Week 28

Outcomes

• ✓Players can strike the ball with their laces for maximum power.
• ✓Players can use the inside of their foot for a more accurate kick.
• ✓Players can choose which type of kick to use based on the distance from goal.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 6 small flat-cone goals
• 20 cones
• 1 large target (hula hoop or marked square on goal)
• pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Half the goals are close (5 yards), half are far (12 yards). Every player has a ball.

   How to run it: Players choose which goal to shoot at. Encourage them to try both close and far. No rules — just shooting.

   • ›Watch which foot players favour — gently encourage the other foot too.
   • ›Keep the energy high with encouraging shouts.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Dinosaur Stomp

   8m

   Set up: All players with a ball in the 25x20 yard area. No goals needed yet.

   How to run it: Everyone is a dinosaur. Coach calls 'T-REX!' — stomp to the ball and do big stomping toe-taps. 'RAPTOR!' — quick dribble zig-zag. 'METEOR!' — sit on the ball fast. Play for 8 minutes mixing calls.

   • ›Big stomp = weight through the ball, great for laces shooting practice.
   • ›Quick zig-zag = close touches, inside-of-foot control.
   • ›Keep it silly and loud.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Boom Zone vs Bullseye Zone

   12m

   Set up: Place two large goals or hula-hoop targets 12 yards away (Boom Zone). Place four small goals 5 yards away (Bullseye Zone). Players start in two groups.

   How to run it: Boom Zone: players wind up and kick as hard as they can at the large target. Bullseye Zone: players tiptoe and use inside of foot to guide the ball through the small goal. Groups swap after 3 minutes. Do two full rotations.

   • ›Boom: toe down, lean back slightly, full follow-through.
   • ›Bullseye: side of the foot, open the hip, calm body.
   • ›Ask players: 'Which felt easier? Which was more fun?'

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: Choose Your Kick 3v3

   15m

   Set up: Two 3v3 games. Each pitch has one big goal and one small goal at each end. No goalkeeper.

   How to run it: Big goal = only counts with a power laces kick. Small goal = only counts with an inside-foot pass. Players must choose the right kick for the right goal. Play three 4-minute rounds.

   • ›Remind players before restarts which kick each goal needs.
   • ›Praise any player who successfully identifies and uses the correct technique.
   • ›Let players call out the wrong technique to each other — great self-learning.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players sit in pairs, gently rolling the ball to each other.

   How to run it: While rolling, ask: 'When do you use a BIG boom kick?' and 'When do you use a sneaky bullseye kick?' High-five your partner. Stand up for the group cheer.

   • ›Accept any reasonable answer — the concept is the win.
   • ›Reinforce the two words: POWER and PLACEMENT.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can select power or placement based on the situation in a game.
• ✓Players can communicate shooting decisions to teammates.
• ✓Players can enjoy competing in structured mini-matches.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 8 small flat-cone goals (4 big, 4 small)
• 20 cones
• 2 sets of pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Mix of big and small goals around the space. All players with balls.

   How to run it: Players shoot at any goal. Coach narrates: 'Ooh, big goal from far — that's a BOOM shot!' or 'Nice, small goal from close — BULLSEYE!'

   • ›Light commentary only — no corrections yet.
   • ›Generate excitement about today's festival.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Superhero Sprint

   8m

   Set up: Players line up on one side of the space with their ball. Cones mark a midfield line.

   How to run it: Coach calls a superhero: 'FLASH!' — sprint-dribble to midfield and back. 'HULK!' — slow powerful dribble with big steps. 'SPIDER-MAN!' — dribble weaving through cones. Mix calls every 45 seconds.

   • ›Flash = fast, light touches.
   • ›Hulk = heavy, deliberate contact — great power-kick prep.
   • ›Keep energy sky-high.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: Double-Points Dash

   12m

   Set up: Each player has a ball. Set four goals: two large (12 yards), two small (6 yards). Large goals worth 1 point, small goals worth 2 points.

   How to run it: Players shoot freely for 90 seconds, then add up their points. Repeat three times. Players must use power for large goals and placement for small goals — coach spot-checks.

   • ›Watch technique, not just score.
   • ›If a player always chooses large goals, gently challenge: 'Can you score a 2-pointer?'
   • ›Praise improvement over raw score.

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

   15m

   Set up: Three 3v3 games. Each pitch has one large goal and one small goal each end. No goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Large goal = 1 point, small goal = 2 points. Play three 5-minute games with team rotations. Coach announces the score after each game to build excitement.

   • ›Encourage creative decision-making — no prescriptive coaching during play.
   • ›Highlight any player who deliberately chooses the harder small goal.
   • ›Keep the atmosphere fun and competitive in equal measure.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: All players in a circle with their ball.

   How to run it: Coach asks: 'Who scored a 2-pointer today?' Big cheer. Everyone gives their neighbour a high-five. Take a team photo if possible.

   • ›Celebrate any player who attempted the harder option.
   • ›End on the highest energy note possible.