Week 6

Outcomes

• ✓Players can push the ball ahead and sprint to chase it.
• ✓Players can alternate between close control and speed dribbling.
• ✓Players can decide when to take a big push versus small touches.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Coach places two cones 15 yards apart as a 'runway.'

   How to run it: Players arrive and experiment with kicking the ball hard and chasing it down the runway. Let them figure out how far is too far. No instruction yet.

   • ›Some kids will kick the ball miles away — that is fine for now.
   • ›Note who already pushes and chases versus who takes tiny steps.
   • ›Pure exploration of pace.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Rocket Launch

   8m

   Set up: Players line up (loosely, not a real line — in pairs) at one end of a 25-yard strip.

   How to run it: Coach counts down: '3-2-1-BLAST OFF!' Players push the ball forward and sprint to it, then stop it with a sole stop at the far end. Walk back and repeat. Add challenge: push with left foot, chase. Push with right foot, chase. Race in pairs for fun.

   • ›Push the ball with the laces (top of foot) for a clean kick ahead.
   • ›Sprint — not jog — after the ball to feel the pace.
   • ›Sole stop at the end ties in last week's skill.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Cheetah and Tortoise

   12m

   Set up: 20x20 grid. Everyone has a ball.

   How to run it: Coach calls 'TORTOISE!' — players dribble with tiny slow touches. Coach calls 'CHEETAH!' — players push ball ahead and sprint after it. Players must sole-stop before hitting the boundary. Repeat rapidly to train the ability to shift gears. Add 'FREEZE!' (sole stop) at any time.

   • ›Gear changes are the key skill — praise the switch, not just the speed.
   • ›Watch for players who sprint but lose the ball — encourage a medium push.
   • ›Keep calls frequent: 5-8 seconds between each.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — 3v3 Big Space Blast

   15m

   Set up: Slightly wider pitches: 20x12 yards each. Two pitches, 3v3. Goals at each end.

   How to run it: Wider pitch encourages pushing the ball into space and sprinting. Play 3v3. When a player has open space in front of them, encourage a big push and chase. Rotate every 4 minutes.

   • ›Wide pitch creates the open-space situations that reward speed dribbling.
   • ›Point out moments: 'Look — no one is there — PUSH AND GO!'
   • ›Balance with praise for close control in tight situations.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle, everyone with their ball.

   How to run it: Ask players to demonstrate 'Cheetah vs Tortoise' in place — tiny fast taps versus slow wide taps. Everyone does it together. Giggle break. Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Humor is a tool — make the tortoise extremely slow and silly.
   • ›Reinforce both speeds as skills, not just fast.
   • ›Close with calm energy for pickup.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can use a speed burst to move past a slow defender.
• ✓Players can dribble at pace toward goal and score.
• ✓Players make decisions about when to go fast versus slow.

Equipment

• 1 size-3 ball per player
• 20 flat cones
• 4 small pop-up goals
• 1 pinnie per player

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Free Play

   5m

   Set up: 20x20 grid with balls. Two 'speed zones' marked by cone pairs (go fast between them).

   How to run it: Players arrive and dribble freely. When they enter a speed zone, coach shouts 'SPEED ZONE!' and they sprint to the other side. Pure fun, no rules.

   • ›Speed zones create natural moments of excitement.
   • ›Greet everyone and build anticipation for a fast, fun session.
   • ›Let children test their limits.

2. 2. Warm-Up Game — Lightning Bolts

   8m

   Set up: 30-yard strip. Players start at one end, each with a ball. Two 'thunder clouds' (cones) are midfield obstacles.

   How to run it: Players are lightning bolts and must speed-dribble from one end to the other without being caught by the thunder (getting their ball touched by a chasing coach helper or parent volunteer). Add a zigzag around the clouds. Award 'lightning points' for clean runs.

   • ›The chase element adds excitement to speed dribbling.
   • ›Encourage pushing the ball through the gaps between clouds.
   • ›All players complete each run — no elimination.

3. 3. Skill Theme Game — Breakaway Race

   12m

   Set up: Two parallel 25x5 yard lanes. Players pair up at one end.

   How to run it: Pairs race side by side, dribbling their balls to the other end and back. Winner of each race earns 1 point. Mix up pairs each round. Add obstacle versions: race with a sole stop in the middle. Energy is high — let it be loud.

   • ›Racing side by side teaches pace in competition.
   • ›Encourage the push-and-chase technique over tiny steps.
   • ›Losing pair immediately challenges another pair — keep it moving.

4. 4. Small-Sided Games — Speed Festival

   15m

   Set up: Three 12x10 mini-pitches. 3v3 round-robin. Add a 'breakaway zone': an area 5 yards in front of each goal where a player dribbling in alone cannot be tackled.

   How to run it: 3v3 with breakaway zone. If a player dribbles into the breakaway zone alone, defenders must back off and the attacker finishes 1v1 with the goal. Celebrate every breakaway attempt.

   • ›Breakaway zone rewards the player who pushed ahead and won the sprint.
   • ›Defenders learn to track runners — unintentional defending lesson.
   • ›Keep rounds to 4 minutes for maximum variety.

5. 5. Cool-Down & High-Fives

   5m

   Set up: Circle. Everyone jogs lightly in place for 20 seconds to cool down.

   How to run it: Light shake-out jog, then sit down. Ask: 'When did you go fast today? Was it the right time?' Accept all answers. Hearts Cheer.

   • ›Gentle reflection introduces decision-making concepts simply.
   • ›Keep the debrief very short — 2-3 answers maximum.
   • ›High-five every player individually at the end.