Week 47

Outcomes

• ✓Players can name three skills they have learned this year.
• ✓Players demonstrate each recalled skill with at least a basic attempt.
• ✓Players connect their current ability to where they started.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 30 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. Six 'skill signs' (flat cones of different colours) marking skill zones.

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely between skill zones. Each zone has a skill written on the ground with chalk or noted on a nearby card: sole stop, U-turn, speed dribble, pass, dribble-and-shoot, direction change. Players try each zone briefly at their own pace.

   • ›Six zones = the six skill threads of the year — this is intentional.
   • ›No coaching yet — let them explore their own memory.
   • ›Note which skills they remember strongest.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Year in Review Freeze

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Every player with a ball.

   How to run it: Dribble freely. Coach calls a skill from the year. ALL players perform it immediately: 'SOLE STOP!' (everyone sole-stops), 'U-TURN!' (everyone turns), 'PASS IT!' (everyone rolls to nearest person), 'SPEED BURST!' (everyone pushes and sprints 3 steps). Rotate through 6-8 skills rapidly.

   • ›Rapid calling recreates muscle memory across the full year.
   • ›Accept imperfect execution — the recall and attempt is the goal.
   • ›Cheer every response: 'YES! That is a U-turn!'

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Full Year Circuit

   12m

   Set up: 5 stations in a 20x20 grid: 1) Sole Stop Gate (stop inside a 1-yard target zone), 2) U-Turn Slalom (3 cones), 3) Speed Dribble Runway (20 yards), 4) Pass-and-Receive (with a partner), 5) Dribble-and-Shoot (at a mini goal). 2-3 players per station.

   How to run it: Players rotate through all 5 stations, 2 minutes each. Coach visits each station and names the skill: 'This is your sole stop — you learned this at the very start of the year!' Each player completes the circuit once. Applaud the completion of the circuit.

   • ›Naming the history of each skill creates a sense of journey.
   • ›Time the rotation precisely — 2 minutes per station keeps flow.
   • ›Every completed circuit deserves a high-five from the coach.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — All-Skills 3v3

   15m

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

   How to run it: Play 3v3. Coach keeps a tally of every named skill they observe on a notepad. At the end, announce the full tally: 'I saw 7 U-turns, 12 sole stops, 3 give-and-gos — you are the most skilled Little Hearts I have ever seen!' Pure celebration. Rotate every 4 minutes.

   • ›Tallying skills makes the invisible visible and celebrated.
   • ›The grand total announcement at the end is emotionally powerful.
   • ›Every skill counted — even imperfect ones.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Ask each player: 'If you could keep only ONE skill forever, which one?' Accept all answers. Coach closes: 'You have ALL the skills — keep them ALL!' Hearts Cheer.

   • ›The single-skill question sparks genuine reflection at this age.
   • ›Coach's closing statement reframes: they do not have to choose.
   • ›End with individual high-fives and one personal word each.

Outcomes

• ✓Players voluntarily use a variety of skills during free play.
• ✓Players can move fluidly between dribbling, passing, and shooting.
• ✓Players play joyfully and confidently without needing coaching prompts.

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 4 goals at every corner. Balls everywhere.

   How to run it: Players arrive and the game is already on — coach says 'the pitch is live, go play!' Maximum freedom, four goals, lots of balls. No teams, no rules — just football.

   • ›A live pitch on arrival creates instant engagement.
   • ›Watch how freely players now move compared to the start of the year.
   • ›Let this run with zero coaching — observe and smile.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Coach Calls Your Name

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. All players dribbling freely.

   How to run it: Coach calls a player's name and a skill. That player performs it while everyone watches for 5 seconds, then all copy. 'MAYA — U-TURN!' Everyone does U-turns. 'LUCAS — SPEED BURST!' Everyone speed bursts. Rotate through every player. Fast, loud, celebratory.

   • ›Name + skill + group mirror is the ultimate individual celebration.
   • ›Every player gets named — no exceptions, no skipping.
   • ›The group copying says: 'your skill is worth learning.'

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Miniature World Cup Draw

   12m

   Set up: Three mini-pitches. Teams drawn randomly (pick pinnies from a bag). 3 teams of 3-4, round-robin.

   How to run it: Mini World Cup draw! Coach announces teams dramatically. 3-minute games, all teams play each other. Coach commentates using player names and skill names. At half-time of the World Cup, announce the 'Golden Boot' leader (most goals) and the 'Golden Heart' leader (most kind/brave moments). Both are equally celebrated.

   • ›Golden Heart award normalises valuing character over scoring.
   • ›Commentary mentioning player names by name makes every child feel seen.
   • ›Random team draws ensure everyone plays with different teammates.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Greatest Hits Free Festival

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 pitches. Free play, no special rules.

   How to run it: Pure free-play festival. Coach watches, celebrates, and narrates beautiful moments. No stoppages for coaching, no special rules — just the best possible football these Little Hearts can play. After the final whistle, announce the group's greatest hits: 'I saw three give-and-gos, five brave shots, and so many smiles.'

   • ›Hands-off coaching here is intentional — trust what you have built.
   • ›Narrate freely but do not instruct.
   • ›The greatest hits announcement is a gift — give it with full feeling.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Big circle.

   How to run it: Ask: 'What was your greatest hit of the whole YEAR?' Take 3-4 answers. Coach closes: 'My greatest hit was watching all of you become Little Footballers.' Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Coach sharing their own greatest hit makes the relationship mutual.
   • ›Choose a genuine memory — authenticity lands.
   • ›End with individual hugs or high-fives — whatever feels right for your group.