Week 44

Outcomes

• ✓Players can play in a team for a full 4-minute game without stopping.
• ✓Players can shake hands with the other team after a game.
• ✓Players can support a teammate when things do not go their way.

Equipment

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

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid with balls. Teams (by pinnie colour) warm up together.

   How to run it: Teams arrive and play freely as a group. Coach introduces the tournament idea: 'Today you are a real team — pick a team name!' Teams huddle for 30 seconds and shout their name. Lots of noise and excitement.

   • ›Team name ownership is powerful at this age — any name goes.
   • ›Keep the announcement energy high: 'Three... two... one... team name!'
   • ›Greet every player and build anticipation for the tournament.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Team Juggle Circle

   8m

   Set up: Each team stands in a small circle with one ball. 20x20 grid divided into team zones.

   How to run it: Teams keep the ball moving inside their circle — pass it around, dribble in and out, try to keep it moving for 60 seconds without it leaving the circle. Coach times each team. Teams do 3 rounds, trying to beat their own time. Then do a 'wacky warm-up lap' together (silly run around their cone zone).

   • ›Circle passing builds team cohesion before competition begins.
   • ›The wacky lap is the team bonding ritual — commit to the silliness.
   • ›Every team beats their own time at least once — nudge the timer if needed.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Tournament Rules Walkthrough

   12m

   Set up: One 15x10 pitch. Two teams play a demonstration game while others watch.

   How to run it: Walk through tournament rules in a 6-minute demo game: goals count 1, restarts from centre after a goal (team that did not score kicks off), ball out = coach rolls back in, handshake at the end. Let the demo teams play freely — coach narrates rules live. Then swap teams for another 6-minute demo.

   • ›Demo game teaches rules better than any lecture at this age.
   • ›Narrate loudly so watching players absorb the rules by hearing them applied.
   • ›Handshake at the end — model it yourself with a player first.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Round 1 Mini-Tournament

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Four teams; one team rests each round. Round-robin format, 5-minute games.

   How to run it: Play the first 3 tournament games. Coach circulates and narrates. After each game, both teams give a cheer for each other. The resting team cheers for both playing teams. After all three games, announce a half-time with a team huddle and water break.

   • ›Cheering for the other team is taught, not assumed — model it.
   • ›Keep score visible but downplay it — focus on fun and fair play.
   • ›Celebrate great moments from all teams equally.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: All teams gather in one circle.

   How to run it: Coach awards the 'Hearts Award' to one player from EACH team for something kind or brave they did — not for goals. Present with ceremony. Hearts Cheer. Tomorrow there are more games!

   • ›Hearts Awards normalise valuing sportsmanship over scoring.
   • ›Make the presentation feel important — bend a knee, announce formally.
   • ›Every player gets a sticker or stamp regardless of result.

Outcomes

• ✓Players play their best in the final tournament games.
• ✓Players congratulate the other team after every game.
• ✓Players feel proud of what their team achieved this tournament.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 24 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player (4 colors)
• Medals or stickers for every player
• A 'trophy' (any cup or bottle will do)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Teams warm up in their zones with free dribbling and passing.

   How to run it: Teams arrive and do their team chant together (from the homework). Coach hypes up the 'Finals Day' with commentary: 'Welcome to the Austin Hearts Little Cup!' Players dribble freely with their team around their zone.

   • ›Festival-day energy starts from the first moment — be louder than usual.
   • ›If a team did not make a chant, invent one on the spot together.
   • ›Make every player feel like a star today.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Team Relay

   8m

   Set up: Four relay lanes, one per team. Each lane is 20 yards with a cone at the far end.

   How to run it: Teams relay dribble: Player 1 dribbles to the cone, sole stops, and sprints back — tags Player 2 who goes next. First team to have every player finish gets a team point. Play 3 rounds. Teams get faster each round.

   • ›Relay builds team cohesion and shared purpose.
   • ›Encourage teammates cheering each other during each leg.
   • ›Every team wins at least one round — manage timing gently.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Tournament Round 2

   12m

   Set up: Three 12x10 pitches. Continue round-robin from last session, 4-minute games.

   How to run it: Play the remaining tournament games. Coach keeps running totals on a cone-scoreboard (cones laid flat = goals). Between games, teams huddle for a 30-second team talk — what will they do differently? Coach sits with each team briefly during huddles.

   • ›Team huddles create agency and decision-making practice.
   • ›Avoid coaching tactics in huddles — ask questions instead: 'What worked?'
   • ›Acknowledge both teams after each game with equal enthusiasm.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Finals and Awards

   15m

   Set up: One 15x10 final pitch plus two smaller consolation pitches.

   How to run it: Top 2 teams by points play the final. Bottom 2 teams play the consolation (equally celebrated!). Both games run simultaneously for 8 minutes. Then: all four teams gather for the award ceremony. Coach presents the trophy to the winning team AND immediately presents a 'Biggest Hearts' trophy to another team for spirit. Every player gets a medal/sticker.

   • ›Both trophies carry equal weight — set this up honestly and with feeling.
   • ›The ceremony is THE moment — make it slow, grand, and joyful.
   • ›Every single player receives individual recognition.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: All players in one big circle.

   How to run it: Each player shouts one word that describes today. Then: 'Three... two... one... HEARTS!' — the biggest Hearts Cheer of the season so far. Individual high-fives as players leave, with one specific compliment for each child.

   • ›One word each is fast and inclusive — even shy players can do this.
   • ›The big cheer is the emotional high-point — commit to it fully.
   • ›Specific farewell compliments are the most powerful coaching moment of the session.