Week 41

Outcomes

• ✓Players can pass to a partner and immediately run to a new spot.
• ✓Players can call for the ball using their name or a shout.
• ✓Players enjoy the give-and-go as a trick to beat a pretend defender.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 24 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player (4 colors)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid with balls scattered. Two 'relay posts' (tall cones) in the middle.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely. Encourage any pair to try: pass to the relay post (as if a friend is standing there) then run around it. Pure exploration of the pass-and-move idea. Coach models it once with exaggerated running.

   • ›The relay post gives lone players a solo version of the give-and-go.
   • ›Praise anyone who runs after their pass — 'You kept going! Smart!'
   • ›No obligation — dribbling solo is equally fine.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Boomerang Pairs

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Players pair up, standing 4 yards apart. One ball per pair.

   How to run it: Player A passes to Player B — the ball is the boomerang. As soon as A passes, they sprint 3 steps sideways to a new spot and shout their own name. B rolls the ball back to where A has moved. Repeat, with A and B swapping the pass each time. Coach counts rhythm: 'PASS — MOVE — BACK!' Do 10 rounds then swap partners.

   • ›The sprint sideways after passing is the key habit — praise any movement at all.
   • ›Shouting your own name helps the passer know where to return it.
   • ›Keep pace lively — stop-and-think breaks the flow.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Cone Relay Wall Pass

   12m

   Set up: Set up 5 pairs of cones 8 yards apart as 'wall pass gates' in a 20x20 grid. Players pair up, one ball per pair.

   How to run it: Pairs play wall-pass tag: Player A dribbles toward a gate, passes through the gate to Player B (who runs to the other side of the gate), and A sprints through to receive the return pass. Each completed gate pair earns 1 point. Visit all 5 gates. Swap who starts with the ball each round. Repeat 3 rounds.

   • ›The gate makes the wall-pass route obvious — it is a tunnel to run through.
   • ›Celebrate the completion, not the technique — clean or messy, it counts.
   • ›If a pair struggles, widen the gate to 2 yards.

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

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 mini-pitches. Goals at each end. No goalkeeper.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. New rule: a 'Boomerang Goal' (pass to a teammate, receive the return, then score) counts as 2 points and earns a team celebration dance. Regular goals count 1. Coach calls 'BOOMERANG!' when it happens. Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

   • ›Do not force the Boomerang — it should happen naturally as players want the bonus.
   • ›Narrate when a player passes and then keeps running: 'Look — they are still going!'
   • ›Keep restarts fast with a roll-in from the sideline.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Partners sit together.

   How to run it: Each pair does one slow-motion give-and-go for the group — exaggerate the sprint after the pass. Everyone narrates: 'GIVE — SPRINT — GET!' Then Hearts Cheer and homework reminder.

   • ›Slow motion makes the mechanics visible to everyone.
   • ›Ham it up — kids love exaggerated demonstrations.
   • ›Close with calm and smiles.

Outcomes

• ✓Players move after a pass without being told to.
• ✓Players can complete a give-and-go against a passive defender.
• ✓Players recognise when to use the give-and-go and when to dribble on.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 24 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player (4 colors)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid with balls and cones. Coach sets up 3 wall-pass gates.

   How to run it: Players arrive and pair up at gates. They try the give-and-go through each gate freely, then move to the next gate. Solo players dribble freely. No pressure — just touching the ball.

   • ›Gates give pairs a clear task from the moment they arrive.
   • ›Celebrate any attempt, completed or not.
   • ›Greet every player loudly and with energy.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Shadow Passing

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Players pair up, one ball per pair, partners 4 yards apart. One slow defender (coach helper or parent volunteer) per pair.

   How to run it: Player A and Player B pass between each other while the slow defender walks (not runs) between them trying to intercept. Pairs must time passes to avoid the defender. Any successful pass past the defender earns a point. Swap defenders every 90 seconds.

   • ›Walking defenders create just enough pressure to make timing matter.
   • ›Cue 'pass when the defender is away, not toward them!'
   • ›Praise the decision, not just the outcome.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — 2v1 Give-and-Go Islands

   12m

   Set up: Set up 4 mini 2v1 zones (8x6 yards each) across a 20x20 grid. Each zone has 2 attackers and 1 passive defender.

   How to run it: In each zone, the 2 attackers try to use a give-and-go to get past the passive defender (who can only shuffle, not sprint). If they beat the defender, they dribble to a mini goal and score. Rotate roles every 3 attempts. Coach visits each zone to encourage and celebrate.

   • ›Passive defenders give just enough obstacle without frustrating young players.
   • ›Cue the passer: 'Give it and GO — find the space!'
   • ›If a pair just dribbles through, that is fine too — celebrate creativity.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Festival Rounds

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Round-robin 3v3, 4-minute rounds.

   How to run it: 3v3 mini-festival. Coach circulates and calls out 'BOOMERANG!' each time a give-and-go happens. At the end of each round, ask each team to name the best Boomerang they did. Award imaginary trophies with full ceremony. Play 3 rounds.

   • ›Naming best moments builds shared memory and pride.
   • ›All teams receive an imaginary trophy — no losers.
   • ›Keep games flowing with instant restarts after goals.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Ask: 'What happens after you pass the ball?' Accept all answers and guide toward 'I run to a new spot!' Do it in mime together. Hearts Cheer. Homework reminder.

   • ›The mime version reinforces the idea without a ball.
   • ›Keep Q&A under 60 seconds — the cheer and send-off matter most.
   • ›Individual high-fives as players leave.