Growing Hearts

Set up

Minnows line up on one side each with a ball. 1–2 sharks (start with coach) in the middle with no ball.

How it works

Minnows dribble from one safe line to the other without the shark kicking their ball out. If your ball is knocked out you become a shark too (but you keep moving — no sitting out).

Coaching points

• •Protect the ball — keep it on the far side from the shark.
• •Change speed and direction to escape.
• •Use a move to beat the shark.

Make it harder

• •Add more sharks as rounds go.
• •Sharks can use a ball too (must dribble theirs).
• •Add a 'lily pad' safe zone in the middle.

Set up

A small field with TWO small goals to attack for each team (placed wide). No keepers.

How it works

Normal play but each team can score in either of their two goals. Having two goals naturally spreads the swarm and rewards looking up and switching direction.

Coaching points

• •Look up — which goal is open?
• •Dribble toward space, not into the crowd.
• •Celebrate every goal and every good try.

Make it harder

• •Move goals to change the spaces.
• •One-touch finish to score.
• •Add a 'pass before you score' rule for older kids.

Set up

Four players around a small box/circle, one defender in the middle.

How it works

Outside players keep the ball away from the defender with quick passing. If the defender wins it or it leaves the area, the player responsible goes in the middle.

Coaching points

• •Scan before you receive — know your next pass.
• •Open your body; receive on the back foot to play forward.
• •Sharp, accurate passes to the correct foot; move after you pass.
• •Use one/two touches max to keep it quick.

Make it harder

• •Limit to two touches, then one touch.
• •4v2 to increase pressure.
• •Add a rule: a 'split' pass through the defender's legs = 2 points.

Set up

A channel with a goal at each end. One attacker, one defender, coach feeds the ball.

How it works

Coach passes to the attacker; they try to beat the defender 1v1 and score. Defender tries to win it and counter to the other goal. Rotate quickly, lots of reps.

Coaching points

• •Attack the defender at speed; commit to a move.
• •Change of pace to burst past after the move.
• •Defender: close fast, slow down, stay patient, show them one side.

Make it harder

• •Start defender closer / further to change difficulty.
• •Add a recovery defender (1v1 becomes a race).
• •Make it 2v1 or 2v2.

Set up

Middle player between two servers. A cone (or passive defender) marks pressure from behind.

How it works

Server plays into the middle player who scans, takes an open first touch on the half-turn, and plays forward to the other server. Work both directions, both feet.

Coaching points

• •Check shoulder before the ball arrives.
• •Open the hips; first touch out of the feet into space.
• •Quality forward pass to the correct foot.

Make it harder

• •Make the defender active (passive → live).
• •Two-touch limit, then one-touch lay-offs.
• •Add a second option so the middle player must decide.

Set up

Two feeding lines at the top of the box. A keeper in goal.

How it works

Players take a positive first touch and finish; alternate lines and types of finish (side-foot placement, laces, off a cutback). High reps, quick tempo, count team goals.

Coaching points

• •Eyes on the ball at contact; head steady.
• •Side-foot to place, laces to drive — pick the right one.
• •Hit the corners, keep it low.
• •Follow your shot for the rebound.

Make it harder

• •Finish first-time off a pass / cutback.
• •Add a defender closing down.
• •1v1 vs keeper off a through ball.

Set up

A right-sized pitch with goals. Add 1–2 neutral players who always join the team in possession (creates a 5v4 / 6v5 overload).

How it works

Play a normal game; the overload makes keeping the ball and finding the free player the path to success. Add a constraint to reward the day's theme.

Coaching points

• •Find the free player created by the overload.
• •Spread out to use the whole field — width and depth.
• •Quick decisions: the picture changes fast.

Make it harder

• •Goal counts double after 5+ passes, or after a 1v1 dribble.
• •Reduce touches to speed up decisions.
• •Remove the overload to make it even and harder.

Set up

Standard SSG, but whenever a goal is scored or the ball goes out, a new ball is served immediately from a goal, flipping who attacks.

How it works

Fast, continuous game emphasizing the moment the ball is won or lost. Teams must react instantly — counter-attack when they win it, recover shape when they lose it.

Coaching points

• •Win it → attack fast before they're set.
• •Lose it → react immediately (counter-press or recover).
• •First 5 seconds after a turnover decide the moment.

Make it harder

• •Limit the counter to a time window (e.g. score within 8 seconds).
• •Reward fast breaks with bonus points.
• •Add a numerical advantage to the counter-attacking team.

Set up

Players in pairs along a line of cones ~6–10 paces apart.

How it works

A structured dynamic routine: running and dynamic stretches, then strength/balance/agility (e.g. planks, single-leg balance, hops, controlled landings), then sharper running. An injury-prevention staple shown to reduce youth injuries.

Coaching points

• •Quality of movement over speed — controlled, aligned knees.
• •Soft landings, no knee collapse — train good mechanics.
• •Build intensity gradually toward match pace.

Make it harder

• •Add a ball to the later running stages.
• •Progress the strength holds and hop complexity over weeks.
• •Let players lead it to build ownership.