Week 27

Outcomes

• ✓Players can kick a stationary ball toward a small goal using their laces.
• ✓Players can aim at a target and celebrate when it goes in.
• ✓Players can take turns quickly without waiting in long lines.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 8 small flat-cone goals (2 yards wide each)
• 20 cones to mark a 25x20 yard area
• 1 set of pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Spread four small goals around the space. Give every player a ball.

   How to run it: Players arrive and shoot at any goal they like. No rules — just explore shooting freely. Tell them: 'Find a goal and blast it in!'

   • ›Let them experiment — resist coaching just yet.
   • ›High-five every goal right away to build excitement.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Alien Invasion

   8m

   Set up: All players with a ball in the open area. Two coaches (or two quick parents) are the 'aliens' without balls.

   How to run it: Aliens try to tap players' balls away. Players dribble to protect their ball. If tagged, do three toe-taps on the ball and re-join. Play two 3-minute rounds.

   • ›Encourage players to keep the ball close using small touches.
   • ›Praise players who change direction to escape.
   • ›Keep aliens moving so everyone stays active.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Rocket Launch

   12m

   Set up: Place eight small goals in pairs around the space — four shooting stations. Each station has two goals facing each other, 8 yards apart. Players split evenly across stations, each with a ball.

   How to run it: At each station, players take turns shooting at the goal across from them. When the ball goes in they shout 'BLAST OFF!' and retrieve it. Count personal goals in 2-minute bursts. Switch stations twice.

   • ›Show the laces kick — toe down, knee over the ball.
   • ›Encourage players to look at the goal before kicking.
   • ›Keep everyone on a ball — no waiting turns of more than one player.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 3v3 Shooting Festival

   15m

   Set up: Two 3v3 games on 15x10 yard pitches. One small goal each end, no goalkeepers. Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

   How to run it: Play 3v3 — a goal counts any time the ball rolls through the small goal. Restart with a kick-in from the side when the ball goes out. Play three 4-minute rounds with quick team rotations.

   • ›Encourage shooting whenever there is a clear look at goal.
   • ›Praise teammates who get into position to receive.
   • ›Let the game flow — only pause for safety issues.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players sit in a circle with their ball in their lap.

   How to run it: Each player squeezes the ball and says one thing they scored or tried today. Coach gives a double high-five to every player. End with the team cheer.

   • ›Accept any answer — reinforce effort over outcome.
   • ›Keep the mood celebratory and light.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can shoot on sight during a real game.
• ✓Players can celebrate teammates' goals generously.
• ✓Players can restart play quickly and keep the game moving.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 8 small flat-cone goals
• 20 cones
• 2 sets of pinnies
• score cones or whiteboard (optional)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: All goals are up. Every player has a ball and can shoot at any goal.

   How to run it: Free shooting at any goal. Coach calls out: 'Who can hit the back of the net three times before I count to 20?' Play multiple challenges.

   • ›Keep it playful — exaggerate the countdown.
   • ›High-five every effort.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Treasure Hunters

   8m

   Set up: Scatter 10 small cones (treasures) in the middle of the space. Two teams on opposite sides, each player with a ball.

   How to run it: On 'GO!' players dribble into the middle, steal a cone treasure, and dribble it back to their team's side. One treasure per trip. Most treasures win. Play three 90-second rounds.

   • ›Dribbling with the ball — not carrying the cone and abandoning the ball.
   • ›Praise close touches and quick feet.
   • ›Keep rounds short and restart fast.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Fastest Scorer

   12m

   Set up: Pairs of players share one ball and one small goal, standing 6 yards away.

   How to run it: Player A shoots; Player B retrieves. Count how many goals the pair scores in 60 seconds, then switch roles. Pairs try to beat their combined total in three rounds.

   • ›Encourage firm contact through the middle of the ball.
   • ›Retrievers should stay alert and return the ball quickly.
   • ›Celebrate when pairs beat their record.

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

   15m

   Set up: Three 3v3 or 4v4 games running simultaneously on 15x12 yard pitches. One goal each end. No goalkeepers. Fresh game every 5 minutes.

   How to run it: Play three 5-minute games. Rotate teams so everyone plays against someone new each game. Count goals loudly and reset the score each game. Keep restarts quick.

   • ›No lines, no waiting — every player is on the field every game.
   • ›Encourage players who haven't scored to shoot more.
   • ›Let players referee themselves where safe.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players jog one slow lap around the outside of the area, ball at their feet.

   How to run it: Slow dribble lap. At the end, everyone sits and the coach asks: 'Who scored their first goal today?' Clap for everyone. End with the club cheer.

   • ›Keep the lap gentle — wind-down pace.
   • ›Include every player in the celebration regardless of goals.