Week 1

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble their ball around a cone without stopping.
• ✓Players can stop the ball with the bottom of their foot (sole stop).
• ✓Players can carry the ball to a target and come back.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player (4 colors)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Place a ball at each parking-cone dot in a 20x20 yard grid. No instructions — just balls everywhere.

   How to run it: As players arrive, point them to a ball and say 'it is all yours — go explore!' Let them kick, carry, sit on, and roll the ball freely. Greet every player by name and give a high-five.

   • ›Keep energy high and welcoming — first impression matters.
   • ›Do not correct technique yet; just encourage exploration.
   • ›Note which players are shy or hesitant for extra encouragement later.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Sleeping Lions Wake Up

   8m

   Set up: Mark a 20x20 yard square with flat cones. Every player has a ball and stands anywhere inside.

   How to run it: Tell players their ball is a 'sleeping lion' — when you say 'WAKE UP!' they dribble around. When you say 'FREEZE!' the lion goes to sleep: they stop the ball with the sole of their foot and stand still. Repeat with funny animal voices. Add challenges: dribble like a crab (wide feet), dribble like a giant (big slow steps).

   • ›Cue 'squish the ball like a bug' to help kids feel the sole stop.
   • ›Praise any child who stops with the bottom of their foot.
   • ›Keep the grid tight so balls stay close.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Islands and Boats

   12m

   Set up: Scatter 10 flat cones (islands) across a 20x20 grid. Each player has a ball (their boat).

   How to run it: Players dribble their 'boat' around the ocean. When coach calls 'STORM!' everyone must park their boat on an island (cone) using a sole stop. Remove one island each round so it gets harder. If a player cannot find an island they do a 'silly dance' and keep playing — no one is ever out. Finish with everyone finding islands at the same time.

   • ›Encourage looking up briefly to find the nearest cone.
   • ›Use 'tap tap tap' cues for small, close touches.
   • ›Celebrate every successful stop loudly.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Pirate Ships

   15m

   Set up: Set up two 15x10 yard mini-pitches side by side, each with a small goal at each end. Teams of 3, no goalkeeper. Use pinnies to identify teams.

   How to run it: Play 3v3 on each mini-pitch. Each team is a pirate crew trying to kick their cannonball (ball) into the enemy port (goal). Rotate teams every 4 minutes so every crew faces a new opponent. Coach restarts with a roll-in when the ball goes out.

   • ›Let the game flow — resist coaching during play.
   • ›Celebrate goals from both teams equally.
   • ›If a player stands still, roll a second ball into their area to include them.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players sit in a circle with their ball in their lap.

   How to run it: Ask each player to show you their favorite way to touch the ball (tap it, spin it, roll it). Then do the 'Hearts Cheer': everyone puts a hand in the middle and shouts 'Hearts!' together. Remind them of the at-home homework.

   • ›Use every player's name at least once during this segment.
   • ›End on a high — kids should leave smiling.
   • ›Keep it under 5 minutes; attention will be wandering.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble freely around a space without bumping into others.
• ✓Players can stop the ball on command with a sole stop.
• ✓Players enjoy soccer and ask to play more.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player (4 colors)
• 2 hula hoops

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Place hula hoops in two corners as 'treasure chests' with extra balls inside. Players pick a ball and play freely.

   How to run it: Let players arrive and grab a ball. Encourage them to dribble to a hula hoop, place their ball inside, and steal another one back. Pure free exploration — no rules yet.

   • ›Greet every child by name.
   • ›Match the energy — be enthusiastic and silly.
   • ›Let shy players warm up at their own pace.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Sharks and Fish

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 yard grid. All players (fish) have a ball. Coach is the shark (no ball).

   How to run it: Players dribble their fish around the ocean. Coach (shark) tries to kick any ball out of the grid. If your ball gets kicked out, do 3 toe-taps on the ball then swim back in. Swap shark role to an energetic player halfway through.

   • ›Cue 'keep your fish close so the shark cannot eat it!'
   • ›Praise players who shield the ball by putting their body between ball and shark.
   • ›Keep eliminations short — re-entry via toe-taps is instant.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Color Cone Hunt

   12m

   Set up: Scatter cones of 4 different colors randomly in a 20x20 grid. Each player has a ball.

   How to run it: Call out a color — every player dribbles to that color cone and does a sole stop with their ball touching the cone. First to do it gets to call the next color. Mix up calls quickly to keep everyone moving. Add silly voices (robot, pirate, dinosaur) when calling colors.

   • ›Praise the journey, not just the first arrival — everyone is a winner.
   • ›Encourage players to look up to find cones rather than staring at the ball.
   • ›Vary tempo: sometimes slow (tip-toe), sometimes fast (run).

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Mini Festival

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 yard mini-pitches. Teams of 3 wearing pinnies. Rotate every 3-4 minutes in a round-robin style.

   How to run it: Run a mini festival: each team plays every other team once. Coach keeps loose score but emphasizes fun over winning. Restart play immediately after each goal with a kick from the middle. Encourage players to dribble, not just kick long.

   • ›Encourage 'keep it close to your feet' during breaks in play.
   • ›Point out and celebrate creative dribbling.
   • ›No offsides, no throw-ins — keep the game flowing.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: All players gather in a circle. Each holds their ball.

   How to run it: Go around the circle and ask: 'What was your favorite game today?' Give every answer a cheer. End with the Hearts Cheer. Hand out homework cards if available.

   • ›Validate every answer — there are no wrong favorites.
   • ›Use this time to connect with quieter players.
   • ›Send kids off with specific praise ('I loved how you stopped the ball today, Maya!').