Week 50

Outcomes

• ✓Players can demonstrate their three favourite skills back-to-back without stopping.
• ✓Players can describe what they are looking forward to in the season finale.
• ✓Players come prepared to perform their best at the end-of-year event.

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. Coach has set up 5 challenge stations with flat cones.

   How to run it: Players arrive and choose any station to start. Stations are labelled with their skill name. Pure choice and freedom. Coach greets each player: 'What are you going to show off at the finale?'

   • ›Asking about the finale plants anticipation immediately.
   • ›Station choice gives agency — important for young children.
   • ›Note what each player chooses as their first station — it is likely their favourite.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Three-Skill Combo

   8m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Players in pairs. One ball per pair.

   How to run it: Coach calls out 3 skills in a row — for example: 'Sole stop! U-turn! Speed burst!' Both players do all three in sequence, one after the other, then swap the ball. Vary the combinations each round. The silliest combination wins the most cheers. Play 4-5 rounds.

   • ›Chaining three skills together is a big leap — celebrate any combination.
   • ›Silly combinations (sole stop, silly walk, speed burst) are absolutely fine.
   • ›Pairs support each other — encourage verbal cues between partners.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Finale Rehearsal

   12m

   Set up: Centre stage from Week 45 (4x4 cone square). All players in a circle around it.

   How to run it: Finale Rehearsal: each player chooses THREE skills to perform in sequence on the stage. They announce: 'I am going to do [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3]!' Then they perform. Group counts them in and cheers after each one. This is their practice run for the finale. Coach offers one encouraging tip per player.

   • ›Announcing before performing builds intention — not just doing, but committing.
   • ›One tip per player: gentle, specific, forward-looking ('tomorrow, try the U-turn here').
   • ›The stage is sacred — treat every performance as a real event.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Finale Preview Match

   15m

   Set up: Two 15x10 pitches. Teams as they will be for the finale if possible.

   How to run it: Play the games as if it is already the finale — coach narrates like a commentator, uses player names, calls skill moments. Introduce any special finale rules now so players know what to expect. Make it feel big. Rotate after 7 minutes.

   • ›Rehearsal in context reduces nerves for the real day.
   • ›Commentating now teaches players what to expect from the finale atmosphere.
   • ›Reveal any special finale surprises carefully — enough to excite, not too much to deflate.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Ask: 'What are you most excited about for the season finale?' Take every answer. Coach closes: 'The finale is going to be the best day of the year — because of every one of you.' Hearts Cheer. Build anticipation.

   • ›Anticipation is an emotion to cultivate — it makes the finale more powerful.
   • ›Coach's closing statement should be heartfelt and genuine.
   • ›End with maximum excitement for the coming weeks.

Outcomes

• ✓Players know the order and format of the finale events.
• ✓Players feel excited rather than nervous about the finale.
• ✓Players perform their skill combo with confidence and joy.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 24 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player (4 colors)
• Any props from the finale (medals, trophy, certificates)

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: Full finale setup if possible — heart boundary, centre stage, all goals in place.

   How to run it: Players arrive to the full set-up and play freely. The visual of the finale layout generates excitement and curiosity. Let them explore and ask questions.

   • ›Seeing the full layout makes the finale feel real and attainable.
   • ›Answer questions about the finale setup honestly and with enthusiasm.
   • ›Let the environment do the motivating — minimal verbal coaching needed.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Team Parade

   8m

   Set up: Teams in order for the parade around the pitch boundary.

   How to run it: Each team parades around the heart boundary with their team name and chant. The watching teams cheer. This is exactly what will happen at the finale. Run through it twice — once as a rehearsal, once 'for real.' Coach is the commentator: 'Now entering the Hearts pitch — the [team name]!'

   • ›Parade rehearsal reduces anxiety by making the moment familiar.
   • ›Coach commentary makes each team feel famous.
   • ›Everyone cheers for every team — model this explicitly.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Dress Rehearsal Showcase

   12m

   Set up: Centre stage as in Week 45.

   How to run it: Every player performs their three-skill combo for the group, exactly as in the finale. Same format: announce, perform, group cheer. Coach awards the 'Dress Rehearsal Star' to every player (a quiet word in the ear: 'You are going to be brilliant on the day.')

   • ›Dress Rehearsal Star is whispered — a private, personal gift.
   • ›If a player is uncertain about their combo, help them adjust NOW.
   • ›The goal is confidence, not perfection.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Full Dress Rehearsal

   15m

   Set up: Three pitches. Full festival format as planned for the finale.

   How to run it: Run the festival games exactly as they will happen at the finale — full commentary, same rules, same awards format. After the final games, run through the award ceremony as a rehearsal too. Where will players stand? How will they receive the medal? Practice the Hearts Cheer as the closing moment.

   • ›Every element rehearsed reduces the unfamiliar on finale day.
   • ›Medal ceremony rehearsal is actually more important than the games rehearsal.
   • ›The Hearts Cheer should be the loudest of the whole year by now.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Coach has a list of every player's name.

   How to run it: Coach reads every player's name from the list and the group cheers for each one. Then: 'In two weeks — the real thing. You are all ready.' Hearts Cheer. Individual farewell with: 'I cannot wait to see you at the finale.'

   • ›Reading every name formally marks each player as important.
   • ›The 'you are all ready' statement is a gift of confidence — believe it.
   • ›Individual farewell sets the anticipation for every player to carry home.