Week 12

Outcomes

• ✓Players can identify whether to press, hold, or drop based on the game's current situation
• ✓Players can adjust their individual role based on the score (losing: more risk; winning: preserve possession)
• ✓Players can make a correct decision under time pressure within 1.5 seconds of receiving the ball
• ✓Players can solve a 3v3+ overload situation with a composed, purposeful pass

Equipment

• 10 balls
• 25 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals
• 1 whiteboard

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & FIFA 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Players in random groups of 3.

   How to run it: Groups pass in dynamic triangles moving around the pitch. On the whistle, groups sprint to a new group and continue passing — players must problem-solve who their new partners are. This mirrors the decision-making theme. FIFA 11+ additions: bounding (5 per side), single-leg balance (10 sec), and lateral jumps over a cone (5 per side). Finish with 2×25-yd runs at 80%.

   • ›New group challenge: make the decision fast — just like in the game, there's no time to think
   • ›Bounding: drive the knee through and push off aggressively from each step
   • ›Passing in new groups: adapt your passing weight immediately — every teammate is different

2. 2. Technical Practice – Scenario Decisions

   15m

   Set up: Half pitch. Two teams of 5. Coach holds cards showing game scenarios: '1-0 up, 5 min left', '1-0 down, 5 min left', 'Equal, 45 min left'.

   How to run it: Coach shows a scenario card. Both teams must adapt their play style instantly. 5-min rounds per scenario. Coach freezes play to ask: 'What decision did you just make and why?' The right answer is tactical — not just 'I passed because it was open.' Players must verbalise their tactical reasoning.

   • ›Winning with 5 min left: possession is your friend — no risks in dangerous zones
   • ›Losing with 5 min left: quick decisions, forward passes, accept more risk
   • ›Equal at 45 min: control the tempo and look for quality rather than rushing
   • ›Game intelligence is knowing the situation and adapting — not just playing the same game every time

3. 3. Skill Game – Complex Overload Scenarios

   15m

   Set up: 40×30 yd grid. Scenarios change every 3 min: 5v3, 4v4, 3v5. Teams rotate.

   How to run it: Each overload scenario trains different problem-solving. 5v3: use the overload efficiently, don't play 3 touches when 1 will do. 4v4: balanced — read the pressing trigger and act. 3v5: defend smart, play safe, wait for the transition. Coach discusses the decision-making difference after each scenario.

   • ›5v3: the advantage disappears if you're slow — use the extra player immediately
   • ›4v4: press when you see the trigger — hold when you don't
   • ›3v5: 3 players can defend 5 with organisation — it's not about numbers, it's about shape

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Scenario Football

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two teams of 8. Every 4 min, coach announces a new game scenario and adjusts the score to reflect it.

   How to run it: Coach sets up: 'Your team is 2-0 down with 10 min left' — teams adjust. Next: '1-1 at 70 min' — teams adjust. Next: '1-0 up with 5 min left' — protect the lead. This teaches teams to play to the situation. Normal scoring applies. Track: which team adapts best to each scenario.

   • ›Emotional management: going from '1-0 up' to '2-0 down' scenario in 4 min tests mental flexibility
   • ›Don't play the same game regardless of the scenario — that's the lesson
   • ›Leadership moment: who on your team organises the shape when the scenario changes?

5. 5. Scrimmage – Free Game, Intelligence Observed

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, normal rules, both GKs.

   How to run it: Normal scrimmage. Coach secretly assigns a scenario to each team that only that team knows (e.g., 'you're playing as if you're 1-0 up in a cup final'). Watch how teams play differently and reveal the scenario at full-time. Discussion about how it influenced decisions.

   • ›Playing with game intelligence means every decision has a reason — not just instinct
   • ›The most intelligent players are the most valuable — develop your game IQ

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players in a circle.

   How to run it: Passive stretching: partner-assisted hamstring, hip flexor, quad. Coach asks: 'Name one decision you made today that you're proud of — not just a good pass, but a good DECISION.' Every player shares one moment.

