All sessions About, safety and notes Goalside Plus Account
U8 · Pass and receive block · Week 1 of 6 · Introduce
Pass to feet
Pass and Move Pair to start, feet to feet, an eyes-up triangle, keep from one, pass to score and a five-a-side game.
- Pass to feetUse the inside of your foot and pass to your teammate's feet.
- Eyes upLook before the ball arrives, so you know where to go next.
- Soft first touchCushion the ball and take it into space.
The session in five lines
ArrivePass and Move Pair while you set up (8 min)
Feet to feetTechnical · pass to your partner's feet (10 min)
Eyes-up threeChallenge · look, then pass (8 min)
Keep from oneOpposed · two keep it from one (8 min)
Pass to scoreOpposed · pass your way to a goal (8 min)
Five-a-sideMatch · 5v5 with goalkeepers (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
GoalsUse small goals, or two cones for each goal. 5 ballsOne per group, plus a spare. BibsThree colours, for two teams and goalkeepers.
Different numbers?
| Players | Groups | Who plays |
|---|
| 6 | 1 | Two teams of three, with every child taking a turn in goal |
| 7 | 2 | 4 and 3, one adult with each |
| 8 | 2 | 4 and 4 |
| 9 | 2 | 5 and 4 |
| 10 | 1 or 2 | 5v5 on one pitch, or two groups of five |
| 11 | 2 | 6 and 5, with rotating players |
| 12 | 2 | 6 and 6, or two games of 3v3 |
No more than six children per adult. In 5v5 every child takes a turn in goal. Nobody waits: a child who is not playing has a job, such as defender, counter or collector.
1Arrive
Pass and Move Pair while you set up
8 min
KitA ball per pair
As the first children arrive, they pair up with a ball, pass to each other, count their passes in a row and move to a new space after each pass.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: How many passes in a row?
2Feet to feet
Technical · pass to your partner's feet
10 min
PassLookTouch
KitA ball per pair
Pairs, about five metres apart. Pass with the inside of the foot, to your partner's feet, and take the ball under control before you pass it back.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Where did the ball go to your partner?
3Eyes-up triangle
Challenge · look, then pass
8 min
PassLookTouch
KitA ball per group
Groups of three in a triangle. Look at your next teammate before the ball reaches you, then pass. Count how many passes in a row your group can make. There is no timer.
Easier: a bigger triangle. Harder: two touches, then one.
Ask: How many passes did your group make?
4Keep from one
Opposed · two keep it from one
8 min
PassLookTouch
KitA space about 12 by 12 mA ball per groupA bib for the defender
2v1 in a small square. The attackers pass and move so the ball always has a safe passing line. If the defender wins it, swap with the one who lost it.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Where was the safe pass?
5Pass to score
Opposed · pass your way to a goal
8 min
PassLookTouch
Kit1 goalA ball per groupBibs, two colours
3v2 with a goal. The attackers pass and move, and shoot when the pass is on. If the defenders win it, they pass to the coach to restart.
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: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Who was free?
6Five-a-side
Match · 5v5 with goalkeepers
14 min
PassLookTouch
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
5v5, with a goalkeeper each. Rotate the goalkeeper every three minutes so every child gets a turn, and rotate teams so everyone plays the same amount. Watch passes to feet.
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: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Who was the best option?
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.
Passing: the inside-foot pass
Stand beside the ball, strike through the middle, and follow through.
Most useful in stage 3.
What good looks like
- Standing foot beside the ball and pointing at the target.
- The ankle is firm and the strike goes through the middle of the ball.
- Follow through towards the target.
If you see this, try this
- The ball bobbles or liftsHit the middle, keep the ankle firm, and stay over the ball.
- Too hard for the receiverPass to the feet at a speed they can control.
More detail
- Look at the receiver, then the ball, then pass. Think about what the receiver wants to do next.
- Mix the passes: ask for a different pass each time, short and longer.
Ask the players
- Could your teammate control that easily?
Change it
Easier: Shorter passes, and a bigger target.
Harder: A defender who tries to intercept, or a smaller area.
Look before you receive
Know where the defenders, teammates and space are before the ball arrives.
What good looks like
- A quick look before the ball arrives: where are the defenders, teammates and space?
- Look again after the first touch, before the next decision.
If you see this, try this
- Only looks once the ball is at their feetAsk "what did you see?" before the ball comes.
- Looks up but does not use itGive a job: count the defenders, or find the free teammate.
More detail
- Teach it as a habit: look, receive, look, play.
- Players can practise looking in warm-ups, with no ball.
Ask the players
- What did you see before the ball came?
Change it
Easier: No defender, so the look is easy.
Harder: A defender who closes down, so the look must be quick.
Stopping and receiving
Take the ball under control so the next action is easy.
What good looks like
- The foot gives back as the ball arrives, so it does not bounce away.
- The first touch goes where you want to go next, not just anywhere.
- Looks before the ball arrives, so the touch has a plan.
If you see this, try this
- The ball bounces awayRelax the ankle and pull the foot back a little on contact.
- The ball dies, then the player starts againTake it into the space with the first touch.
More detail
- A good first touch is one that makes the next action easy.
- Receive on the move when you can. Standing still gives defenders time.
Ask the players
- Where did your first touch take you? Was that the best space?
Change it
Easier: Softer, slower passes, with no defender.
Harder: Add a defender who closes down once the pass is played.