Week 25

Outcomes

• ✓Players can recognise open space and dribble into it.
• ✓Players can slow down near a defender before making a move.
• ✓Players can make a simple choice between dribbling and stopping.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 8 cones
• 4 pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Grid with balls. Mixed cones and pinnied players as 'obstacles'.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble around both cones AND players. Challenge: which is harder to avoid — a cone or a person? Why?

   • ›Spark the question: the person moves — they are different.
   • ›Let discussion happen naturally.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Space Finder

   8m

   Set up: All players dribble in the grid. Five cones placed randomly as 'filled spots'.

   How to run it: Players dribble to open space — never to a cone. If you reach a cone, that spot is 'taken' — turn away. Add two more cones every 30 seconds until the grid feels crowded. React to space, not to cones.

   • ›Eyes UP — see the space before you arrive.
   • ›Turn early — don't run into a closed space.
   • ›Make fast decisions — react, don't plan too long.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Decision Dribble

   12m

   Set up: Pairs. One ball per pair. 8-yard channel. A cone in the middle (the 'choice point').

   How to run it: Player A dribbles toward the choice-point cone. Player B stands at the cone as a static defender. At the cone, A must choose: go left, go right, or stop-and-shield. B reacts after A chooses. Score a point if A crosses the end line.

   • ›Decide early — before you arrive at the cone.
   • ›Your decision comes from reading B's body position.
   • ›Any choice is correct if it works — encourage commitment.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 3v3 Thinking Soccer

   15m

   Set up: Two 3v3 games. Standard goals.

   How to run it: Play normally — but coach gives a running commentary on decisions: 'She dribbled into space — great!', 'He held the ball when the defender came — smart!', 'Great turn away from trouble!' Narrate good decisions.

   • ›Positive narration teaches without stopping play.
   • ›Name good decisions by name: 'That was a brilliant dribble, Mia!'
   • ›Don't stop the game to correct — narrate instead.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Seated circle.

   How to run it: Ask: 'When do you dribble?' and 'When do you stop?' Let players answer. Accept all ideas. Then everyone claps three times and shouts 'Game Brain!'

   • ›Their own answers are more powerful than yours.
   • ›Validate every response.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can select a dribbling skill appropriate to the situation.
• ✓Players can play with confidence and joy in a game environment.
• ✓Players can encourage teammates as well as compete.

Equipment

• 1 ball per player
• 10 cones
• 4 pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Grid with balls. No structure.

   How to run it: Free play — anything goes. Players choose their own challenges.

   • ›Observe — who is leading? Who is trying new things?
   • ›Don't intervene — this is THEIR time.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: The Big Review

   8m

   Set up: Players dribble freely.

   How to run it: Coach calls moves from Q2 one at a time: 'SOLE ROLL!', 'SCISSOR!', 'STOP AND GO!', 'SHIELD!', 'BURST!' — players execute on the call. Finish with 'YOUR SIGNATURE MOVE!' — every player does their personal combo.

   • ›This celebrates the whole quarter's learning.
   • ›Cheer every signature move.
   • ›Energy should be high and celebratory.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Festival Challenges

   12m

   Set up: Three stations around the grid: 1) Slalom (weave through cones); 2) 1v1 vs a cone defender; 3) Solo juggle/ball tricks free choice.

   How to run it: Players rotate through stations every 3 minutes. At each station there's no coach instruction — just a sign (cone label) saying what the station is. Players self-manage.

   • ›Self-managed stations build independence.
   • ›Coach circulates and watches — only intervene if safety issue.
   • ›Celebrate personal discoveries.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 4v4 Festival Match

   15m

   Set up: One big festival match, 4v4. All the goals and zones from the quarter — multi-goal format (4 goals, any direction).

   How to run it: Play 4v4, any goal counts. Use ALL skills freely — no restrictions. Let players express everything they've learned. Coach just celebrates.

   • ›Maximum joy — let the game breathe.
   • ›This is where you see what they've retained.
   • ›Celebrate every goal, every move, every touch.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Seated circle.

   How to run it: Go round the circle: 'My favourite move from this term is...' Each player names it, everyone copies it once. End with a group clap: 1-2-3 HEARTS!

   • ›Reflection cements learning.
   • ›Club culture building — 'Hearts' as identity.