Week 13

Outcomes

• ✓Players can demonstrate first touch, half-turn, pressing technique, and 1v1 skill against a standard benchmark
• ✓Players can identify their strongest and weakest Q1 technical area with specific examples
• ✓Players can set a SMART individual target for Q2 based on the assessment
• ✓Players can complete the assessment circuit at full intensity after 12 weeks of conditioning

Equipment

• 12 balls
• 30 cones
• 6 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals
• assessment cards for each player

Run of show

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

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Players self-lead warm-up under a different captain from Week 12.

   How to run it: New captain leads the group through the full FIFA 11+ sequence. Coach observes and notes how the group's warm-up quality has evolved since Week 1. Dynamic sequence: hip circles, hamstring scoops, high knees, lateral shuffles, Nordic holds (3 reps), single-leg balance (10 sec each), and 3×20-yd progressive runs. Total 12 min warm-up, 3 min stretch.

   • ›How a team warms up tells you everything about its standards
   • ›Nordic holds: the group should be going lower and slower than Week 1 — it gets harder as it improves
   • ›This is the last technical session of Q1 — bring your best

2. 2. Technical Practice – Assessment Circuit

   15m

   Set up: 4 assessment stations. Players rotate every 3 min. Station 1: first touch & half-turn. Station 2: 1v1 defending jockey. Station 3: long pass accuracy (30 yds to a target). Station 4: crossing from a wide position. Coach and assistant (or senior player) rate each player 1–3 at each station.

   How to run it: Players rotate through each station. At each station, they perform 3 reps of the skill. A rater (coach or designated player) gives a score: 1 = needs significant work, 2 = competent, 3 = confident and consistent. Players receive their score card at the end of the circuit. Coach adds one written comment per station.

   • ›Assessment is not judgement — it's information. Use it to grow
   • ›Score 1 doesn't mean failure — it means Q2 has a clear target
   • ›Score 3 means this skill is your platform — build the next skill from here

3. 3. Skill Game – Best of Q1 Showcase

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Teams of 5, rotating after each 4-min game.

   How to run it: Round-robin mini-games of 5v5. Each game runs 4 min. Players apply all Q1 principles in a free, joyful game. Coach commentates positively: 'There's the half-turn from Week 4!', 'That's the pressing trigger we trained in Week 3!' Celebrating the learning journey through the commentary.

   • ›This is where 12 weeks of work lives — in your automatic decision-making
   • ›See how different you play now compared to Week 1? That's growth

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Full Tactical Review

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two equal teams of 8. Normal rules, no constraints.

   How to run it: Full 9v9 or 11v11 game depending on player numbers. No tactical constraints — just football. Coach takes notes and does not coach during the game. This is an assessment game: does the team apply the game model independently? After the game, coach scores the team on each phase: build-out, pressing, transitions, final third.

   • ›No constraints: does the game model exist in you, or did it only exist in the drill?
   • ›The honest answer to that question defines what Q2 needs to address
   • ›Win the ball early, build patiently, attack with purpose — always

5. 5. Scrimmage – Individual Challenge Game

   15m

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

   How to run it: Each player receives a personal challenge from coach before the scrimmage: 'Your challenge this game is [skill move / communication / pressing trigger / half-turn]. Every time you do it, raise your hand.' Players self-track. Announce results at full-time.

   • ›Individual challenges make you focus on one thing — the fastest way to improve one skill
   • ›Be your own coach for these 15 min — observe, adjust, execute

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Players with their assessment cards, seated.

   How to run it: Static stretching while reviewing assessment cards. Each player identifies their top strength and their priority target for Q2. Coach collects cards and uses them to inform Q2 planning. Brief team announcement: 'Here's what Q2 will focus on — we'll build on the Q1 foundation with [specific Q2 themes].'

