
Session to encourage individual play and keep the ball for as long as possible. 4 players to a grid, 2 on each team, one player from each team on the outside one inside square. Player in possesion is asked to keep the ball inside the square whilst defender tries to disposses and then keep the ball to themselves. Swap middle players after a short while. PROGRESSIONS: Bring outside players into play. They can be used to pass out if help needed, then play pass back into player in square. Outside players allowed to move around the box. Outside players to stress inside player by taking up a bad possition to encourage inside player to keep ball and have to perform skills/turns to find partner. If pass is made to outside player they come in box with ball inside player moves out. If pass is made outside they come in to make a 2v1.
Encourage individual play. Protect ball Perform turns and skills to move out of danger. Dont get close to outside of pitch turn away from danger. If out side possesion changes to other team. players should be encouraged to keep the ball to themsleves only pass out if in danger and a good passing opportunity is available. If no pass option can you get out of danger by them selves...Turning, skills?
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
Deliberate heading is now out of U11 grassroots matches. Here is how to coach chest, thigh and foot control so your players still win the ball in the air.
Long-range goals doubled at the 2026 World Cup as teams sat deep. Here is how to coach when to shoot from distance, the technique, and the follow-up.
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.