Week 2

Outcomes

• ✓Players can stop a moving ball using the sole of their foot.
• ✓Players can start dribbling again within one second of a sole stop.
• ✓Players can perform sole stops while moving at a jog.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 24 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid with balls scattered. A line of 4 cones down the middle as a 'wall'.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely. Encourage them to dribble around the cone wall without knocking it down. No formal instruction — just guided exploration.

   • ›Observe which players already use a sole stop naturally.
   • ›Keep the atmosphere relaxed and playful.
   • ›High-five every arrival.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Red Light Green Light

   8m

   Set up: Players line up at one end of a 25-yard strip, each with a ball. Coach stands at the far end.

   How to run it: Coach shouts 'GREEN LIGHT!' — players dribble toward coach. 'RED LIGHT!' — sole stop immediately. Any player whose ball keeps rolling takes one step back. First player to reach coach wins and becomes the next traffic controller. Play several rounds.

   • ›Cue 'put your foot on top — squish it!'
   • ›Reward fast reactions, not just fast runners.
   • ›Use silly voices for the lights to keep energy up.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Sticky Feet Statues

   12m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Every player has a ball. Two flat cones mark a 'statue gallery' corner.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. When coach plays music (clap rhythm or whistle), they must do a sole stop and become a 'statue' — hold perfectly still. Coach walks around and tries to make them laugh or move. Anyone who twitches does 3 toe-taps and re-joins. Restart music to unfreeze everyone. Add challenge: statue in a funny pose!

   • ›Look for flat foot placement on top of the ball.
   • ›Encourage wide standing leg for balance.
   • ›Praise creativity in statue poses to keep mood light.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Stop-and-Go Goals

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 mini-pitches. Teams of 3, no goalkeeper. Goals at each end.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. Special rule: before shooting, a player must do one sole stop first — the ball must be stopped before it can go into the goal. Coach reminds players of the rule when they get near goal. Goals count double if the shooter does a sole stop right in front of goal.

   • ›Gently remind players of the sole-stop rule near goal — do not stop play, just cue.
   • ›Celebrate all goals and all sole stops equally.
   • ›Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle on the grass, balls in laps.

   How to run it: Coach demonstrates a sole stop in slow motion, players mirror. Ask: 'What part of your foot does the sticky stop?' (bottom/sole). Hearts Cheer to close. Share homework.

   • ›Keep the Q&A short — one or two answers then move on.
   • ›Ensure every player knows the homework before leaving.
   • ›Reinforce names — use each player's name at least once.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can sole-stop in different directions (not just forward).
• ✓Players can stop and change direction during a game.
• ✓Players show increased confidence dribbling in traffic.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 24 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player
• 4 tall cones (corner markers)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Balls everywhere in a 20x20 grid. Tall cones mark corners like a castle.

   How to run it: Players arrive and play freely, exploring the 'castle grounds.' Encourage them to dribble to each tall cone corner and do a sole stop before moving to the next one. Totally optional — just play.

   • ›Observe and celebrate any sole stop you see.
   • ›No instruction — let them explore.
   • ›Connect with any player who looks uncertain.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Superheroes Freeze

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid, every player has a ball. Coach assigns each player a superhero name.

   How to run it: Players dribble as their superhero. When coach calls their hero name, that player must sole-stop. If they do it cleanly they get a 'superpower point' (thumb-up from coach). Call names in quick succession so everyone gets multiple turns. End by calling 'ALL HEROES FREEZE' — everyone sole-stops at once.

   • ›Match the name to each child's personality if possible — makes it personal.
   • ›Call names faster as the game goes on to increase challenge.
   • ›Praise the stop, not just the speed.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Space Rocks

   12m

   Set up: Scatter 10 flat cones as 'space rocks' in a 20x20 grid. Every player has a ball (their spaceship).

   How to run it: Players dribble their spaceships through space. When coach calls 'ASTEROID!' they must do a sole stop to avoid a rock. Then coach calls 'BLAST OFF!' and they dribble again. Extra challenge: sole stop with LEFT foot only on 'MOON ROCKS!' call. Coach uses dramatic space commentary to keep theme alive.

   • ›Encourage using both feet for stops across multiple rounds.
   • ›Praise players who look up before stopping — 'great space vision!'
   • ›Keep calls unpredictable so players stay alert.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Festival Rounds

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Round-robin: 3 teams rotate, playing 4-minute games.

   How to run it: Play 3v3 mini-festival. For the final round, introduce 'Golden Stop': a goal scored after a sole stop inside the penalty zone (marked by 2 cones) counts as 2 points. Encourage but do not require it.

   • ›Keep games flowing — roll ball back in quickly.
   • ›Mention 'nice stop!' whenever a player sole-stops in a game.
   • ›No offsides — maximize touches and game time.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle, each player with their ball.

   How to run it: Players take turns doing their best sole stop for the group — everyone claps. Coach gives each player a specific compliment from the day. Hearts Cheer. Homework reminder.

   • ›Make every compliment genuine and specific.
   • ›Keep energy positive even if a player struggled today.
   • ›End with everyone smiling.