Week 19

Outcomes

• ✓Players can recognise when a forward channel is open
• ✓Players can time a forward pass to meet a teammate's run
• ✓Players can weight a through-pass correctly to stay out of the goalkeeper's reach
• ✓Players can resist the temptation to play backwards when a forward option exists

Equipment

• 12 size-4 balls
• 24 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Pairs across a 20-yard channel.

   How to run it: Player A runs diagonally; Player B times a pass to arrive at Player A's feet as they reach a cone target. A collects, dribbles back, and they swap. Focus on the timing of B's release — is the pass ahead of A, level with A, or behind A?

   • ›Pass to where the player is going, not where they are
   • ›Release the pass when the runner hits half-distance

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Full group, two lines facing each other, 15 yards apart.

   How to run it: Player from Line A runs forward; player from Line B passes at the right moment to arrive at Line A player's feet at the midpoint. Player from Line A shoots or controls and passes back. Alternate sides. Increase pace each minute.

   • ›Passer watches runner's first step to judge release timing
   • ›Runner: straight line, consistent pace to make timing easier

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 3v1+GK in a 20×15 yd channel leading to a small goal. 3 attackers start at one end, 1 defender and GK at the other.

   How to run it: Attackers must combine to work the ball into a shooting position. The first forward pass in each sequence is the focus — coach calls 'forward!' when the channel opens and the player with the ball must play immediately. Score in 8 seconds or possession resets.

   • ›Eyes always scanning forward — know the option before you receive
   • ›When the channel opens, release instantly — hesitation closes it
   • ›Through-pass weight: firm enough to beat the defender, soft enough for the runner

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 on a 28×20 yd pitch with two end zones (3 yards deep). Small goals inside end zones.

   How to run it: Teams score only by playing a forward pass into the end zone for a teammate to run onto — no dribbling into the end zone. This forces deliberate forward passing under game conditions. Two points for a goal scored after a through-pass, one point otherwise.

   • ›Runner must time the run to stay onside
   • ›Passer needs to commit to the forward ball — don't second-guess
   • ›Support players must also move forward to offer secondary options

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5, 30×22 yd, standard goals.

   How to run it: Free play. Coach freezes the game when a forward option was available but not taken, and asks: 'What did you see? What could you have done?' Players answer and play resumes. Maximum 2 freeze-frames per half.

   • ›Forward is the priority — sideways and backwards are options, not defaults
   • ›Playing forward puts defenders on the back foot
   • ›Play what you see — and be brave with the forward pass

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Hip flexor, hamstring stretches. Coach asks each player to mime the 'forward pass release moment' — hold the ball, see the runner, release. Repeat three times each.

   • ›The forward pass is a decision — practise making it confidently
   • ›Timing is a skill, just like technique — it improves with reps

Outcomes

• ✓Players can identify and use the forward pass option as a first priority
• ✓Players can switch between forward passing and possession recycling based on the situation
• ✓Players can create forward options by moving off the ball into forward positions
• ✓Players can score from forward combinations of pass and run

Equipment

• 10 size-4 balls
• 24 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: One ball per player.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. On 'forward!', every player must attempt a pass to a teammate who is ahead of them on the field. On 'recycle!', every player passes backwards. Coach alternates calls every 20 seconds to sharpen decision speed.

   • ›Head up before the call — already seeing your options
   • ›Forward = progress; recycle = safety — both are correct at the right time

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Groups of 3, 20-yard channel.

   How to run it: 3v0 combination: A passes to B, B plays first-time to C, C has run forward to receive. C dribbles back for A to start again. Progress: add a passive defender who follows B to simulate a tight channel, making B's decision more realistic.

   • ›C starts running before B receives — anticipate the ball
   • ›B's forward pass is timed so C doesn't break stride

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 3v2 in a 20×15 yd channel with a small goal at one end.

   How to run it: Three attackers start with the ball and must beat two defenders to score. Constraint: attackers must attempt a forward pass within 4 seconds of receiving. If all three passes in the sequence are forward-facing passes, the goal counts double.

   • ›Combination play: lay it off, run forward, receive again
   • ›Don't force it — recycle once to create the forward option
   • ›Defenders: press the forward pass lane to make attackers work

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4+2 neutrals, 28×20 yd, small goals.

   How to run it: Neutrals play with team in possession. A goal can only be scored after a forward pass that splits the defensive line — i.e. the pass travels between two defenders to reach the goalscorer. Coach calls 'line-breaker!' when it happens.

   • ›Wait for the gap — don't force the line-breaker
   • ›Move laterally to open the gap between defenders
   • ›Runner times the run to arrive as the gap opens

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5, 30×22 yd, standard goals.

   How to run it: Free match play. Reward forward-thinking: if a team scores with a combination involving two forward passes, they get a bonus point. Coach narrates clearly when a line-breaking pass happens to reinforce the concept.

   • ›Look forward first — every time, every possession
   • ›Support runs create the forward option for the ball-carrier
   • ›Forwards: stay onside and time runs — make the pass possible

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Shoulder and calf stretches. Coach-led discussion: 'When should you NOT play forward?' Players suggest: when it would go to the other team, when you're under too much pressure. Validate both forward bravery and smart recycling.

   • ›Forward first, but make it a good decision
   • ›The team that plays forward with quality creates the most chances