Week 14

Outcomes

• ✓Players can strike a push-pass with the inside of the foot on a firm, accurate surface
• ✓Players can align their standing foot beside the ball before contact
• ✓Players can follow through toward the target after striking
• ✓Players can vary pass weight over distances of 5–15 yards

Equipment

• 12 size-4 balls
• 20 flat disc cones
• 4 small goals
• 1 set of bibs (2 colours)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Each player has a ball in a 15×15 yd grid. No cones needed beyond the grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely and on coach's call perform a stop, sole-roll, or inside-cut. Progress to toe-taps and inside-outside toe-taps on the spot. Coach circulates and praises players maintaining a low centre of gravity.

   • ›Knees slightly bent, weight on balls of feet
   • ›Eyes up as much as possible while dribbling

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Two lines of cones 10 yards apart. Players partner up.

   How to run it: Partners perform high-knees, butt-kicks, lateral shuffles, and lunges across the 10-yard gap. Finish with two 10-yard accelerations at 75% pace. Add an arm-swing component to each movement to prepare upper body for the passing action.

   • ›Full range of motion on lunges — back knee close to the ground
   • ›Eyes forward during lateral shuffles

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Pairs 8 yards apart with a gate of two cones (1 yard wide) between them. 10 pairs across the grid.

   How to run it: Partner A passes through the gate to Partner B using only the inside of the foot; B stops and returns. After 6 passes each, widen the gate to 2 yards and increase distance to 12 yards. Finally, challenge pairs to complete 10 consecutive passes through the gate without a miss. Coach counts aloud to add competitive energy.

   • ›Non-kicking foot planted beside the ball, pointing at the target
   • ›Lock the ankle — foot turned out, firm on contact
   • ›Follow through low, finishing with toe pointing toward the target
   • ›Receiver gives a hand-target to call for the pass

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 5×5 yd rondo: groups of 4 in a square with 1 defender in the middle.

   How to run it: Outer players keep the ball away from the middle player using push-passes only — no lofted balls. The middle player swaps with whoever loses possession. Count consecutive passes as a team. Challenge the group to beat their own record each round.

   • ›Pass to a free teammate, not into pressure
   • ›Receive with an open body shape ready to pass again
   • ›Defender uses energy and angle to force a mistake

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 4v4 on a 25×18 yd pitch with small goals. No goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Free play 4v4. Coach awards a bonus point each time a team completes three consecutive push-passes before scoring. Rotate teams every 5 minutes so all players face different opponents.

   • ›Move to support the player on the ball immediately after passing
   • ›Create triangles — give the ball-carrier two options
   • ›Play forward when the opportunity is clear

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players sit in a circle with the coach.

   How to run it: Light static stretches — quad, hip-flexor, calf. Coach asks two players to demonstrate the locked-ankle pass action slowly. End with one team cheer.

   • ›What made the pass accurate? (locked ankle, foot pointing at target)
   • ›One thing each player will practise at home tonight

Outcomes

• ✓Players can select the correct pass weight to reach a moving teammate
• ✓Players can link two or more push-passes in sequence under light pressure
• ✓Players can recognise when to pass and when to hold
• ✓Players can support the ball-carrier at a helpful angle and distance

Equipment

• 10 size-4 balls
• 24 flat disc cones
• 4 small goals
• 2 sets of bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free-dribble grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble with freedom. On 'freeze,' every player must pass to someone within 3 yards using a push-pass and call a teammate's name before passing. Resume dribbling immediately after receiving. Repeat 8 times.

   • ›Head up to find a nearby player before calling
   • ›Firm, accurate pass — not too hard

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Two cones 12 yards apart; players in a single-file line.

   How to run it: Players move through: carioca, side-shuffle, backward jog, forward sprint. Add a ball to carry on the last two runs. Finish with partner passing on the move — walk-pace, 5 yards apart.

   • ›Stay light on your feet — don't flat-foot the sprint
   • ›Controlled, not rushed, during partner passing

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: A 12×8 yd channel with four cone gates (1.5 yd wide) spread across it. Groups of 3.

   How to run it: Player A passes through any gate to Player B; B passes through a different gate to Player C; C dribbles to restart. After 5 minutes, add a passive shadow defender who mirrors the ball-carrier to create decision pressure. Players score a point each time they complete a gate-to-gate combo.

   • ›Look up before passing to pick the open gate
   • ›Receiver checks their shoulder to see which gate is available
   • ›Weight the pass so the receiver doesn't have to stretch

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v1 keep-away in a 10×10 yd box. Rotate the defender every 90 seconds.

   How to run it: Four attackers keep possession against one defender. A point is scored for every 5 consecutive passes. If the defender wins the ball, they immediately join the outer group and the player who lost it defends. Keep a running team score.

   • ›Spread to use the whole space — don't cluster
   • ›Pass and move immediately
   • ›Defender closes quickly and forces direction

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 (or 4v4 with waiting teams) on 30×20 yd with small goals.

   How to run it: Standard play. Introduce a rule: a goal counts double if the scoring team made at least four passes in the move. Coach tracks pass counts aloud to help players understand the reward for combining.

   • ›Recycle possession — backwards or sideways — to find a better angle
   • ›Third man movement: the player not involved in the immediate pass moves to receive next
   • ›Transition quickly — attack the moment possession is won

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle cool-down.

   How to run it: Static stretches targeting hamstrings and adductors. Coach asks: 'When did you choose to hold the ball instead of passing, and was it the right call?' Two players share. Close with Hearts chant.

   • ›Decision-making: pass when a teammate is free and well-positioned
   • ›Celebrate the assists as loudly as the goals