Week 43

Outcomes

• ✓Players can dribble at a goal and shoot with the inside of the foot.
• ✓Players can perform a simple stop-and-shoot close to goal.
• ✓Players can choose when to shoot rather than always dribbling past the goal.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 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. Place 4 pop-up goals scattered around the grid facing different directions.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely, shooting at any goal they like from any angle. Maximum shots, maximum touches. No goalkeeper — every shot is an adventure.

   • ›No coaching yet — let them discover shooting for themselves.
   • ›Celebrate every shot, even if it misses wildly.
   • ›Four open goals mean there is always a shot opportunity.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Shooting Gallery

   8m

   Set up: Players line up loosely (NOT in a queue — spread out) 8 yards from a goal. Coach rolls a ball to each player in turn.

   How to run it: Coach rolls a ball gently to each player — they must dribble two touches and shoot. After shooting, they run to the back of the loose group. Rotate through 3-4 times. Add a 'power shot' call (kick hard) and a 'tricky shot' call (sole stop then poke in) for variety.

   • ›Two dribble touches before shooting links dribble-to-finish.
   • ›Praise any shot that is on target — do not focus on power at this age.
   • ›Keep the flow fast — no waiting.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Dribble Gate Shoot

   12m

   Set up: Place a cone gate (2 yards wide) 6 yards from each of 4 pop-up goals. Every player has a ball.

   How to run it: Players dribble through the gate, then immediately shoot at the goal. They must go THROUGH the gate before shooting — this structures the dribble-then-shoot sequence. Count personal scores. After 90 seconds, rotate to a different gate-goal pair. Celebrate every goal with a team-agreed celebration (team decides what it is).

   • ›The gate focuses attention on the approach — quality before the shot.
   • ›Cue 'through the gate THEN look at the goal — SHOOT!'
   • ›Allow left AND right foot shots — variety is celebrated.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Dribble-Then-Score

   15m

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

   How to run it: Play 3v3. Any goal scored after the shooter dribbled at least 2 yards toward goal (observed by coach) earns a 'Drive Goal' — coach announces it. Tap-in goals and passed goals count but get no special title. Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

   • ›Drive Goals recognise the dribble-to-finish chain without making it mandatory.
   • ›Point out: 'They dribbled all the way and scored — DRIVE GOAL!'
   • ›Keep the game flowing — no pauses to deliberate on whether a drive happened.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Coach places a ball in the middle.

   How to run it: Each player takes one dribble and then shoots the central ball gently toward the group — everyone stops it with their feet together as a team block. Laughs guaranteed. Hearts Cheer.

   • ›The group block creates a shared silly moment to end on.
   • ›Keep it fast — shoot, laugh, cheer, done.
   • ›Remind players of the at-home challenge.

Outcomes

• ✓Players shoot confidently without hesitation when close to goal.
• ✓Players can follow up a missed shot with a second attempt.
• ✓Players celebrate every goal — their own and teammates'.

Equipment

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

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Four goals placed around a 20x20 grid. Balls everywhere.

   How to run it: Players arrive, pick a ball, and shoot at goals freely. Maximum chaos, maximum goals. No rules — just the joy of scoring.

   • ›Shoot-fest energy sets the tone immediately.
   • ›Cheer every goal enthusiastically from the sideline.
   • ›Let the chaos run — it is intentional.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Pinball Wizard

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Place 6 goals facing different directions. All players have a ball each.

   How to run it: Players are pinballs — dribble anywhere and shoot at any goal the moment they see one open. After shooting, collect the ball and find another goal. No turns, no lines — pure shooting movement. Coach counts total goals by the whole group: 'Can we get 50 goals before time is up?'

   • ›Counting group total creates collective mission without competition.
   • ›Encourage rebounding: if you miss, follow up the shot.
   • ›No goalkeeper in any goal — scoring should feel easy and joyful.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Combination Shoot-Off

   12m

   Set up: Two goals 15 yards apart on a 20x12 grid. Players pair up.

   How to run it: Pairs take turns: Player A passes to Player B who has run forward, B dribbles 2 touches and shoots. Then swap — B passes, A runs and shoots. Count combined goals per pair in 2 minutes. Celebrate pairs who beat their own record in the second round. The record-breaking gets a group celebration.

   • ›Pass-run-shoot sequence is the combine they have been building toward all quarter.
   • ›Applaud the pass AND the shot — both players contributed.
   • ›If a pair misses a lot, encourage following up the rebound.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Shoot-Fest Finals

   15m

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

   How to run it: 3v3 festival. Announce after each round how many total goals were scored across all pitches — try to beat the previous round's total as a whole group. Coach adds an extra neutral ball to a pitch if a game gets slow. Rotate teams every 4 minutes.

   • ›Group goal total shifts mindset from beating opponents to collective achievement.
   • ›Extra ball injection is a coaching tool — use it to boost a quiet team.
   • ›Rotate pitches and opponents for maximum variety.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Ask: 'What was your favourite goal today — yours or a teammate's?' Accept all answers with a cheer. Then each player mimes their celebration in slow motion. Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Asking about a teammate's goal builds generosity of spirit.
   • ›Slow-motion celebrations get big laughs and end the session on joy.
   • ›Individual high-five as each player leaves — use their name.