Week 45

Outcomes

• ✓Players can name one skill they feel proud of.
• ✓Players can demonstrate that skill confidently for a partner.
• ✓Players can coach a partner through one tip to improve the skill.

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. No additional setup — open canvas.

   How to run it: Players arrive and coach asks: 'Show me your best move — anything you have learned this year!' Full freedom. Coach watches and takes mental note of each player's strongest skill. High energy, no structure.

   • ›The open invitation shows every skill is valued equally.
   • ›Watch carefully — this informs which players you pair together later.
   • ›Every demonstration gets a cheer.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Skills Auction

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Players spread out, each with a ball.

   How to run it: Coach calls out a skill: 'Sole stop! U-turn! Speed dribble! Inside-of-foot pass!' Players perform each skill for 20 seconds. After each skill, players raise their hand if they feel confident. Coach notes the results. Final round: each player picks their OWN skill and performs it solo while others watch for 5 seconds each.

   • ›Solo performances before the group build confidence in a safe environment.
   • ›Never pick a skill that embarrasses — every chosen skill is celebrated.
   • ›5 seconds per player keeps it brisk and fair.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Skill Station Circuit

   12m

   Set up: Set up 5 stations around a 20x20 grid: 1) Sole stop at a cone, 2) U-turn gate, 3) Speed dribble runway, 4) Pass-and-receive with a partner, 5) Dribble-and-shoot. 2-3 players per station.

   How to run it: Players rotate through all 5 stations spending 2 minutes each. At each station they do their personal best version of the skill. No targets or times — just quality and fun. On rotation, shout: 'STATION SWITCH!' and celebrate their move before they move on.

   • ›Circuit lets each player shine at multiple skills — their full year in miniature.
   • ›Visit each station once — a brief 'beautiful!' is enough.
   • ›Celebrate both the beginner and the expert version of each skill equally.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Show-Off 3v3

   15m

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

   How to run it: Play 3v3. New rule: 'Showtime Call' — any player can shout 'SHOWTIME!' before doing their best skill move. If they complete the move, their team gets a skill point. Coach narrates every showtime call. Rotate every 4 minutes.

   • ›Showtime Call makes skill usage a brave and celebrated act.
   • ›Coach narrates the skill name when it happens: 'U-turn — SHOWTIME!'
   • ›Celebrate the attempt regardless of the outcome.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Each player tells the group their ONE best skill of the year. Coach echoes it back: 'Maya's skill is the U-turn!' Group repeats it. Then Hearts Cheer. Homework builds on their identified skill.

   • ›Naming their skill publicly builds identity and ownership.
   • ›Coach echoing it back validates and remembers it for the showcase next session.
   • ›Note every player's named skill to celebrate in the showcase.

Outcomes

• ✓Players perform their chosen skill confidently in front of the group.
• ✓Players cheer supportively for every teammate's showcase performance.
• ✓Players feel proud of their growth through the year.

Equipment

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

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid with balls. A 'stage' (4x4 yard square) marked in the centre with flat cones.

   How to run it: Players arrive and warm up by dribbling freely, occasionally stepping into the stage and doing their best skill. No pressure — the stage is optional. Coach hypes it: 'The stage is hot today — are you ready?'

   • ›The stage in the middle normalises performing for others before the formal showcase.
   • ›Any player who steps on stage gets a big cheer from you.
   • ›Keep warm-up energy exciting — this is a special day.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Team Skill Parade

   8m

   Set up: Teams line up loosely side by side. The whole group is the audience for each other.

   How to run it: Each TEAM performs a 30-second group skill parade: they dribble together in a pack doing the same silly move (coach suggests: all sole-stop, all U-turn, all speed dribble). The watching teams clap in rhythm. Rotate until all teams have performed.

   • ›Group performance before individual reduces showcase nerves.
   • ›Clapping in rhythm from the crowd is a joyful community moment.
   • ›Coach picks the silliest possible move for maximum laughs.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — The Showcase Stage

   12m

   Set up: Centre stage (4x4 cones). All players sit in a circle around it. One ball in the centre.

   How to run it: One at a time, each player steps onto the stage and performs their named skill from last session. The group counts them in: '3... 2... 1... SHOWTIME!' Then erupts in cheers regardless of outcome. Coach announces their skill name with fanfare. Award each player a sticker or badge for their showcase. Take 12 minutes — about 30 seconds per player.

   • ›Every performance gets EXACTLY the same level of applause — no favourites.
   • ›Coach stands next to the performing player to provide physical support.
   • ›If a player is shy, they can do their skill while standing beside the coach.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Showcase Free Play

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. Teams play freely in 3v3 round-robin.

   How to run it: Showcase Free Play: players can try ANY skill during the games. No rules, no special bonuses — just joyful play showing everything they have learned. Coach circulates praising specific skills by name when they appear: 'That was a U-turn — just like your showcase!'

   • ›Naming the skill mid-game connects the showcase identity to live play.
   • ›Keep the atmosphere celebratory — this is the last free-play before the finale.
   • ›Let the games run with minimal interruption.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: All together in one circle. Stickers already awarded.

   How to run it: Go around the circle: each player says one thing they LOVED about today. Coach adds one more: 'I loved watching EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.' Hearts Cheer — loudest one yet. Individual high-fives as parents collect players.

   • ›Every spoken love is cheered — generosity of spirit is the lesson.
   • ›Coach's personal statement of love for the group matters enormously.
   • ›Individual farewell moment as each child leaves — make eye contact and smile.