Warm-up: Pass and Move
Organisation
- Create an inner and outer circle, with players opposite a partner
- The circles can be big or small depending on ability and weather conditions
- Make sure players have a go in both the inner and outer circle
- Build up the difficulty of how they transfer the ball between them
Ways to make the exercise easier
- Keep the distances between players short
Ways to make the exercise harder
- Increase the distance
- Make the players pass the ball by foot rather than by hand
- Ask the players to find different ways to pass the ball
- Make it a race – the first player to complete ten passes is the winner
Great questions to ask the children
- Can you show me different ways to throw and catch the ball?
- Can you show your partner how to do it?
- Can you show me different ways to move between passes?
Safety tips
Players should keep their heads up as much as possible to avoid collisions
Skill development: 1v1 and 2v2
Organisation
- Start with four players per pitch and vary 1v1 matches
- Increase to 2v2 and add more goals
- Rotate players so that they play against other teams
Ways to make the exercise easier
- Make the goals bigger
Ways to make the exercise harder
- Encourage each player to dribble past his/her opponent before scoring
Great questions to ask the children
- How can you make it difficult for your opponent?
- Can you show me how you can dribble past your opponent at speed?
- Can you be patient when you try to win the ball as a defender?
- Are you aware of the empty goals or the space when we increase to a bigger pitch and more goals?
Safety tips
- Create a safe zone between each pitch
- Ensure children have a rest between each turn
Game application: 3v3, find the target player
Organisation
- Equal teams with an "outside target player" at one end
- Outside targets can move along the line at one end
- Make sure all players get the chance to be the target player
- Rotate teams to give varied challenges
Ways to make the exercise easier
- The target player can play inside the playing area
- Give one team extra players
Ways to make the exercise harder
- Limit the number of touches players can have on the ball
- Make a team play with fewer players
- Condition the type of pass into the target player – in the air, on the ground, etc.
Great questions to ask the children
- How can you find space to receive a pass? Show me as a team
- How can you be creative to pass to the target player? Show me
- What can the target player do to help his/her team‑mates?
Safety tips
- Create a safe zone between each pitch