Week 48

Outcomes

• ✓Players attempt at least two passes in each small-sided game.
• ✓Players celebrate a teammate scoring from their pass as a personal achievement.
• ✓Players understand that passing is choosing the team over themselves.

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. Balls in the centre. Players arrive and explore freely.

   How to run it: Players arrive and the coach challenges: 'See how many people you can pass to before I blow the whistle!' No structure — just the social energy of trying to find every teammate for a pass. Coach blows after 4 minutes.

   • ›Finding everyone to pass to creates immediate connection.
   • ›Count how many players each child reaches — celebrate the most connected players.
   • ›Keep the tone playful: 'Did you find everyone? Go faster!'

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Heartbeat Passes

   8m

   Set up: Players in groups of 4 in a square (5x5 yards). One ball per group.

   How to run it: Pass the ball around the square. Each time the ball completes a full circuit (everyone has touched it once), the group gives a 'heartbeat': everyone puts their fist on their chest and beats it once. Count heartbeats in 2 minutes. Groups compete against their own record. Beat it? A group cheer!

   • ›Heartbeat ritual creates collective rhythm and purpose.
   • ›Count heartbeats out loud with the group — involvement deepens the experience.
   • ›Faster passing = more heartbeats = more joy.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Relay Pass Race

   12m

   Set up: Four relay lanes (one per team). Each lane is 20 yards. Players stand at both ends in pairs.

   How to run it: Player A passes to Player B (who has run to receive it) — B dribbles back and passes to A again. They alternate until each player has passed 4 times. Teams count total completed passes. Play 3 rounds, trying to beat the count each round. Celebrate personal team records.

   • ›Counting passes gives a clear metric that is not about goals.
   • ›Running to receive is as important as the pass — praise the runner.
   • ›Teams celebrate their own record improvement, not other teams' scores.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Assists Count!

   15m

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

   How to run it: Play 3v3. A 'Hearts Goal' is a goal scored immediately after receiving a pass from a teammate. Coach calls 'HEARTS ASSIST!' when it happens and names the passer as well as the scorer. Both players celebrate. Dribbling goals count equally but get different announcement: 'SOLO GOAL!' Rotate every 4 minutes.

   • ›Naming the assister makes passing feel as rewarding as scoring.
   • ›Both goal types are celebrated — passing is never forced.
   • ›Hearing their name on an assist announcement motivates sharing.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Ask: 'Who did you assist today — who scored because of YOUR pass?' Players name teammates. Coach validates each one. Then: 'The passer AND the scorer both made that goal happen.' Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Naming the specific moment connects the lesson to real experience.
   • ›Validating the assist as equal to the goal is the key message.
   • ›Keep this warm and generous — it is that kind of week.

Outcomes

• ✓Players look for a teammate before taking a shot when a teammate is better placed.
• ✓Players cheer as loudly for assists as for goals.
• ✓Players experience passing as a creative and satisfying act.

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 and 4 open goals.

   How to run it: Players arrive and play freely. Coach secretly watches and prepares to award the 'First Assist of the Day' — the very first completed pass that leads to a shot or goal in any direction. Announce it with fanfare: 'First Assist goes to...' Pure fun from moment one.

   • ›Secret observation and surprise announcement hooks attention immediately.
   • ›Celebrate the assist with EXACTLY the energy of a goal.
   • ›Set the tone: assists are gold today.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Pass the Crown

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. All players dribbling. One player is 'the King/Queen' — they wear a special pinnie.

   How to run it: The King/Queen passes to any teammate. That teammate becomes the new King/Queen and wears the pinnie (or coach just announces the name). Every player wants the crown — and can only get it by receiving a pass! The player who is passed to most often across 3 minutes wins.

   • ›Wanting the crown means WANTING to be passed to — perfect motivation.
   • ›Cue the King/Queen: 'Pass it to a Knight!'
   • ›Rotate quickly — at least 6 different players should be crowned.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — 2v2 Passing Puzzles

   12m

   Set up: Set up 4 mini 2v2 zones (10x8 yards each). Two attackers vs two defenders. Mini goal at each end of each zone.

   How to run it: Attackers can only score if the goal was scored from a pass (not a solo dribble). Defenders can tackle normally. Swap roles every 3 minutes. Coach circulates and gives a hint if a pair is stuck: 'Try giving it to your partner and running to the other side!' No obligation to follow the hint.

   • ›The restriction creates a genuine puzzle — passing is the solution.
   • ›Hint delivery is gentle and optional — autonomy matters.
   • ›If a pair solves it, celebrate with the group: 'Did you see that?!'

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Assist Festival

   15m

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

   How to run it: Festival with Assist Leaderboard: coach keeps visible tally of assists per team (not goals — assists only). After 3 rounds, announce the Assist Champions. Award the Assist Champions with a team celebration they choose. Goals scored are also announced but the Assist Board is the headline.

   • ›Assist leaderboard being more prominent than goals is a values statement.
   • ›Let the winning team choose their own celebration — ownership and joy.
   • ›Narrate assists live: 'Beautiful pass to ... who SCORES!'

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Ask each player: 'Who did you pass to today — what is their name?' Go around the circle. Every named player gives a thumbs-up. Then Hearts Cheer. Individual farewell high-fives.

   • ›Naming a teammate cements the social bond of the pass.
   • ›Every thumbs-up is a moment of being seen by peers.
   • ›End warm and connected — this is Q4's emotional through-line.