All sessions About, safety and notes Goalside Plus Account
U8 · Pass and receive block · Week 4 of 6 · Revisit
Stroll passing
Friend Passing to start, stroll passing, the eyes-up triangle again, two ends, keep from one again and a five-a-side.
- 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
ArriveFriend Passing while you set up (8 min)
Stroll passTechnical · pass while walking (10 min)
Eyes-up threeFamiliar game · two touches (8 min)
Turn roundOpposed · attack, then turn round (8 min)
Keep from oneFamiliar game · a bigger square (8 min)
Five rotateMatch · rotate roles every three minutes (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
4 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
Friend Passing while you set up
8 min
KitA ball per pair
As the first two children arrive, they take a ball, stand about three metres apart and push the ball to each other's feet.
The twist: move apart one step each time you make five passes.
While the children play, set up the area for the next game.
Ask: How far apart did you get?
2Stroll passing
Technical · pass while walking
10 min
PassLookTouch
KitA ball per pair4 cones for the corners of the area
Pairs walk side by side down the pitch and pass as they go. Look at your partner before you pass. Receive with a soft touch and keep walking.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Did you look before you passed?
3Eyes-up triangle
Familiar game · two touches
8 min
PassLookTouch
KitA ball per group
The eyes-up triangle from week 1. Today use two touches: one to control, one to pass.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: How many passes in a row?
4Turn and attack
Opposed · attack, then turn round
8 min
PassLookTouch
Kit2 goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours
2v1 with a goal at each end. Attack one goal. When the attack is over, turn round and attack the other goal against the next defender. Look to see where the defender is, then pass and move.
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: Where was the free space?
5Keep from one
Familiar game · a bigger square
8 min
PassLookTouch
KitA space about 12 by 12 mA ball per groupA bib for the defender
Keep from one from week 1. Today the square is bigger, so the pass must be longer.
Keep calling the same three points: pass to feet, eyes up and soft first touch.
Ask: Who made a long pass?
6Five rotate
Match · rotate roles every three minutes
14 min
PassLookTouch
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
5v5. Every three minutes call rotate: the goalkeeper changes and one outfield player swaps team. Watch who 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.
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.