   • ›Decisions win games — the ball, the pitch, the opponents are the same; the decisions make the difference
   • ›Twelve weeks of developing a thinking player — that's what Austin Hearts FC produces

Outcomes

• ✓Players can execute all four phases of the game model without coach prompting: build, press, transition, attack
• ✓Players can self-organise a set piece without coach instruction
• ✓Players can provide specific tactical feedback to a teammate between halves
• ✓Players can articulate the Austin Hearts FC game identity in their own words

Equipment

• 8 balls
• 20 cones
• 8 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals
• 1 whiteboard

Run of show

1. 1. Activation & FIFA 11+ Warm-Up

   15m

   Set up: Players self-lead the warm-up under the captains' direction.

   How to run it: Captains lead the group through the full FIFA 11+ sequence without coach input. This tests what players have retained from 12 weeks of warm-up structure. Coach observes and only intervenes if safety is at risk. Groups: jog, hip circles, hamstring scoops, lateral shuffles, single-leg balance, Nordic holds, and 3 acceleration runs at 80%.

   • ›This is a leadership test — captains, step up and own this
   • ›The fact you can lead the warm-up means you've absorbed 12 weeks of good habits
   • ›Coach observes but doesn't control — this is your warm-up

2. 2. Technical Practice – Game Model Walkthrough Review

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Both teams in their game-day shapes. Coach stands on the touchline.

   How to run it: Coach calls out each phase sequentially: 'Build from back' — teams walk through it; 'Press' — teams demonstrate the trigger and reaction; 'Transition' — teams show recovery and counter; 'Final third' — teams demonstrate the combination. Each phase 3 min with feedback. This is a revision session, not new learning.

   • ›The game model is now yours — not mine. You built it over 12 weeks
   • ›Where does the group feel most confident? Where is the weakest link?
   • ›Revision reveals gaps — be honest about what needs more work in Q2

3. 3. Phase Game – Review Scrimmage (25 min extended)

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two teams of 8. All Q1 principles apply.

   How to run it: 25-min open scrimmage with all game model rules active. Between halves (12 min / 13 min split), players give peer feedback — one player from each team speaks to their own team about one tactical improvement. Coach does not coach during this scrimmage. Observe and note for the full debrief.

   • ›This scrimmage measures what you've retained — not what I've told you in the last 5 minutes
   • ›Peer feedback: be specific and kind. 'That was bad' is not feedback; 'When you step out of the line, it leaves a gap' is feedback

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Q1 Championship Game

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two even teams. Normal rules, normal scoring.

   How to run it: The Q1 championship game: 20 min, both teams applying everything from the quarter. Coach announces extra-time if it's level at 20 min (5-min golden goal). Take it seriously — this is a meaningful competitive moment. Award an imaginary Q1 Championship trophy (or a small real one if available) at the end.

   • ›Play with everything you've learned — not more, not less
   • ›Win or lose the game, winning the quarter's learning is the real prize
   • ›Heart of Midlothian was founded on community, hard work, and bravery — show all three

5. 5. Scrimmage — Cool-Down Kickabout

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch, smaller teams, relaxed rules — players choose their own positions.

   How to run it: Informal play: players choose positions they don't normally play. Keep the scoreline. This is a reward session after a demanding quarter. Coach joins the kickabout if numbers allow. Keep the energy positive and fun.

   • ›This is why we do it — joy on the pitch is the foundation of everything else
   • ›The best teams train hard AND play with joy — both matter equally

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Both teams together in a large circle — everyone included.

   How to run it: Coach-led full body static stretch (5 stretches × 30 sec). Coach gives a brief but meaningful Q1 review: what the group has achieved, who showed leadership, and what Q2 will build on. Every player receives one specific, genuine compliment from the coach.

   • ›Q1 is complete. You built the foundation of a game model from nothing — that's real
   • ›Q2 starts with everything you know now as the baseline — the standard has been set