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U10 · Passing block · Week 5 of 6 · Challenge
Three teams
Two teams keep it against a third. Freeze the game, ask what they see, and let the players choose the rules.
- SeeDefenders, team-mates and space.
- ChoosePick the pass you think is best.
- ExplainSay why. There is often more than one good answer.
The session in five lines
ArriveFree Play Corner while you set up (8 min)
Three teamsTwo teams keep it, one defends. Swap when they win it. (10 min)
Freeze and askStop the game. What is the best pass, and why? (10 min)
Your challengePlayers choose a rule. First team to 5 points. (12 min)
Your matchPlayers choose the passing condition. (15 min)
8101012155
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. 2 ballsOne for the game. Plus the match ball. BibsThree colours, for two teams and goalkeepers.
Different numbers?
| Players | Three teams | Who defends |
|---|
| 6 | 2 + 2 + 2 | One team of 2 defends |
| 7 | 3 + 2 + 2 | The smaller team defends first |
| 8 | 3 + 3 + 2 | The team of 2 defends first |
| 9 | 3 + 3 + 3 | Any team |
| 10 | 4 + 3 + 3 | A team of 3 defends first |
| 11 | 4 + 4 + 3 | The team of 3 defends first |
| 12 | 4 + 4 + 4 | Any team |
The keepers should outnumber the defenders, so the defending team stays the smallest. Use a 20 metre by 20 metre area marked with four cones.
1Arrive
Free Play Corner while you set up
8 min
KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones
Put balls and bibs out, and cones in a bag if they want them. Children invent their own games. The one rule: everyone gets a touch.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: What did you use from the last four weeks?
2Three teams
Possession game · two teams keep it, one defends
10 min
Kit4 conesA ballBibs, three colours
Make an area about 20 metres square with four cones. Three teams, three colours. Two teams work together to keep the ball against the third. Every pass counts, whichever of the two keeper teams makes it. If the defenders win the ball, the team that lost it swaps into the defending role.
Keep it simple: there are always two teams keeping it and one team defending. The coach keeps count of passes, or lets a player do it.
The keepers outnumber the defendersIf the defenders win it every time, make the area bigger or make the defending team smaller.
Ask: Which team is defending now?
3Freeze and ask
Stop the three-team game and ask
10 min
Situation Tap a pass to see it.
KitNo kit needed
While the children play the three-team game, shout freeze! when you see a clear picture. The board shows two pictures you might freeze. Red are defending, blue and yellow are keeping it. Ask: what is the best pass here, and why? Let two or three players answer before you say anything. There is often more than one good answer, so the reason matters more than the choice.
Tap through the three passes on the board to see what the coach might say. Then restart the game and look for the same picture again.
Coaching points
- See
- Defenders, team-mates and space.
- Choose
- Pick the pass you think is best.
- Explain
- Say why. Listen to the answers before you give yours.
Ask: What can you see?
4Your challenge
Three teams · players choose a rule · first to 5
12 min
Pick a rule for the keepers
KitThe same 4 conesA ballBibs, three colours
Play the three-team game with a rule the players chose, or one dealt at random. Keepers score a point for each ten passes in a row, and the defenders score a point each time they win the ball. The first team to five points wins the round. Then pick a new rule and go again.
Keep calling the same three points: see, choose, explain.
Ask: Which rule made it harder, and why?
5Your match
Players choose the passing condition
15 min
Pick a rule
Pick the condition
KitMatch ballBibs, two colours2 goals
Move into a match and play for 15 minutes. The players choose the passing condition, and the coach checks it is clear before kick-off. After five minutes, and again at the end, ask whether the rule helped and whether they would change it.
Coaching points throughout: see, choose, explain.
Ask: Which rule changed how you played?
Go deeper
Optional. The detail behind the three coaching points, for when you want more. Draft 1: starting points for a coach to adjust, not rules.
Look before you receive
Know where the defenders, teammates and space are before the ball arrives.
Most useful in stage 5.
What good looks like
- Scan teammates and opponents before the ball arrives, ideally twice.
- Check your shoulder on the side the pressure is coming from.
- Decide the next action before the ball arrives.
If you see this, try this
- Scans too late to use itStart the scan as the ball is on its way.
- Scans, but the body is square to the passerOpen the body so you can see the whole pitch.
More detail
- FA guidance for 7 to 11s: scan before receiving, looking at teammates and opponents.
Ask the players
- What did you see before you received it?
Change it
Easier: Fewer players, more space.
Harder: More defenders, less time.
Passing: weight and direction
The pass should arrive at a speed the receiver can control, on the side away from pressure.
Most useful in stages 3, 4, 5.
What good looks like
- Weight: the receiver can control it without breaking stride.
- Direction: to the receiver's back foot, the foot furthest from you, on the side away from the nearest defender.
- Move the ball out of your feet first, to create the angle for a longer pass.
If you see this, try this
- Too hard, and the receiver's touch bounces awaySofter, or earlier, so the receiver is not rushed.
- Too soft, and a defender steps inFirmer, and look at the defender before you pass.
More detail
- Longer passes need a bigger swing and a good strike through the middle of the ball. They also need a good first touch to match.
- Scan before the ball arrives, then choose the pass. There is often more than one good answer.
Ask the players
- Why that pass? What else was on?
Change it
Easier: More space and time on the ball.
Harder: Reduce the space, or add a defender who tries to intercept.