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U7 · Dribble to score block · Week 1 of 6 · Introduce

Pace and feint

Copy a Friend to start, change of pace, beat count, 1v1 to goal, 2v1 attack and a 3v3 pace match.

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The session in five lines

  1. ArriveCopy a Friend while you set up (8 min)
  2. Change paceTechnical · slow, then burst (10 min)
  3. Beat countChallenge · how many beats? (8 min)
  4. 1v1 to goalOpposed · beat and shoot (8 min)
  5. 2v1 attackOpposed · dribble or pass? (8 min)
  6. Pace match3v3 · a beat is worth double (14 min)

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.
6 ballsOne per child for the first games, one per group after that.
BibsTwo colours for the two teams. Plus one for a defender.
Different numbers?
PlayersGroupsWho plays
61Two teams of three on one small pitch, with the other adult helping
724 and 3, one adult with each; one player rotates out each game
824 and 4, each as 2v2 plus a rotating player
93Three teams of three on a carousel
1025 and 5, each group as 3v2 plus a rotating player
1126 and 5, with rotating players
122Two pitches of 3v3

No more than six children per adult. Stage 6 is a 3v3 carousel on up to four small pitches, so nobody waits. Every child plays about the same time.

Arrive

Copy a Friend while you set up

8 min

KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones

As each child arrives, they take a ball, pick a friend and copy what the friend does. Then pick a new friend. There is no leader.

While the children play, set up the area for the next game.

Ask: What did your friend do that you liked?

Change of pace

Technical · slow, then burst

10 min

Kit2 linesA ball each

Dribble slowly toward a pretend defender, then take a big touch and burst away. The defender cannot tell when the burst is coming. Show it once, then let them play.

Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.

Ask: When did you burst?

Beat count

Challenge · how many beats?

8 min

KitA ball per pairBibs for the defenders1 line or 2 cones

Attacker against a soft defender, who stands side-on with arms down. Beat them with a feint and a burst, then swap roles. Count how many you beat in a row. No timer.

Easier: the defender is a cone. Harder: the defender may step toward the attacker.

Ask: How many did you beat in a row?

1v1 to goal

Opposed · beat and shoot

8 min

Kit1 small goalA ball per pairBibs for the defenders

1v1 with a goal. The defender closes down, but must stay on their feet. The attacker beats them and shoots as soon as there is space. The winner stays on and a new child swaps in.

SafetyBalls only go toward the goal. Keep the area behind and beside it clear, and ask children to wait while others fetch.

Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.

Ask: When did you shoot?

2v1 attack

Opposed · dribble or pass?

8 min

Kit1 small goalA ball per groupBibs for the defenders

2v1 with a goal. The ball carrier dribbles at the defender. If the defender stays with the dribbler, pass to the free teammate. If not, keep going and shoot.

SafetyBalls only go toward the goal. Keep the area behind and beside it clear, and ask children to wait while others fetch.

Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.

Ask: Dribble or pass, which was on?

Pace match

3v3 · a beat is worth double

14 min

Kit2 small goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours

3v3, a goal at each end, no goalkeepers. A goal scored after a player has beaten a defender with a feint or burst counts double. Rotate players to give everyone a go at the front.

SafetyBalls only go toward the goal. Keep the area behind and beside it clear, and ask children to wait while others fetch.

Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.

Ask: Who beat their player?

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.

Beating a defender

Show it, change pace, and go past.

Most useful in stages 2, 3, 4.

What good looks like

  • Pretend to go one way with a lean or a small touch.
  • Then a big touch past the other side.
  • Speed up after the move. The change of pace does most of the work.

If you see this, try this

  • Slows down for the trick and stays slowThe first step after the move is a big touch and a sprint.
  • Dribbles straight into the defenderShow the move a few steps before the defender.

More detail

  • Start with a defender who walks. Make it a real defender only when most players succeed.
  • Let every child have a go at both sides.

Ask the players

  • Which way did you pretend to go?

Change it

Easier: A cone instead of a defender, then a defender who walks.

Harder: A defender who jogs, then plays normally.

Shooting: when and where

Look at the goal, pick a spot, and shoot while you have the chance.

Most useful in stages 4, 5.

What good looks like

  • Look at the goal, and the goalkeeper, before you shoot.
  • Pick a corner. Low and away from the goalkeeper is hard to save.
  • Shoot early, before the defender closes you down.
  • Follow the shot in for a rebound.

If you see this, try this

  • Waits too long and the shot is blockedIf there is space and a goal, shoot.
  • Always shoots at the goalkeeperPick a corner and look at it before you strike.

More detail

  • Control the ball or shoot first time? Both are right at times. Ask the player to decide.
  • Disguise: look one way and shoot the other. It helps the shot surprise the goalkeeper.

Ask the players

  • Why did you shoot there?

Change it

Easier: Closer to goal, with no defender.

Harder: A closing defender, or a goalkeeper.

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Draft 1. The positions in the diagrams are estimates.