
YOUNGER GROUPS Players are encouraged to STEAL a ball then KEEP IT for as long as they can. Some players have a ball, others that don't have a ball try and STEAL a ball from anyone else then look to keep it. If you have a ball when coach STOPS the game, you score a point. Players sould be encouraged to maintain control. If they lose control by bumping into other players or go out of the area, this becomes a FREE BALL that needs to be passed onto someone without a ball. NB: number of footballs dependent upon number of players and outcomes you hope to achieve. More balls allow opportunities to manipulate the ball, taking balls away encourages players to use individual possession skills under pressure Progression Ideas: Scoring system, point for each game. ADD MAGIC PLAYER; allowed to move around to help players keep their ball by passing. If you pass to Magic player they will and return pass back to the same player.
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.