Week 42

Outcomes

• ✓Players can identify a free teammate and move the ball toward them.
• ✓Players can call for the ball by name and show a hand signal.
• ✓Players experience the satisfaction of combining with a teammate to score.

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 everywhere. A 'friend zone' square (4x4 yards) marked in the middle with cones.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely. When they enter the friend zone, they must give their ball to a friend already inside the zone and run out. If alone in the zone, they dribble out again. Playful, social, and chaotic — just how it should be.

   • ›Friend zone creates organic ball-sharing moments.
   • ›Celebrate any moment a player gives their ball to someone else.
   • ›Keep the mood warm and welcoming — Q4 is a celebration quarter.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Shout and Receive

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Groups of 3, two balls per group, players spaced in a triangle 5 yards apart.

   How to run it: One player in the triangle has no ball. The two players with balls take turns passing to the player in the middle — but only when the middle player shouts their own name AND waves their hand at the same time. If they do not shout and wave, the passer keeps dribbling. Rotate the middle player every 30 seconds.

   • ›Calling and signalling is as important as receiving — both get praised.
   • ›Pairs with no middle player just practise giving and getting back.
   • ›Energy and noise are encouraged — shouting names is the whole point.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Three-Colour Sprint

   12m

   Set up: Three teams of 3-4 players, each team a different pinnie colour. 20x20 grid with 6 small goals (2 per team colour).

   How to run it: Each team can only score in their own colour goals. But here is the twist: to score, the ball must be passed by a teammate at least once — a solo dribble into goal does not count (just roll it back out). Players learn to find each other because they NEED to pass. Rotate goals after 3 minutes so teams defend new targets.

   • ›The must-pass rule creates a real reason to look for a teammate.
   • ›Praise any pass that leads to a goal attempt — outcome matters less.
   • ›If a player is really stuck on dribbling, let them score solo too — inclusivity first.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Teammate Tag

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 mini-pitches. Goals at each end.

   How to run it: Play 3v3. New team rule: before shooting, a player must touch a teammate's shoulder (the 'tag') to signal the move. The tagged teammate runs to support. This is a silly physical version of combined play. Goals after the tag count double. Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

   • ›The shoulder tag is a playful way to enforce communication.
   • ›Celebrate the tag as much as the goal.
   • ›No goalkeeper — maximum touches for everyone.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Each player sits next to someone they passed to today.

   How to run it: Coach asks: 'Who did you pass to today? Give them a high-five!' Then group high-ten: everyone puts both hands up and walks to the middle. Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Naming the person you passed to deepens the social connection.
   • ›The group high-ten is a joyful ritual — do it with energy.
   • ›Remind parents: looking for a friend to pass to is the homework theme.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can name at least one teammate they combined with during the festival.
• ✓Players celebrate a teammate's goal as warmly as their own.
• ✓Players attempt to play with a teammate rather than going alone, at least once per game.

Equipment

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

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Two hula hoops as 'team nests' at either end of a 20x20 grid. Balls inside nests.

   How to run it: Teams (by pinnie colour) collect balls from the neutral zone and bring them back to their nest — but they can only carry one ball at a time per player. They must pass to a teammate to collect two at once. Playful chaos, no structure needed.

   • ›Nest game sparks natural teamwork without coaching.
   • ›Greet everyone enthusiastically — festival energy today.
   • ›Do not add rules — let it develop organically.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Pairs Dribble Rescue

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Players pair up, one ball per pair. Two 'rescue stations' (hula hoops) at either end.

   How to run it: One partner dribbles; the other runs alongside as a 'shadow.' Coach shouts 'RESCUE!' — the dribbler passes to the shadow who dribbles to the nearest rescue station and back. Swap roles on return. Repeat 6-8 times. Pairs count their successful rescues.

   • ›Running alongside without the ball is the movement pattern of good teamwork.
   • ›Shadow player should be close enough to receive instantly.
   • ›Celebrate pairs with the most rescues loudly.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — 3v3 Partnership Points

   12m

   Set up: One 20x15 yard pitch, three teams of 3. Two teams play while one rests. Small goals at each end.

   How to run it: 3v3 games where partnership points are awarded: 1 point per goal, PLUS 1 bonus point if a different player scored the previous goal for the team (shows spreading the scoring around). Teams earn more by involving all players. Switch teams every 3 minutes.

   • ›Bonus points incentivise looking for the unmarked player.
   • ›Coach narrates bonus points live: 'Different scorer — bonus point!'
   • ›Rest team cheers for both teams — build generous culture.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Festival Finals

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Round-robin festival, 4-minute rounds. Post 'team names' (silly animals) on each pitch.

   How to run it: Each team picks a silly animal name before the festival. Play 3 rounds of 3v3. After each round, coach announces the 'Best Teammate Moment' — one instance of great combined play they witnessed. The named players do a victory lap. No losers, every team gets at least one mention.

   • ›Best Teammate Moment shifts focus from score to connection.
   • ›Rotate pitches and opponents each round for variety.
   • ›Energy should be celebratory — this is a festival!

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: All players gather in one big circle.

   How to run it: Coach names each player and everyone cheers for them once. Then: 'On three, let us cheer for TEAMMATES!' — everyone shouts together. Hearts Cheer. Homework reminder.

   • ›Naming every player individually takes 2 minutes — worth every second.
   • ›The collective cheer is emotionally powerful for young children.
   • ›End with smiles, high-fives, and energy.