Week 13

Outcomes

• ✓Players can perform all four core moves (scissors, step-over, drag-back, chop) on request
• ✓Players can demonstrate a self-chosen combo move
• ✓Players identify their strongest skill and an area for continued growth
• ✓Players celebrate their development and motivate each other

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 6 pinnies
• 2 small goals
• printed 'skills passport' cards

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Free roam 20×20 yd.

   How to run it: Players choose their favourite move and do it every 15 seconds during free dribble. No coaching – pure expression. Coach watches silently and takes a note on each player.

   • ›Let players feel ownership of their skills
   • ›Favourite move = strongest skill – note it
   • ›Energy should be positive and celebratory

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Partner pairs; free area.

   How to run it: Partners take turns performing a move the other names. Progress through all five (close control, scissors, step-over, drag-back, chop). Switch roles after five calls. Finish with a light jog and full dynamic stretch routine.

   • ›Pace: these should be crisp but relaxed
   • ›Partners give a thumbs up for clean execution
   • ›The recall of all moves is the goal – no hesitation

3. 3. Technical Practice – Skills Passport

   15m

   Set up: Five skill stations around the perimeter of a 25×20 yd grid; one station per core skill.

   How to run it: Players visit each station and perform three clean reps. A 'passport stamp' (sticker or marker check) is awarded at each station by a partner. After five stamps, players demonstrate their personal combo to the group. Coach validates passports at the end.

   • ›Three clean reps, not fast reps
   • ›Partner stamp builds accountability
   • ›Personal combo: this is uniquely yours
   • ›Passport is a record of the quarter – take it home

4. 4. Skill Game – Skills Showcase 2-Minute Solo

   15m

   Set up: Central 20×15 yd showcase space; players take turns with 30-second solo slots.

   How to run it: Each player has 30 seconds to dribble and show as many different moves as possible. Group counts the moves. Encouragement from the sideline is mandatory. Coach provides one positive observation per player.

   • ›Audience: cheering, not critiquing
   • ›Coach: specific praise – 'your scissors is now automatic'
   • ›Variety earns recognition – mix up the moves

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 4v4 Best of Season

   17m

   Set up: 28×22 yd pitch; small goals.

   How to run it: Play a 4v4 game with the rule: the team that uses the most different moves (tracked by their non-playing teammates) wins a bonus point. Normal goals count. Full effort, full expression.

   • ›Move variety is rewarded equally to goals
   • ›Non-players: count and name each move you see
   • ›Both teams aim for at least all five moves in one half

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Static stretches. Coach hands back all skills passports with a written note on each. Group shares: 'My favourite move this quarter is ___ because ___.' Preview Week 13 Session 2: the Quarter Grand Finale.

   • ›Written notes on passports make the review tangible
   • ›The 'because' in the share builds reflective thinking

Outcomes

• ✓Players express all dribbling skills freely in match play
• ✓Players demonstrate confidence and enjoyment in 1v1 situations
• ✓Players celebrate peer achievements and team culture
• ✓Players set a personal goal for Quarter 2

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 10 pinnies
• 4 small goals
• participant ribbons

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Free roam 20×20 yd.

   How to run it: Players arrive and immediately start their favourite free-dribble routine, no instruction. Coach plays upbeat music if available. On the whistle, everyone stops and holds the ball with one hand above their head – celebration stance.

   • ›This is the celebration session – energy is everything
   • ›Coach: be enthusiastic, lead the tone
   • ›Every touch today is a reminder of the journey

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Full group; 25×20 yd area; free-form.

   How to run it: Players choose their own dynamic warm-up moves. Coach says: 'You've been doing this for 13 weeks – warm yourselves up.' After 6 minutes, group performs a synchronised 1-minute ball-mastery routine together (coach leads, players copy).

   • ›Autonomy in warm-up = ownership of the process
   • ›Synchronised routine: pride in shared identity
   • ›Fun first – but quality maintained

3. 3. Technical Practice – Grand Prix Dribble Race

   15m

   Set up: Full lap course around the grid using all five skill stations from Session 1, plus a speed-dribble straight.

   How to run it: Players complete the Grand Prix circuit: Station 1: scissors around the first post; Station 2: step-over through a gate; Station 3: drag-back at a wall of cones; Station 4: chop and shoot at mini goal; Station 5: 20-yd sprint with outside-foot touches. Timed. Two laps. Award three trophies: Fastest, Most Improved from Session 1, Most Creative.

   • ›All moves must be clean – stewards (teammates) can call a restart at their station
   • ›Three categories of trophy ensures everyone has a path to win
   • ›Fastest is just one way to be great

4. 4. Skill Game – 1v1 Hall of Fame

   15m

   Set up: All 1v1 pitches open simultaneously; players rotate opponents every 90 seconds.

   How to run it: Play continuous 1v1 rotation. Coach observes and 'inducts' players to the Hall of Fame (publicly announced) for: best move of the session, most determined effort, best example of patience. Inducted players get a round of applause.

   • ›Hall of Fame: include every player across the session
   • ›Categories designed so every quality is honoured
   • ›High competition throughout – everyone wants induction

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 5v5 Quarter Finale Match

   17m

   Set up: 35×28 yd pitch; full goals.

   How to run it: Full 5v5 match. No constraints. Pure game. Coach is a cheerleader, not a coach. After the final whistle, both teams form a guard of honour and every player dribbles through.

   • ›Coach: enjoy it, cheer loudly, celebrate every skill
   • ›Guard of honour: team culture ritual
   • ›Every player dribbles through: everyone contributed

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Full circle; all players seated with their balls.

   How to run it: Long stretches. Each player completes the sentence aloud: 'In Quarter 1 I learned ___ and in Quarter 2 I want to work on ___.' Coach writes every Q2 goal on a board. Distribute ribbons. Group 'Hearts chant' to close.

   • ›The goal-setting sentence bridges to Quarter 2
   • ›Ribbons mark the achievement – tangible pride
   • ›The Hearts chant builds club identity: this is Austin Hearts FC