All sessions About, safety and notes Goalside Plus Account
U8 · Pass and receive block · Week 2 of 6 · New games
Touch away
1v1 Duel to start, touch away, gate passes, three keep from one, pass to score again and a pass-count match.
- 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
Arrive1v1 Duel while you set up (8 min)
Touch awayTechnical · take it away with your first touch (10 min)
Gate passesChallenge · pass through the gate (8 min)
Three from oneOpposed · three keep it from one (8 min)
Pass to scoreFamiliar game · pass to the weaker foot (8 min)
Count matchMatch · five passes before a shot (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
6 conesPlus 2 goals. Use 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
1v1 Duel while you set up
8 min
KitA ballPitch lines
The first two children to arrive play 1v1 with one ball, dribbling over the other's end line. The winner stays on, and a later arrival takes over from the loser.
Winner stays on.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: Who stayed on the longest?
2Touch away
Technical · take it away with your first touch
10 min
PassLookTouch
KitA ball per pair
Take the pass with a soft first touch to the side, away from your imaginary defender, and then pass back. Two touches, in a rhythm.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Which way did your first touch go?
3Gate passes
Challenge · pass through the gate
8 min
PassLookTouch
Kit6 cones, two as a gate for each pairA ball per pair
Pass through the gate between you, to your partner's feet. Count your passes in a row. If one misses the gate, start again. There is no timer.
Easier: a wider gate. Harder: a narrower gate.
Ask: How many passes in a row?
4Three from one
Opposed · three keep it from one
8 min
PassLookTouch
KitA space about 14 by 14 mA ball per groupA bib for the defender
3v1 in a square. The attackers pass and move to give the passer two options. The defender who wins it swaps with the player who lost it.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Who gave the passer two options?
5Pass to score
Familiar game · pass to the weaker foot
8 min
PassLookTouch
Kit1 goalA ball per groupBibs, two colours
Pass to score from week 1. Today the passer plays to the weaker foot of the next player.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Which foot did you pass to?
6Pass-count match
Match · five passes before a shot
14 min
PassLookTouch
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
5v5. A team must make five passes before it can shoot. Rotate the goalkeeper every three minutes. Count the passes aloud.
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: How many passes did you make?
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.
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.
Most useful in stage 2.
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.