Week 16

Outcomes

• ✓Players can push the ball forward and run with it at speed.
• ✓Players can use the laces (top of the foot) to push the ball ahead.
• ✓Players can keep the ball under control while running fast.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 10 cones
• 2 different coloured cone sets

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Open grid with balls. Place two cones 15 yards apart as a 'launch strip'.

   How to run it: Players arrive and explore the grid. Dare them to run as fast as possible with the ball from one cone to the other.

   • ›Watch how far ahead they push the ball.
   • ›Praise players who sprint — celebrate speed.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Rocket Launch

   8m

   Set up: Players line up (yes, one short line is OK here) at one end of the grid. Each has a ball.

   How to run it: On 'LAUNCH!' every player rockets their ball and chases it to the other end, then stops it. Waddle back like penguins. Launch again! Go four times, fastest launch wins nothing — everyone is a Rocket.

   • ›Big push with laces, then sprint.
   • ›Stop the ball with the sole — don't let it roll away.
   • ›It's about the feeling of speed, not racing each other.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Speedy Delivery

   12m

   Set up: Place 5 coloured cones (houses) around the grid. Each player starts at centre with a ball.

   How to run it: Coach calls a colour: 'Deliver to BLUE!' Every player speeds to that cone and stops their ball on it. First player back wins a point — but only if ball is stopped neatly. Play 8 rounds.

   • ›Big push, big run — don't take tiny touches.
   • ›Slow down near the cone to stop cleanly.
   • ›Show: laces touch sends ball far; inside touch gives control.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 3v3 Speed Gates

   15m

   Set up: Two 3v3 games. Each game has two large goals. Place two 'speed gates' (pairs of cones, 1 yard apart) in the middle of each pitch.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. Bonus point if a player dribbles through a speed gate at full speed before scoring. Teams decide when to use the speed gate.

   • ›Encourage players to look for space to run into.
   • ›Defenders: back up — don't let the attacker run past.
   • ›Reward brave runs with the ball.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Seated circle.

   How to run it: Stretch legs out, roll the ball down your legs and back. Then practise the 'laces push' sitting down — just flick the ball forward gently. Name the part of the foot used today: 'laces!'

   • ›Reinforce: laces = speed dribble.
   • ›Ask players to teach their parents the laces trick at home.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble at full speed across open space.
• ✓Players can control the ball after a fast run.
• ✓Players can choose when to speed up and when to slow down.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 8 cones
• 4 pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Grid with balls. Challenge written on a cone (coach tells them): '10 laces-pushes in a row'.

   How to run it: Players arrive and try to do 10 laces-pushes while running without the ball going out of the grid.

   • ›Praise effort over distance.
   • ›Encourage players to count aloud.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Speed Cheetahs

   8m

   Set up: Two players are Cheetahs (pinnies, no ball). Others dribble in grid.

   How to run it: Cheetahs chase players. If a Cheetah touches you, freeze for 5 seconds, then go. Swap Cheetahs every 90 seconds. Challenge: can you outrun the Cheetah?

   • ›Dribblers: speed away with a big push-and-run.
   • ›Cheetahs: pick a target, sprint at them.
   • ›Encourage direction changes to escape.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Space Race

   12m

   Set up: Mark a start line and finish line 18 yards apart. Players pair up.

   How to run it: Both players in a pair start together — race to the finish line with a ball. First to stop their ball on the finish line wins the round. Pairs mix up every round. Play 5 rounds.

   • ›It's not about winning — celebrate all finishers.
   • ›Focus on technique: push-and-chase, don't kick and forget.
   • ›Let players choose their own partner each round.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 4v4 Fast Break

   15m

   Set up: One 20x15 game, 4v4. Two large flat-cone goals.

   How to run it: Play 4v4. Announce 'SPEED ROUND' every 90 seconds — during a Speed Round, all goals are worth 3 points but only if the scorer ran the ball the final 5 yards at full speed.

   • ›Celebrate explosive runs even if the goal is missed.
   • ›Remind defenders to track fast runs.
   • ›No goalkeeper — wide goals encourage dribbling at pace.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Seated circle.

   How to run it: Shake out the legs. Players go round the circle and say one word to describe today — 'FAST!', 'FUN!', 'ZOOOM!' Then everyone howls like a Rocket together and high-fives.

   • ›Finish with high energy and smiles.
   • ›Tell them next week they will learn a cool new move.