Week 13

Outcomes

• ✓Players demonstrate sole stops, direction changes, and shooting in one fluid game.
• ✓Players show increased confidence with the ball compared to Week 1.
• ✓Players can name at least two skills they have learned this quarter.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 30 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player
• 2 hula hoops
• 4 tall cones

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Full 20x20 grid with all elements from the quarter scattered: cone gates, dead ends, shooting areas, home bases.

   How to run it: Players arrive to a 'skills park' — every station from the quarter is available. Free exploration of all. Coach watches and celebrates everything they see.

   • ›Rich environment prompts recall of all the quarter's skills.
   • ›Name the skills you see: 'Oh! Is that a Magic Turn? Yes!'
   • ›Celebrate returning players with specific quarter memories.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Skills Bingo

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Coach has a 'bingo' list (not shown to players): sole stop, Magic Turn, speed dribble, shield, heads-up move, inside kick.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. Coach calls out a skill name and everyone does it — sole stop! (all stop), Magic Turn! (all turn), Cheetah! (all sprint). Go through all 6 skills from the quarter in rapid succession. Then free dribble and see who can show skills on their own.

   • ›Bingo format reviews all skills playfully in 8 minutes.
   • ›Rapid-fire calls keep attention high.
   • ›Celebrate recognition: 'You all remember that from Week 6!'

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Ball Master Challenge Course

   12m

   Set up: Set up a circular challenge course with 5 stations (2-3 yards apart): 1) sole stop on a cone, 2) Magic Turn cone, 3) speed dribble lane, 4) gate dribble, 5) shoot at goal. Place a cone at each station.

   How to run it: Players do the course in order, earning a stamp (coach high-five) at each station. Timed run: how fast can you complete all 5 stations? Go as many times as you can in 12 minutes. Challenge: beat your own time.

   • ›Course integrates all quarter skills in sequence.
   • ›Praise the quality of each skill station, not just the speed.
   • ›Players who finish early start again — constant movement.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Quarter Final Showdown

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 pitches. Teams of 3. Pinnies. Goals at each end.

   How to run it: Play 3v3 'Quarter Final' games. Coach provides live commentary calling out skills seen: 'Oh — a Magic Turn from Lily! A sole stop from Marco! Speed dribble from Jayden!' Rotate teams every 4 minutes. Give every team a chance to play every other team.

   • ›Live commentary makes children feel like professionals.
   • ›Highlight specific skills to reinforce the quarter's learning.
   • ›Keep the mood celebratory — this is their achievement.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle — big circle with everyone.

   How to run it: Coach asks: 'What is the best thing you learned with your ball this quarter?' Take 4-5 answers. Coach summarizes: 'You have all become Ball Masters!' Give each player a specific, personal compliment from the quarter. Hearts Cheer — extra loud.

   • ›Personal compliment for each player is essential — prepare these mentally.
   • ›This session closes the quarter — make it feel significant.
   • ›End with the biggest Hearts Cheer of the season so far.

Outcomes

• ✓Players demonstrate all quarter skills in free game situations.
• ✓Players experience a sense of achievement and belonging in the club.
• ✓Players are excited to continue into the next quarter.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 30 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player
• 2 hula hoops
• 4 tall cones
• Stickers or simple certificates (optional)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Full skills park layout from Session 1 of this week — everything out.

   How to run it: Players arrive to a celebration setup. Optional: place a small 'medal station' cone where players pick up a sticker from a bucket. Pure free play with everything available.

   • ›Festival atmosphere from the first moment.
   • ›Greet every player and parent with specific quarter praise.
   • ›Energy should be the highest of any session this quarter.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Little Hearts Champions Parade

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Players dribble in a parade around the outside of the grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble in a parade one behind the other around the grid perimeter. Coach narrates like a commentator: 'And here comes [name] — the sole-stop superstar! And there is [name] — the Magic Turn master!' After one full lap, players break free into the grid for random free dribbling.

   • ›Narrated parade individualizes every player in front of their parents.
   • ›Make every comment genuine and specific to that child.
   • ›High energy — this is their moment.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Anything Goes Skills Carnival

   12m

   Set up: Set up 4 carnival stations around the 20x20 grid: A) sole stop relay, B) Magic Turn cones, C) shooting gallery, D) gate dribble course. One ball per player.

   How to run it: Players rotate freely between stations — no order, just play. Spend as long as they like at each station. Coach rotates and plays alongside at each station, demonstrating skills. Keep energy high with commentary and encouragement at each.

   • ›Free rotation respects individual interest and energy.
   • ›Join them at each station — not just observe.
   • ›Celebrate creativity: players inventing their own moves get extra cheers.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — End-of-Quarter Festival

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. All teams play. Round-robin. Extra ball available at each pitch so restarts are instant.

   How to run it: 3v3 round-robin final festival. Coach keeps a running group goal count across all pitches and announces it after each round. Go for a group total record. Let parents watch from the sideline. Celebrate every goal from every team.

   • ›Group goal count builds collective joy.
   • ›Let parents watch and cheer — their support matters.
   • ›If a shy player scores, make it the biggest celebration of the day.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: One big circle. Parents welcome to join the edge.

   How to run it: Coach leads: 'This quarter you learned to sole stop, change direction, dribble with speed, do the Magic Turn, pass, receive, shoot, and play as a team. That makes you official Ball Masters of Austin Hearts FC!' Each player comes forward for a personal high-five and their sticker/certificate. Final Hearts Cheer — biggest of the year.

   • ›The ceremony must feel meaningful — slow down, make eye contact.
   • ›Every player gets a personal moment in front of the group.
   • ›Hearts Cheer is the closing ritual of Q1 — make it memorable.