Week 4

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble and respond to coach hand signals without stopping.
• ✓Players can dribble to open space rather than crowded areas.
• ✓Players can make eye contact with the coach while dribbling.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player
• 4 colored hand paddles or colored cards

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Scatter cones in clusters so some areas are crowded and some are open.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble. Coach quietly watches who finds open space versus crowded areas. No instruction — natural exploration. Occasionally step into a player's path so they must steer away.

   • ›Natural obstacles prompt heads-up dribbling.
   • ›Note players who stare at the ball constantly for extra attention.
   • ›Keep atmosphere playful — stepping in their path is a game, not a test.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Coach Says (With Hands)

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid, every player has a ball. Coach holds up colored cards.

   How to run it: Players dribble around the grid. Coach holds up a color card — players must dribble to a matching cone color. Then switch to hand signals: arm up = stop, arm left = go left, arm right = go right. Players must look up to see the signals. Give candy-corn praise for every look-up.

   • ›Use exaggerated signals so they are easy to see from a distance.
   • ›Pause signals occasionally to let players settle.
   • ›Cheer loudly when a player correctly responds — positive reinforcement loop.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Owl Eyes Dribble

   12m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Divide into groups of 4-5. Coach stands at one end with numbered fingers (1-5).

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. Coach holds up fingers — players must call out the number while dribbling without stopping. If they can shout the right number, they earn an 'owl feather' (high-five). After a few rounds, hold up two hands with different numbers and ask players to add them. Fun for older 6-7 year olds.

   • ›The cognitive task forces heads up.
   • ›Accept any attempt — the effort to look up is the win.
   • ›Praise players who peek at the fingers quickly and look back down.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Spies

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 pitches. Regular 3v3 with goals. Coach holds up colored cards on the sideline.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. During play, coach holds up a color — any player who spots it and shouts the color earns a bonus point for their team. This naturally encourages heads-up play during the game. Regular goals also count.

   • ›Hold cards up for 5-10 seconds so players have time to spot them.
   • ›Rotate which sideline you stand on to vary where they look.
   • ›Do not disrupt the game — hold cards between plays.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle on grass.

   How to run it: Coach leads 'mirror eyes': coach moves ball left/right/forward slowly, players mirror without looking at their own ball. Just a brief 60-second activity. Then Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Mirror game is short and fun — do not over-explain.
   • ›Celebrate the effort, not the success.
   • ›Remind parents: practicing looking up during dribbling at home is the goal.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can spot a teammate while dribbling and move toward them.
• ✓Players dribble to open space during small-sided games.
• ✓Players begin to anticipate where other players are moving.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 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. Place 4 'treasure boxes' (upturned cones) in the grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble and try to find the hidden treasure boxes. They must look up to spot them. When they find one, they tap it with their foot and shout the color. Pure exploration.

   • ›Searching for hidden objects naturally prompts looking up.
   • ›Add more cones mid-session to maintain interest.
   • ›No instruction needed — the task teaches itself.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Tail Tag

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Every player has a ball AND a pinnie tucked into their shorts as a 'tail.' Players protect their tail while dribbling.

   How to run it: Players dribble and try to pull other players' tails while keeping their own. If your tail is pulled, retrieve it, do 3 toe-taps, and re-join. The player with the most tails collected at the end of 2 minutes wins. Play 3 rounds.

   • ›Tails require looking up to see who to target and who to avoid.
   • ›Praise players who keep the ball close while defending their tail.
   • ›Fast re-entry keeps everyone active.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Traffic Light City

   12m

   Set up: Set up a 'city' in a 20x20 grid: place tall cones as buildings, short cones as pedestrians, hula hoops as roundabouts. Every player has a ball.

   How to run it: Players drive their cars (dribble) through the city. Coach calls traffic signals: 'GREEN' = go fast, 'YELLOW' = slow tiny touches, 'RED' = sole stop. Players must navigate around buildings and other cars without crashing. Add a delivery mission: dribble to a specific building color and honk (shout 'Beep!').

   • ›City navigation requires constant head-up scanning.
   • ›Praise players who avoid collisions with buildings (cones).
   • ›Keep the city theme playful with sound effects.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Festival with Spotting Bonus

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Round-robin 3v3.

   How to run it: 3v3 mini-festival. New bonus: if a player dribbles through a gate (2 cones set up near midfield) they score a bonus point. Gates reward looking up and finding space. Play 4-minute rounds, rotate teams.

   • ›Point out when a player found a gate — make it a moment.
   • ›Encourage teams to work together to create space.
   • ›Keep score loosely — fun over competition.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Each player holds their ball.

   How to run it: Ask players to close their eyes and balance one foot on their ball (with help if needed) for 3 seconds. Then open eyes. Then the Hearts Cheer. Homework reminder.

   • ›Balance on the ball is a fun tactile challenge — no pressure.
   • ›Laughter is the right outcome here.
   • ›Send off with high energy.