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U6 · Both feet, all surfaces block · Week 1 of 6 · Introduce
Inside and outside
Touch Counter to start, inside and outside, the sole shuffle, a surface ladder, a friendly ghost, pick a surface and free play.
- Every partUse the inside, outside, sole and laces of the foot.
- Both feetUse your weaker foot as much as your stronger foot.
- Quick feetSmall, quick touches keep the ball close.
The session in five lines
ArriveTouch Counter while you set up (7 min)
In and outTechnical · inside, outside, inside, outside (7 min)
Sole shuffleTechnical · roll it with the sole (7 min)
Surface ladderChallenge · climb the ladder (7 min)
Friendly ghostChase game · keep clear of the ghost (7 min)
Pick a surfaceGame · cone by cone (7 min)
Free playBalls 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
12 conesFor gates, zones and lines. 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. With one adult and more than six children, ask a parent to take the second group. Stages are short on purpose: young children change activity every six or seven minutes.
1Arrive
Touch Counter while you set up
7 min
KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones
As each child arrives, they take a ball and count how many touches they can make in a row without the ball going more than a stride away.
Remember your count. You will beat it in week 6. The coach writes the numbers down.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: What was your count?
2Inside and outside
Technical · inside, outside, inside, outside
7 min
KitA ball each
Dribble while you touch the ball with the inside of the foot, then the outside, then the inside, in turn. Do it with one foot, then swap feet. Show it once, then let them play.
Keep calling the same three points: every part, both feet and quick feet.
Ask: Which part of your foot was easier?
3Sole shuffle
Technical · roll it with the sole
7 min
KitA ball each
Put the sole on top of the ball and roll it forward and back, then slide it sideways. Do it with each foot. Slowly at first, then quicker.
Ask: How many rolls could you do?
4Surface ladder
Challenge · climb the ladder
7 min
Kit12 cones, a line of 4 for each childA ball each
Each child has a line of four cones. At the first cone use the inside, then the outside, then the sole, then the laces. How far up the ladder can you go without losing the ball? Then do it again with the other foot. There is no timer.
Easier: use fewer surfaces. Harder: weaker foot only.
Ask: Which step was hardest?
5Friendly ghost
Chase game · keep clear of the ghost
7 min
KitA ball eachA bib for the adult
You are a friendly ghost, floating slowly with arms down. Children dribble and keep their ball away from the ghost, using quick touches and every part of the foot. The ghost never touches anyone.
Keep calling the same three points: every part, both feet and quick feet.
Ask: Which part of your foot kept the ball away?
6Pick a surface
Game · cone by cone
7 min
Kit4 cones for the corners of the areaA ball each
Four cones. At each cone, choose a new part of the foot to dribble to the next one. Say its name as you go: inside, outside, sole or laces.
Ask: Which part did you pick?
7Free play
Balls out · no score
12 min
KitA ball each
Balls out. Let the children play and invent. Everyone gets a touch, nobody keeps a score.
Keep calling the same three points: every part, both feet and quick feet.
Ask: Which foot did you use most?
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, 5, 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.