keep track of how many points their team wins

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Players begin by walking between the cones 

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Players work in pairs from each side in a relay
• Make the pitch area larger

Great questions to ask the children

• Can your team think of the best way to win the most points?
• In how many different ways can you move between the cones?

Safety tips

• Ask the players to be aware of other players around them – if they touch another player, then they lose a point

Organisation

• Try to have a maximum of six players on each team
• Start with simple tasks and gradually increase the difficulty
• Make it a race, with the winners being the first team to score five goals or to transfer all the balls from the start point to the goal
• Rotate the players each go, so that they swap positions in the line

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Have fewer players on each team

Ways to make the exercise harder

• If the players drop the ball, they have to start again
• Make them use their weaker foot or hand to pass the ball
• Add a goalkeeper from another team

Great questions to ask the children

• Can you show me how you pass carefully to your next team‑mate?
• What is the best technique to make a good pass?
• Can you show me another way to pass the ball?

Safety tips

• Create a safe zone between each pitch

Organisation

• Try to group the players by ability and organise several mini‑pitches so that there are no more than 12 players per pitch
• Rotate players so that they play in each zone
• Rotate teams or create a mini‑tournament

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Players can start by handling the ball before moving on to using their feet
• Make the areas bigger

Ways to make the exercise harder

• The nearest player to the goal can use his or her hands to save shots

Great questions to ask the children

• Can you try to dribble 1v1 when you get the opportunity?
• Can you find a space to receive the ball?
• Can you show me how you can turn with the ball?

 Safety tips

• Create a safe zone between each pitch
• Provide rest opportunities for players