All sessions About, safety and notes Goalside Plus Account
U7 · Dribble to score block · Week 2 of 6 · New games
The hip drop
Stop It Dead to start, the hip drop, ten beats, a wide 2v1, the change of pace again and a 3v3 gate match.
- Change paceSlow down, then burst past the defender.
- Show itShow the ball one way, then go the other.
- Look to scoreLook up and shoot when you see the goal.
The session in five lines
ArriveStop It Dead while you set up (8 min)
Hip dropTechnical · drop a shoulder, go the other way (10 min)
Ten beatsChallenge · ten beats (8 min)
Wide 2v1Opposed · use the width (8 min)
Change paceFamiliar game · with a feint (8 min)
Gate match3v3 · score through a gate (14 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
9 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?
| Players | Groups | Who plays |
|---|
| 6 | 1 | Two teams of three on one small pitch, with the other adult helping |
| 7 | 2 | 4 and 3, one adult with each; one player rotates out each game |
| 8 | 2 | 4 and 4, each as 2v2 plus a rotating player |
| 9 | 3 | Three teams of three on a carousel |
| 10 | 2 | 5 and 5, each group as 3v2 plus a rotating player |
| 11 | 2 | 6 and 5, with rotating players |
| 12 | 2 | Two 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.
1Arrive
Stop It Dead while you set up
8 min
KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones
As each child arrives, they take a ball and dribble anywhere. Each time you pass another child, stop your ball dead under the sole, then go again.
The twist: after the stop, burst into a free space.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: Where did you burst to?
2Hip drop
Technical · drop a shoulder, go the other way
10 min
ApproachShow itBurst
Kit9 cones, a line of 3 for each childA ball each
Three cones in each lane. Drop a shoulder one way, then go the other, and burst. Then do it with the other shoulder.
Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.
Ask: Which shoulder did you drop?
3Ten beats
Challenge · ten beats
8 min
ApproachShow itBurst
KitA ball per pairBibs for the defenders1 line or 2 cones
Count how many defenders you beat in a row, up to ten. If the defender wins the ball or the ball goes out, start again at one. No timer.
Easier: the defender walks. Harder: the defender jogs.
Ask: How many did you get?
4Wide 2v1
Opposed · use the width
8 min
DribblePassShoot
Kit1 small goalA ball per groupBibs for the defenders
2v1 with a goal. One attacker stays wide, the other dribbles in the middle. If the defender goes wide, dribble and shoot. If not, pass wide.
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: Where was the defender looking?
5Change of pace
Familiar game · with a feint
8 min
SlowBurst
Kit2 linesA ball each
Change of pace from week 1. Today add a feint before the burst: show the ball one way, then burst.
Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.
Ask: What was your feint?
6Gate match
3v3 · score through a gate
14 min
ApproachShow itBurst
Kit2 small goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours2 cones as the halfway gate
3v3, a goal at each end. A goal counts double if a player has dribbled through the halfway gate first. Rotate so everyone gets to attack.
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 dribbled through the gate?
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, 5.
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 stage 4.
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
Change it
Easier: Closer to goal, with no defender.
Harder: A closing defender, or a goalkeeper.