Week 27

Outcomes

• ✓Players can identify the moment to accelerate past a defender.
• ✓Players can perform a slow-fast dribble to create separation.
• ✓Players can protect the ball using their body while driving forward.
• ✓Players can attempt a finish after beating a defender 1v1.

Equipment

• 10 cones
• 6 bibs
• 1 ball per player
• 2 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Each player has a ball in a 15×15 yd grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely, changing direction on their own. On coach's call of 'Hearts!', every player freezes the ball under their sole and looks up. Coach calls a colour cone; players sprint to touch it and return to their ball.

   • ›Keep the ball close — no more than two feet away.
   • ›Use both feet equally when changing direction.
   • ›Head up when you freeze so you can actually see the cone.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Two parallel lines of cones, 10 yards apart, players in single file.

   How to run it: Players perform locomotion movements between the lines: high knees, heel flicks, lateral shuffles, carioca, and finally a 75% sprint. Finish with dynamic leg swings and hip circles in place.

   • ›Drive the knees up to hip height on high knees.
   • ›Stay light on the balls of your feet throughout.
   • ›Accelerate hard on the final sprint rep.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Pairs, one ball each pair. Set a cone gate 2 yds wide 8 yds away. Defender stands just beyond the gate, stationary at first then semi-active.

   How to run it: Attacker dribbles slowly toward the gate, then explodes through it at full speed before the defender can close. Rotate after 4 attempts each. Progress: defender may now shadow-defend (no tackling) to force the attacker to decide when to burst.

   • ›Slow down to speed up — lull the defender before the burst.
   • ›Touch the ball forward into space when you accelerate, don't over-touch.
   • ›Drive through with your stronger foot first; switch feet on next rep.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 in a 25×20 yd grid. No goals — score by dribbling through any of four cone gates on the opponent's end line.

   How to run it: Normal possession rules apply. A point is only awarded if the scorer beats a defender 1v1 in the final five yards before the gate. Restart with the defending team after each score.

   • ›Take the defender on — don't pass the problem away.
   • ›Hold your shape as a team so the 1v1 player has options after.
   • ›Defenders: stay goal-side and make the attacker go wide.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 (including keepers) on a 35×25 yd pitch with two full-size or large portable goals.

   How to run it: Free play with one rule: a goal scored immediately after beating a defender 1v1 counts double. Coach keeps score and announces points live to motivate attempts.

   • ›Look for 1v1 opportunities in the final third.
   • ›Keepers: communicate and come off your line early.
   • ›Reward bravery — trying and losing the ball is better than passing back.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players in a circle, each with a ball.

   How to run it: Light passing and ball rolling underfoot for two minutes. Coach asks: 'When did you use the change of speed today? What worked?' Take two player answers and close with a team chant.

   • ›Reinforce the slow-fast principle with a player's own example.
   • ›Acknowledge effort over outcome.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can beat a live defender 1v1 before shooting.
• ✓Players can place a side-foot finish into a corner of the goal.
• ✓Players can make a quick decision to shoot after beating a defender.
• ✓Players can reset and re-engage a defender if the first attempt fails.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 8 bibs
• 6 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Grid 15×15 yd, each player with a ball.

   How to run it: Players perform sole-roll side-to-side, toe-taps, and inside-outside dribbles freely. Every 90 seconds coach calls a number; groups of that size must form quickly and keep the ball moving inside their mini-group.

   • ›Keep weight on the balls of your feet.
   • ›Inside-outside: same foot, two touches, head up between touches.
   • ›React quickly when numbers are called — game awareness.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Single file along a 15 yd channel.

   How to run it: Ladder of movements: walking lunges, side shuffles, backward jogging, accelerations. End with two 'attack the goal' sprints — players sprint to a cone 10 yds out and strike a stationary ball into an open goal.

   • ›Full extension on the lunge, knee does not pass the toes.
   • ›Strike the stationary ball with a firm side-foot — placement before power.
   • ›Lean slightly over the ball when shooting.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Channel 8×20 yd with a small goal at one end and a keeper. Defender starts on a cone 5 yds from the goal. Attacker starts at the far end with the ball.

   How to run it: Attacker dribbles toward the defender and must beat them 1v1 before shooting. Defender is fully live. Rotate roles every three turns. Progress: narrow the channel to force a definitive move.

   • ›Commit the defender — get close before the move.
   • ›After beating the defender, one touch to set, one touch to finish.
   • ›Side-foot finish: plant foot beside the ball, locked ankle, strike through the middle.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: Two teams of four. Two goals with keepers on a 30×20 yd pitch. Each team designates one 'finisher' who can only score, not defend.

   How to run it: Normal 4v4 play. Goals scored by the designated finisher after receiving from a team-mate who beat a defender count double. Rotate the finisher role every three minutes.

   • ›Finisher: make a run in behind as soon as your team-mate beats their player.
   • ›Passer: weight the ball into the finisher's stride.
   • ›Keeper: stay big and don't dive too early.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers on a 40×30 yd pitch with full-size goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach introduces a 'Bonus Ball' rule: any time a player beats a defender 1v1 and then scores, the team gets two bonus balls in reserve — awarded as free kicks from the halfway line if they concede.

   • ›Keep the game flowing; coach pauses only for key teaching moments.
   • ›Encourage shot attempts from inside the box.
   • ›Defend as a unit — nearest player presses, others cover.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle with balls at feet.

   How to run it: Gentle juggling or toe-taps for two minutes. Ask: 'What did you do to create space before shooting?' Highlight two specific moments from the game.

   • ›Connect the 1v1 beat to the finishing action as one fluid sequence.
   • ›Praise composure in front of goal.