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U6 · Both feet, all surfaces block · Week 4 of 6 · Revisit
Back to the line
Line Dribble to start, scoop and roll, cone tango, a rhythm run, the sleepy dragon again 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
ArriveLine Dribble while you set up (7 min)
Scoop and rollTechnical · scoop it back (7 min)
Cone tangoTechnical · a different surface at each cone (7 min)
Rhythm runChallenge · find the rhythm (7 min)
Friendly ghostFamiliar game · a bigger ghost (7 min)
Cone doorsGame · through the doors with each foot (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
Line Dribble while you set up
7 min
KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones
As each child arrives, they take a ball and dribble to the far line, turn and dribble back.
The twist: use your weaker foot on the way back.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: Which foot was better?
2Scoop and roll
Technical · scoop it back
7 min
KitA ball each
Drag the ball back with the sole, then roll it away with the outside of the other foot. Then do it the other way round. Slowly first.
Keep calling the same three points: every part, both feet and quick feet.
Ask: Which way round was easier?
3Cone tango
Technical · a different surface at each cone
7 min
Kit12 cones, a line of 6 for each childA ball each
Each child has a line of six cones. Switch feet at every cone: right, left, right, left. Use whichever part of the foot is easiest.
Ask: Which cone was the hardest?
4Rhythm run
Challenge · find the rhythm
7 min
DribbleTurn
Kit2 linesA ball each
Left, right, left, right. Count the touches it takes you to get from line to line. Can you get there with fewer touches and keep the rhythm? There is no timer.
Easier: any rhythm. Harder: only the weaker foot for the second leg.
Ask: How many touches did it take?
5Friendly ghost
Familiar game · a bigger ghost
7 min
KitA ball eachA bib for the adult
The friendly ghost from week 1. Today the ghost moves more, and children must switch feet every few touches.
Keep calling the same three points: every part, both feet and quick feet.
Ask: Which foot did you use?
6Cone doors
Game · through the doors with each foot
7 min
Kit8 cones as 4 doorsA ball each
Four doors. Go through one door with the right foot and the next with the left. Look for a free door each time.
Keep calling the same three points: every part, both feet and quick feet.
Ask: Which foot went through more doors?
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: Show me your best move.
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 4, 5, 7.
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.