Week 3

Outcomes

• ✓Players can perform a step-over with dominant foot at slow pace
• ✓Players can link a step-over into a directional burst
• ✓Players can perform a double step-over in sequence
• ✓Players understand that the step-over sells a fake direction

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 18 cones
• 4 pinnies
• 2 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free area; 1 ball each.

   How to run it: Players dribble and perform inside-outside combinations, then sole rolls, then on whistle everyone freezes and does 5 step-over ghost moves (no ball, just foot path). Resume dribbling.

   • ›Ghost moves: step around in a full circle
   • ›Stay on balls of feet
   • ›Keep moving between whistles

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Players in a line; individual channels 2 yds wide, 15 yds long.

   How to run it: Length 1: jog with ball, high knees. Length 2: side-shuffle, touching ball with each shuffle step. Length 3: dribble and perform one step-over at each cone. Length 4: sprint to halfway, jog back.

   • ›High knees – knee above hip
   • ›Side shuffle – don't cross feet

3. 3. Technical Practice – Step-Over Circuit

   15m

   Set up: Three stations in a 20 yd triangle; 5–6 players per station; 1 ball each.

   How to run it: Station 1: perform step-over around a stationary cone and push left. Station 2: double step-over around two cones spaced 1 yd apart. Station 3: step-over then accelerate 5 yds to a cone and sole-stop. 4-minute rotations. Coach moves between stations. Ask: 'What does your planting foot do?'

   • ›Plant foot points toward where you want the defender to think you're going
   • ›Step-over leg wraps around the ball in a full circle
   • ›Keep weight low on the plant
   • ›Explosion after: first touch goes into space, not under your feet

4. 4. Skill Game – Step-Over Relay

   15m

   Set up: Two teams; cones set in a 20-yd relay lane with 4 defender cones (stationary).

   How to run it: Players dribble the lane, performing a step-over at each defender cone. Time each run. Team with lower total time after two rounds wins. Second round: require double step-over at every cone.

   • ›Don't sacrifice quality for speed – deduct a second for a sloppy step-over
   • ›Acceleration after each move earns time back
   • ›Cheer teammates – team atmosphere

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 4v4 Step-Over Freeze

   17m

   Set up: 28×22 yd pitch; two teams of 4; small goals.

   How to run it: Play 4v4. Coach can call 'freeze' when a player is in a 1v1. The player must perform a step-over before play resumes. This is not a punishment – it is a coaching moment to build confidence.

   • ›The step-over creates an angle – push into that angle
   • ›Trust the move even when you're not sure it worked
   • ›Defenders: stay on your feet, don't dive in

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Quad, hip-flexor, and hamstring stretches. Coach asks: 'Where does the defender's weight shift after the step-over?' One player demonstrates with a volunteer.

   • ›Visualise the defender reacting
   • ›The move only works if you commit to the fake

Outcomes

• ✓Players attempt step-overs against live defenders
• ✓Players can combine scissors and step-over in a single dribble
• ✓Players can use the step-over on both wings and centrally
• ✓Players demonstrate improved reading of defensive body shape

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 20 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 4 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 20×20 yd free area; 1 ball each.

   How to run it: Players free-dribble; on coach's call they find the nearest partner and perform a step-over on approach, then pass and move away. Repeat on next call. Encourage creativity in between calls.

   • ›Commit to the step-over – don't pull out
   • ›Pass only after the move, not instead of it

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: 15-yd channel per pair.

   How to run it: Player A dribbles to Player B (passive). A executes a step-over and passes. B controls, dribbles back and repeats. Progress: B becomes semi-active, shuffling to block one side. Finish with leg swings and dynamic hip rotations.

   • ›Semi-active defender: shuffle but don't tackle yet
   • ›Attacker reads which side is open and pushes that way

3. 3. Technical Practice – 1v1 Box Duels

   15m

   Set up: 8×8 yd boxes; one attacker vs one defender per box; small cone goal on each end line.

   How to run it: Attacker tries to score by dribbling through the defender's end goal. Defender tries to win and score. Play 45-second rounds; record wins. Switch pairings after each round. Ask players: 'Which approach angle made the step-over hardest to read?'

   • ›Come at the defender straight-on, then break at an angle
   • ›Don't telegraph the direction with your eyes
   • ›Keep moving after the step-over – momentum is your friend
   • ›Defenders: stay goal-side, don't lunge

4. 4. Skill Game – 3v3 Channel Game

   15m

   Set up: Three channels 5 yds wide, 25 yds long. Teams of 3, each player owns a channel.

   How to run it: Each player can only enter adjacent channels to support but must return to their own to defend. Ball carrier must beat their channel defender before the support can arrive. Step-over encouraged as primary move.

   • ›You have time – your teammates are held in their lanes
   • ›Use the channel width to attack from different angles
   • ›Patience: wait for the defender to plant before making your move

5. 5. Small-Sided Game – 5v5 Free Play

   17m

   Set up: 35×28 yd pitch; goals; free play 5v5.

   How to run it: Free 5v5 game. Coach observes only, no constraints. Use observations to identify two teaching moments for the review. Let the game breathe.

   • ›Let players self-organise
   • ›Note who is and isn't attempting the step-over
   • ›Positive reinforcement from the sideline only

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Whole-body stretches. Coach shares two observations from the game. Ask: 'Scissors or step-over – when would you use each one?' Discuss briefly. Preview Week 4: drag-back.

   • ›Both moves serve different moments
   • ›Expanding your toolkit makes you unpredictable