Week 15

Outcomes

• ✓Players can make a sharp turn left or right when dribbling.
• ✓Players can use the inside of the foot to cut the ball.
• ✓Players can change direction to avoid a cone or a player.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 16 cones
• 4 flag poles or tall cones (optional)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Set up 8 cones in a loose zigzag line across the grid.

   How to run it: Players arrive and try to dribble through the zigzag any way they like. No rules yet — just explore.

   • ›Watch natural movement patterns — who already turns well?
   • ›Praise any child who slows before a cone.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Bumper Cars

   8m

   Set up: Everyone with a ball in the grid. Cones scattered as 'road bumps'.

   How to run it: Dribble around the whole grid. When you're about to hit another player, yell 'BEEP BEEP!' and change direction. If you hit a cone, you 'bump' — tap the ball with both feet five times and go again.

   • ›Heads up — look where you are going!
   • ›Change direction sharply, not gradually.
   • ›Make the beeping noises — it keeps the energy fun.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Gate Guards

   12m

   Set up: Place 8 pairs of cones (gates, 1 yard wide) randomly around the grid.

   How to run it: Each player dribbles through as many gates as possible in 45 seconds. After going through, immediately turn and find a new gate. Count gates — try to beat last round. Play three rounds.

   • ›Turn tight after each gate — small touches.
   • ›Show the 'inside-of-foot cut': push the ball sideways with the inside arch.
   • ›Celebrate the players who turn fastest.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 3v3 Turn and Score

   15m

   Set up: Two 3v3 games. Each game has four mini-goals (flat cones) placed at the corners.

   How to run it: Teams can score in any of the four goals. This forces constant turning and changes of direction. Rotate opponents after 4 minutes.

   • ›Encourage players to turn away from pressure, not into it.
   • ›Defenders: press the ball — make the dribbler change direction.
   • ›Lots of touches, lots of turning.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players sit in a circle, ball between feet.

   How to run it: Twist side to side with arms out like an aeroplane — 10 times each way. Then share: 'What direction can you turn?' Left, right, and backwards if you're brave!

   • ›Reinforce vocabulary: 'inside cut', 'change direction'.
   • ›Keep it light and celebratory.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can change direction to escape a chaser.
• ✓Players can read space and turn into open areas.
• ✓Players can maintain ball control while being chased.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 8 cones
• 6 pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Grid with balls scattered. Some cones placed randomly.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble. Challenge: touch 5 different cones in a row, making a turn at each one.

   • ›Encourage quick, decisive turns.
   • ›Praise players who plan their next cone ahead of time.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Tail Tag with a Ball

   8m

   Set up: Every player tucks a pinnie into the back of their shorts as a 'tail'. Everyone dribbles.

   How to run it: Dribble your ball AND try to grab other players' tails. If you lose your tail, pick up your ball and walk to the edge to get a new tail, then re-enter. Play for 90 seconds.

   • ›Ball must stay close — no kicking it far away to chase a tail.
   • ›Change direction to protect your own tail.
   • ›Remind players: protect your tail first, grab tails second.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Fox and Chickens

   12m

   Set up: One player is the Fox (no ball). All others are Chickens (with a ball). Define a 'safe coop' zone — a 4x4 cone box at one end.

   How to run it: Chickens dribble freely. Fox tries to kick any ball out. If your ball is kicked out, retrieve it, do a spin-turn, and re-enter. After 60 seconds, choose a new Fox. Each child gets a turn as Fox.

   • ›Chickens: change direction to avoid the Fox.
   • ›Fox: be clever — wait for the Chicken to look away.
   • ›Encourage Chickens to use the whole space, not bunch up.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 4v4 Counter-Attack

   15m

   Set up: 20x15 yard pitch, 4v4. One large goal each end (two cones, 4 yards wide).

   How to run it: Play 4v4. When a team wins the ball, they must turn and attack quickly before the other team sets. Award a bonus point if a team scores within 5 seconds of winning the ball.

   • ›Encourage fast, positive turns after winning the ball.
   • ›No keeper — all players defend and attack.
   • ›Celebrate quick turns as well as goals.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle, everyone seated.

   How to run it: Each player makes a 'zoom' sound and pretends to steer a car — stretch left, stretch right, then shake their hands out. High-five two people and say one thing they enjoyed.

   • ›Use cool-down to reinforce today's vocabulary: 'turn', 'change direction'.
   • ›End on a big group cheer.