Defending Principles (Session 1) 10-12 mins Organisation Area suitable for group size Ball Each Chance to express themselves Key Points 1st Practice of the day, excited players with plenty of energy Set Challenges Set Conditions for different techniques Progressions Can make the areas smaller Set time challenges Challenge awareness and reaction, eg find another ball in 5 seconds Movement Game 10-12 mins Organisation Area suitable for group size 4 small boxes in the pitch 2 Defenders Key Points Players try to run through boxes Defenders to protect all boxes by tagging Use bib to catch attackers Progressions Can start with more defenders and Challenge by using less Make box size bigger to protect Point system, 1Pt for catching - 1Pt for attacker running through box
Skill First practice of the day, so important to get the players buzzing and ready for the rest of the day. Give them opportunities to express and show off. Challenge, when necessary, recognise the ability of the group at the start and decide what is right for them. Movement Game So important that this is done without the football Working purely on movement of the defenders, side on, approach, timing Give players examples of how to protect and approach a player. If you think the group is very understanding and getting a lot of success, then challenge with footballs and tackling instead of tagging, However, the group should be of high ability that can dribble effectively and can challenge the defenders. If you add footballs give the defenders and an incentive to be positive. E.g. go pass into a mini goal after you win the ball
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
sportplan_football
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.
