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U5 · Me and my ball block · Week 4 of 6 · Revisit
Back to the start
Ball Explorers to start, stop fast, roll roll stop, count touches with the weaker foot, race back to the line, slow motion and free play with goals.
- Little touchesKeep the ball close, with a touch every step or two.
- Both feetUse the left foot as much as the right.
- Sole on topTo stop the ball, put the sole of your foot on top of it.
The session in five lines
ArriveBall Explorers. Right foot first, then left. (7 min)
Fast stopDribble fast, stop in one touch. (7 min)
Roll, roll, stopRoll left, roll right, stop. (7 min)
Touch counterCount your touches with the weaker foot. (7 min)
Race backRace to the line, weaker foot only. (7 min)
Slow motionDribble slowly with both feet. (7 min)
Free playBalls and goals out. No score. (12 min)
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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. A ball eachOne for every child, plus a spare, from the bag.
Different numbers?
| Players | Groups | Who plays |
|---|
| 6 | 1 | One group of six with one adult. The other adult helps. |
| 7 | 2 | 4 and 3, one adult with each |
| 8 | 2 | 4 and 4 |
| 9 | 2 | 5 and 4 |
| 10 | 2 | 5 and 5 |
| 11 | 2 | 6 and 5 |
| 12 | 2 | 6 and 6 |
No more than six children per adult. Every child has a ball, so nobody waits for a turn. With one adult and more than six children, ask a parent to take the second group. Stages are short on purpose: five-year-olds change activity every six or seven minutes.
1Arrive
Ball Explorers while you set up
7 min
KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones
As each child arrives, they take a ball and move it anywhere in the area, just like the first week. The twist today: right foot only for the first minute, then left foot only, then both.
While the children play, the second adult sets out the four-cone area beside the pitch for the next game.
Ask: Which foot did you use the most?
2Fast stop
Technical · dribble fast, stop in one touch
7 min
DribbleStopGo
Kit4 cones for the corners of the areaA ball each
Dribble at a good speed with the ball still close. When you say Stop, everyone stops the ball dead under the sole in one touch. Then Go. Praise the quickest stops.
Keep calling the same three points: little touches, both feet, sole on top.
Ask: How did you stop so fast?
3Roll, roll, stop
Technical · roll left, roll right, stop
7 min
RollRollStop
KitA ball each
Roll the ball left under the sole, then right, then stop it still. Roll, roll, stop. Do it with each foot.
Ask: Which foot is easier?
4Touch counter
Challenge · weaker foot only
7 min
Weaker footCount
KitA ball each
Each child counts their touches in a row with the weaker foot only, keeping the ball within a stride. When it escapes, stop it under the sole, say the number and start again. Beat your own best. There is no timer.
Easier: the weaker foot, but the ball can go a little farther.
Ask: Who beat their last number?
5Race back
Chase game · race the other way
7 min
RaceStop on the lineBack
Kit4 cones for the corners of the areaA ball eachA bib for the adult
The same race as week 2, but now in the other direction, and use the weaker foot to stop. Start on the line, race to the far line, stop dead on it, then race back.
Keep calling the same three points: little touches, both feet, sole on top.
Ask: Who stopped on the line with the weaker foot?
6Slow motion
Game · both feet
7 min
KitA ball each
Slow motion again, with a twist: use the left foot and the right foot, and touch the ball every step. The slowest ball wins.
Ask: Did slow motion get easier?
7Free play
Balls and goals out · no score
12 min
KitA ball each2 goals
Balls out and two goals. Dribble, shoot, invent. No teams and no score. Notice the stops.
Look for the three points from today, and say them out loud when you see them.
Ask: Show me your best stop.
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.
Dribbling: close and head up
Keep the ball within a stride and look up between touches.
Most useful in stages 2, 4, 6.
What good looks like
- The ball stays close, with a touch every step or two.
- The head comes up between touches to find space.
- Both feet get used, and different parts of the foot.
If you see this, try this
- Big kicks and the ball runs awayAsk for tiny touches, like tickling the ball.
- Eyes stuck on the ballCall "heads up", hold up some fingers and ask how many.
- Only the strong foot is usedPlay a round with the weaker foot only.
More detail
- Start with the inside of the foot and the sole. Add the outside and the laces later.
- Stopping and starting matter as much as running with the ball.
Ask the players
- Where is the biggest space?
- Which part of your foot kept it closest?
Change it
Easier: Walk first. Use a bigger area, or fewer players moving at once.
Harder: Smaller area, a weaker-foot round, or a defender who only shadows.
Stopping and receiving
Take the ball under control so the next action is easy.
Most useful in stages 2, 3, 4.
What good looks like
- Sole on top of the ball, toes up, and the ball is stopped.
- Knees soft, body ready, eyes on the ball.
If you see this, try this
- The ball bounces off the footAsk for a softer pass, and "give" with the foot like catching an egg.
- A stiff leg reaches for the ballBend the knee and take a small step to it.
More detail
- Sole stop first. As players grow steady, move on to receiving with the inside of the foot.
- Stopping the ball is how a player makes it theirs.
Ask the players
- Was the ball under your foot or did it get away?
Change it
Easier: Roll the ball very slowly, from close.
Harder: Add a second ball to the next player, or receive while walking.