Week 31

Outcomes

• ✓Players can attempt a change-of-direction move against a single defender.
• ✓Players can keep the ball when a defender is nearby.
• ✓Players can shoot confidently after beating a defender.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 6 small flat-cone goals
• 16 cones
• pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Three goals around the space. Players each with a ball.

   How to run it: Coach stands near one goal and acts as a soft, passive defender. Players try to get past and shoot. Coach lets most through — just enough presence to make it interesting.

   • ›Make defenders very passive — build confidence, not fear.
   • ›Praise any attempt to go past.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: Shadow Dribbling

   8m

   Set up: Pairs spread out across the area. No goals. One ball between two.

   How to run it: Player with the ball dribbles anywhere; partner follows directly behind (shadowsing). On coach's whistle, they swap. Players try to lose their shadow by changing direction. Three swaps per minute.

   • ›Close ball control — the shadow must keep up.
   • ›Encourage quick changes of direction.
   • ›Both players should have fun — shadow isn't trying to tackle yet.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: 1v1 Island

   12m

   Set up: Six 1v1 islands: each a 6x6 yard box with a small goal at one end. One attacker and one defender per island. Others wait at the side (max one waiting).

   How to run it: Attacker starts with the ball on the opposite side from the goal. They try to dribble past the defender and shoot. Defender tries to win the ball. 30-second go, then rotate attacker out and the waiting player comes in as attacker. Defender stays until they defend three times.

   • ›Encourage attackers to use one directional fake before going.
   • ›Defenders should stay on their feet — no diving in.
   • ›Celebrate goals and great defending equally.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games: 2v1 to 3v3

   15m

   Set up: Start with 2v1 on a 12x8 yard pitch — two attackers vs one defender. Rotate to 3v3 after 8 minutes.

   How to run it: 2v1: two attackers try to score against one defender. Attacker with ball can always drive at goal or pass to teammate. Rotate roles every 2 minutes. After 8 minutes, switch to 3v3 for two 4-minute games.

   • ›In 2v1, encourage the ball-carrier to commit the defender before passing.
   • ›In 3v3, praise players who drive at defenders.
   • ›No long lectures — keep playing.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players sit in a circle.

   How to run it: Coach demonstrates the 'step-over fake' slowly — left, right, go. Players copy with their ball while sitting. Give everyone a sticker or stamp for trying. Club cheer to finish.

   • ›Slow demo — the move, not speed.
   • ›Reinforce: even if they don't do it perfectly, the attempt is brave.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can attempt to beat a defender in a live game.
• ✓Players can recover quickly when they lose the ball.
• ✓Players can cheer for teammates' individual efforts.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 8 small flat-cone goals
• 20 cones
• 2 sets of pinnies

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: All goals up. Balls available. Coach plays light passive defence near any goal.

   How to run it: Players come in and try to beat the coach to score. Coach backs off when player commits. Playful narrative: 'Can you beat the grumpy coach?!'

   • ›Be dramatically bad at defending — let them win often.
   • ›React with exaggerated defeat when they score.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game: King/Queen of the Ring

   8m

   Set up: All players in the 20x20 yard area, each with a ball.

   How to run it: Players try to kick each other's balls out while keeping their own in. Last player with their ball inside is King or Queen of the Ring. Play three quick rounds.

   • ›Shield the ball — body between defender and ball.
   • ›Eyes up to find targets while protecting.
   • ›Keep rounds under 90 seconds so everyone stays engaged.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game: 1v1 Tournament

   12m

   Set up: Six small 1v1 arenas, each with one goal. Players pair up across arenas.

   How to run it: 30-second 1v1 matches — whoever scores most wins that mini-bout. Winners move clockwise to the next arena, losers stay and get a new challenger. Play six rounds.

   • ›No long waits — pairings shuffle every 30 seconds.
   • ›Encourage every attempt even if they don't score.
   • ›No score tracking overall — fun, not ranking.

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

   15m

   Set up: Three 3v3 games on small pitches. Goals each end. No goalkeepers.

   How to run it: Play three 5-minute games. Bonus: if a player beats an opponent in a 1v1 duel before scoring, the whole team gets an extra cheer. Rotate teams after each game.

   • ›Point out 1v1 duels as they happen: 'Here she goes — can she do it?!'
   • ›Celebrate the attempt as much as the outcome.
   • ›Maintain fast restarts.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Players circle up with their ball.

   How to run it: Each player names one player who tried a brave dribble today. That player stands and takes a bow. Finish with a full-team hand-stack and club cheer.

   • ›Ensure every player gets named or praised at least once.
   • ›End with high energy and big smiles.