All sessions About, safety and notes Goalside Plus Account
U9 · Pass and move block · Week 1 of 6 · Introduce
Corner follow
Pass and Move Pair to start, corner follow, a pattern count, move to keep, a move-or-lose-it game and a pass-and-move match.
- Pass, then moveAfter you pass, move to a new space straight away.
- Pass with weightPass firmly enough to arrive, softly enough to control.
- Know the next oneKnow who you will pass to next before the ball arrives.
The session in five lines
ArrivePass and Move Pair while you set up (8 min)
Pass, followTechnical · pass, then follow your pass (12 min)
Pattern countChallenge · count your pattern (8 min)
Move to keepOpposed · move to keep the ball (12 min)
Move matchMatch · five-a-side, pass and move (15 min)
812812155
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 | One group of six: 3v3 |
| 7 | 2 | 4 and 3 |
| 8 | 2 | 4 and 4 |
| 9 | 2 | 5 and 4 |
| 10 | 2 | 5 and 5 |
| 11 | 2 | 6 and 5 |
| 12 | 2 | 6 and 6 |
No more than eight players per adult. With nine or more, make a third group rather than leaving players waiting.
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, 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?
2Corner follow
Technical · pass, then follow your pass
12 min
PassMoveNext one
Kit4 cones for the corners of the areaA ball per group
Four in a square. Pass to the next corner, then follow your pass and take their spot. Go clockwise, then anticlockwise. Keep it moving.
Keep calling the same three points: pass, then move; pass with weight; know the next one.
Ask: Where did you go after passing?
3Pattern count
Challenge · count your pattern
8 min
PassMoveNext one
KitA ball per group
Groups of three. Pass, then move to the next spot. Count how many laps you complete. There is no timer.
Keep calling the same three points: pass, then move; pass with weight; know the next one.
Ask: How many laps did you count?
4Move to keep
Opposed · move to keep the ball
12 min
PassMoveNext one
KitA space about 16 by 16 mA ball per groupBibs, two colours
4v1 in a square. The attackers pass and move after every pass. If the defender wins it, the player who lost it swaps in.
Keep calling the same three points: pass, then move; pass with weight; know the next one.
Ask: Who moved after their pass?
5Move match
Match · five-a-side, pass and move
15 min
PassMoveNext one
Kit2 goalsBibs, three coloursA ball
5v5, with goalkeepers. A goal only counts if the scorer passed and moved earlier in the move. Rotate the goalkeeper every three minutes.
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, then move; pass with weight; know the next one.
Ask: Who passed and moved?
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.
Being an option
Give the player with the ball a pass to play and a clear line.
What good looks like
- Stand where the passer can see you, with a clear line that no defender is in.
- Open your body to the ball so you can receive facing the pitch.
- After you pass, move to a new space straight away.
If you see this, try this
- Hides behind a defenderMove sideways until there is a clear line to the ball.
- Stands still after passingPass, then move: the next pass should be easy.
More detail
- Triangles make passing easy: three players with a short pass available on each side.
- Be an option ahead of the ball and an option behind it, so the passer always has two choices.
Ask the players
- Could the passer see you? Was there a clear line?
Change it
Easier: Fewer defenders, or a bigger area.
Harder: A smaller area, or defenders who press the passer.
Passing: weight and direction
The pass should arrive at a speed the receiver can control, on the side away from pressure.
Most useful in stages 4, 5.
What good looks like
- Weight: the receiver can control it without breaking stride.
- Direction: to the receiver's back foot, the foot furthest from you, on the side away from the nearest defender.
- Move the ball out of your feet first, to create the angle for a longer pass.
If you see this, try this
- Too hard, and the receiver's touch bounces awaySofter, or earlier, so the receiver is not rushed.
- Too soft, and a defender steps inFirmer, and look at the defender before you pass.
More detail
- Longer passes need a bigger swing and a good strike through the middle of the ball. They also need a good first touch to match.
- Scan before the ball arrives, then choose the pass. There is often more than one good answer.
Ask the players
- Why that pass? What else was on?
Change it
Easier: More space and time on the ball.
Harder: Reduce the space, or add a defender who tries to intercept.
Keeping the ball
Stay close, move after you pass, and always give two options.
What good looks like
- Two touches or fewer, so the ball is safe.
- Move after you pass, to give another option.
- Spread out around the ball, so a defender cannot cover two players.
If you see this, try this
- Holds the ball too longLook before you receive, so the next pass is already planned.
- Everyone bunches togetherSpread out around the ball, so each pass has an angle.
More detail
- Count passes. Make a defender who wins the ball swap in.
- The FA suggests asking for a different type of pass each time to build variety.
Ask the players
- Who was free, and how did you spot it?
Change it
Easier: More players in the group, or a bigger area.
Harder: Fewer touches, a smaller area, or another defender.