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U7 · Dribble to score block · Week 5 of 6 · Challenge
Pick your move
Free Play Corner to start, pick your move, a beat tally, 1v1 bonus game, 2v1 attack and a 3v3 choice 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
ArriveFree Play Corner while you set up (8 min)
Pick your moveCreative · choose your beat (10 min)
Beat tallyChallenge · tally your beats (8 min)
Bonus 1v1Opposed · bonus for the best beat (8 min)
Wide 3v2Opposed · three attackers, use the width (8 min)
Choice match3v3 · you choose the bonus (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
Free Play Corner while you set up
8 min
KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones
Put balls and bibs out, and cones in a bag if they want them. Children invent their own games. The one rule: everyone gets a touch. Ask them to beat a defender in their game.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: What is your game called?
2Pick your move
Creative · choose your beat
10 min
KitA ball each
Ask each child to choose their own way to beat a defender and show a friend. Then a friend picks a move from the group to try.
The coach asks, not tellsDo not give a right answer. Ask: what is your move? When do you use it?
Ask: Can you show me your move?
3Beat tally
Challenge · tally your beats
8 min
ApproachShow itBurst
KitA ball per pairBibs for the defenders1 line or 2 cones
Beat a soft defender with any move, and tally it. How many different moves did you use? There is no timer.
Easier: the defender is a cone. Harder: the defender is active.
Ask: How many moves did you use?
4Bonus 1v1
Opposed · bonus for the best beat
8 min
ApproachBeatShoot
Kit1 small goalA ball per pairBibs for the defenders
1v1 to goal. A goal after a good beat, one the defender could not stop, scores a bonus. The coach decides after each go.
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: What made it a good beat?
5Wide 3v2
Opposed · three attackers, use the width
8 min
DribblePassShoot
Kit1 small goalA ball per groupBibs for the defenders
3v2 with a goal. The ball carrier dribbles at the defenders. Pass wide if both defenders come, and keep going if they do not.
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 space?
6Choice match
3v3 · you choose the bonus
14 min
ApproachShow itBurst
Kit2 small goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours
3v3. Each team picks its own bonus condition, either a goal after a beat or a goal after a burst, and tells the other team. Play, then swap.
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: Which bonus did you pick?
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.
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.