
U4/U5 Split the players into 2 teams and divide an appropriate area into 2 halves or 'gardens'. Position any parents or helpers around the pitch. Distribute as many balls as you have into the area and when you say 'go' each team has to clear their garden! Encourage all the time and make sure that they don't all go to the halfway line. Get helpers to feed back in any loose balls. Progressions: Start a countdown (10 secs) Only right / left kicking Children vs coaches / parents (let them win - maybe)
Awareness of others Receiving the ball General kicking Control and receiving the ball
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
Set pieces account for roughly a third of all goals in football, yet many coaches spend surprisingly little time coaching defensive organisation at corners and free kicks. This article compares zonal and man marking systems, explores hybrid approaches, and provides a practical session structure for building set piece resilience into your team.
A player's first touch determines everything that follows: whether they can play forward, turn, or simply retain the ball. This article explores why training first touch in isolation is not enough, and how to design sessions that develop this critical skill under realistic game pressure.
The coaching methodology revolution sweeping grassroots football - and how to implement it at your club this season.