Week 3

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble through a line of cones using small touches.
• ✓Players can keep the ball within one step of their feet while dribbling.
• ✓Players can alternate feet when tapping the ball in place.

Equipment

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

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Set up 4 short cone gates (2 cones, 1 yard apart) scattered around a 20x20 grid.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely, trying to pass through gates. No rules — just explore. Coach models going through a gate with tiny taps.

   • ›Demonstrate small touches versus big kicks visually.
   • ›Let players figure out how to fit through gates on their own first.
   • ›High-five every player who navigates a gate.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Ant Parade

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid, every player has a ball. No extra setup needed.

   How to run it: Players are ants carrying a crumb (the ball). Ants take tiny steps — tap tap tap — keeping the ball right under their nose. Coach calls 'BIG ANT!' for bigger steps and 'BABY ANT!' for the tiniest taps imaginable. Finish with 'ANT PARADE' — everyone taps in a circle together.

   • ›Look for players kicking the ball too far ahead — cue 'keep it under your chin!'
   • ›Praise any use of the inside or top of the foot.
   • ›Use the ant metaphor consistently to reinforce light, frequent touches.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Wizard Gate Dribble

   12m

   Set up: Set 8 cone gates (each 1 yard wide) around a 20x20 grid. Each player has a ball.

   How to run it: Players are wizards and each gate is a magic portal. Dribble through as many portals as possible in 60 seconds — count them out loud. Whoever goes through the most gets to be 'Grand Wizard' and pick the next animal everyone dribbles like. Repeat 3-4 times with new animals.

   • ›Cue 'small touches to fit through the narrow gate.'
   • ›Encourage players to scan for open gates.
   • ›Celebrate creative animal movements.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Gate Goals

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 pitches. Instead of regular goals, each end has two cone gates (1 yard wide, 3 yards apart). Score by dribbling through a gate — no shots needed.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. Score by dribbling through either gate at the opponent's end. The dribbling-through rule encourages small touches near goal. Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

   • ›Gate goals force close control — praise players who slow down to score.
   • ›Encourage teammates to call for the ball.
   • ›Keep restarts fast to maximize touches.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Each player taps the ball side to side with both feet (seated or standing).

   How to run it: Coach leads 'Ball Juggling Sit-Down': seated, players tap ball left-right alternating feet for 10 taps. Count together. Finish with Hearts Cheer and homework.

   • ›Celebrate effort regardless of coordination level.
   • ›Encourage parents watching to count along.
   • ›Keep it calm — transition to end of session.

Outcomes

• ✓Players consistently dribble with small touches rather than kicking and chasing.
• ✓Players can navigate around moving players without losing the ball.
• ✓Players use both feet when dribbling freely.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 30 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. Coach sets up a zigzag of 5 cones as a 'snake path.'

   How to run it: Players arrive and try to dribble through the snake path. Let them experiment — no coaching yet. If they finish, they set the cones back up and go again.

   • ›Watch to see if players kick and chase or take small touches.
   • ›Let the task naturally prompt close control.
   • ›Encourage multiple attempts.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Bumper Cars

   8m

   Set up: 15x15 grid. Every player has a ball.

   How to run it: Players are bumper cars — dribble around without crashing (touching another player or their ball). If you bump, both players freeze and do 5 toe-taps together before rejoining. Coach narrates: 'Watch out, bumper cars everywhere!' Shrink the grid by 2 yards each minute to increase traffic.

   • ›Cue 'heads up to see other cars coming!'
   • ›Praise players who slow down to avoid collisions.
   • ›Shrinking grid forces smaller touches.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Ninja Ball Collector

   12m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Place 15 flat cones spread across the grid as 'ninja coins.' Each player has a ball.

   How to run it: Players are ninjas who must dribble to a coin, stop the ball on it with their sole, then pick up the cone and carry it back to their 'ninja base' (hula hoop). Most coins collected wins. Everyone must keep their ball moving — no stopping without a sole stop. Coach adds coins back in so the game never ends.

   • ›Encourages scanning, dribbling, and stopping all at once.
   • ›Praise the ball control near the coin.
   • ›If a player drops a cone, they just go get it — no penalty.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Festival Rounds

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Round-robin with 4-minute games.

   How to run it: 3v3 regular play. Coach counts and announces total goals across all pitches after each round. Encourage players to dribble before shooting. Between rounds, coach asks one player from each team: 'Show me your best tiny-touch dribble!'

   • ›Keep transitions between rounds under 60 seconds.
   • ›Celebrate all goals equally.
   • ›Model tiny touches yourself in demonstrations.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle on the grass.

   How to run it: Ask players to teach their ball a trick they made up this week (roll it, spin it, tap it). Each player shows one move — the group copies. Hearts Cheer. Homework reminder.

   • ›Validate every trick — creativity is the goal.
   • ›This builds ownership and love of the ball.
   • ›Note standout moments to text parents afterward.