All sessions About, safety and notes Goalside Plus Account
U7 · Dribble to score block · Week 4 of 6 · Revisit
Back to the line
Line Dribble to start, change gear, a speed challenge, pace duel, a 2v1 with a chaser, 3v3 and a quick restart.
- 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
ArriveLine Dribble while you set up (8 min)
Change gearTechnical · three gears (10 min)
Gear ladderChallenge · climb the speed ladder (8 min)
Pace duelOpposed · change pace on a defender (8 min)
2v1 attackFamiliar game · a chaser joins (8 min)
Chase back3v3 · chase back after a beat (14 min)
810888144
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?
| 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
Line Dribble while you set up
8 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: change pace on the way.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: Where did you speed up?
2Change gear
Technical · three gears
10 min
SlowBurst
Kit2 linesA ball each
Three gears: walking, jogging and running. Change up one gear every few touches. Which gear fools a defender most?
Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.
Ask: Which gear did you use most?
3Gear ladder
Challenge · climb the speed ladder
8 min
Faster
Kit8 cones, a line of 4 for each childA ball each
Each child has a line of four cones. Go faster at each cone: walk, jog, run, sprint. Do it without losing the ball. Then try again. No timer.
Easier: three gears. Harder: weaker foot only.
Ask: How fast could you go?
4Pace duel
Opposed · change pace on a defender
8 min
ApproachShow itBurst
KitA ball per pairBibs for the defenders1 line or 2 cones
1v1. The attacker dribbles slowly at the defender. When the defender relaxes or gets close, burst. Swap after each go.
Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.
Ask: When did you burst?
52v1 attack
Familiar game · a chaser joins
8 min
DribblePassShoot
Kit1 small goalA ball per groupBibs for the defenders
2v1 attack from week 1. Today the beaten defender may chase back for a few seconds.
Keep calling the same three points: change pace, show it and look to score.
Ask: Did the chaser catch you?
6Chase back
3v3 · chase back after a beat
14 min
ApproachShow itBurst
Kit2 small goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours
3v3, a goal at each end. When a player is beaten, they chase back and win it back within a few seconds. No tackling from behind.
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 chased back?
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 4, 5, 6.
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.
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.