   • ›Your assessment card is a roadmap — not a verdict
   • ›The players who improve most in Q2 will be the ones who commit to their Q2 target this week

Outcomes

• ✓Players can demonstrate the full Q1 game model in a competitive game context with minimal coaching intervention
• ✓Players can articulate specific improvements they've made over 13 weeks
• ✓Players can name the 4 Q2 sub-themes and explain how they build on Q1 foundations
• ✓Players can support and encourage teammates during a competitive game — demonstrating team culture

Equipment

• 8 balls
• 20 cones
• 10 pinnies
• 2 full-size goals
• Q2 preview sheet (one per player)

Run of show

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

   15m

   Set up: Both teams warm up on opposite halves of the pitch, led by their captains.

   How to run it: Full team warm-up led by players: FIFA 11+ complete sequence, ball work in team formation, and 3 progressive acceleration runs. Coach joins one team's warm-up for the final 3 min. Emphasis: this is the Q1 final session — warm up with pride and intention.

   • ›The warm-up reveals your preparation mindset — make it excellent
   • ›Thirteen weeks of warming up correctly has reduced your injury risk — that's a fact
   • ›Captain leadership: set the tone with your intensity in the warm-up

2. 2. Technical Practice – Q2 Preview Skills

   15m

   Set up: Half pitch. Both teams together. Coach introduces 3 new skills that will feature in Q2.

   How to run it: Coach briefly introduces Q2 themes with a demonstration of each: (1) positional rotation in attack (3-player combination where positions interchange); (2) high defensive block with a narrow 4-4-2; (3) set play variation — driven free kick delivery. Players try each skill for 3 min — not mastery, just exposure. The goal is curiosity and motivation for Q2.

   • ›Q2 preview: these are the tools we'll add in the next 13 weeks
   • ›You're ready for this because of Q1 — the foundation is there
   • ›Stay curious about football — there is always something new to learn and master

3. 3. Phase Game – Q1 vs Q2 Preview Challenge

   15m

   Set up: Full pitch. Team A plays 'Q1 style' (familiar game model). Team B tries one Q2 concept (e.g., positional rotation). 15 min game.

   How to run it: Team A executes their familiar Q1 game model. Team B attempts to incorporate a simple positional rotation while still applying Q1 principles. Coach observes how Q2 concepts interact with the existing model. After the game, discuss: what worked, what created confusion, and why Q2 builds naturally on Q1.

   • ›Q2 doesn't replace Q1 — it adds a new layer to the same foundation
   • ›Confusion is the first stage of learning — embrace it
   • ›Team B: you attempted something new under pressure — that's courageous and correct

4. 4. Conditioned Tactical Game – Q1 Showcase Game

   20m

   Set up: Full pitch. Two equal teams. Match-day atmosphere. Normal rules.

   How to run it: The Q1 Showcase: a full 20-min match with referee (coach or nominated senior player). Both teams play to win but must represent the Q1 game model. Spectators (if available) are welcome. Make it feel like a match day. Coach does not intervene — teams manage themselves.

   • ›This is the proof of Q1 — 13 weeks of work on display
   • ›Represent Austin Hearts FC with quality, with heart, and with respect for the game
   • ›The result matters — but how you play matters more to us

5. 5. Scrimmage – Relaxed Kickabout

   15m

   Set up: Informal game: players pick positions, relaxed rules, self-refereed.

   How to run it: Informal and fun to end Q1. No coaching. Players enjoy the game. Coach may participate. If a natural competition emerges, celebrate it. The culture of enjoying football is the most important thing to protect.

   • ›The reason all of us are here is love of the game — never forget that
   • ›Great training culture + genuine joy = the best youth football environment possible

6. 6. Cool-Down & Debrief

   5m

   Set up: Full group in a circle, Q2 preview sheets distributed.

   How to run it: Guided full body stretch led by coach (this final time) — hamstring, quad, hip flexor, calf, shoulder, thoracic rotation. Coach distributes Q2 preview sheets listing the four sub-themes. Each player shares one word describing their Q1 experience. Coach closes: 'See you in Q2 — you've earned a great pre-season foundation. The season starts now.'

   • ›Q1 complete: 26 sessions, 1 game model, 1 team identity — you built it together
   • ›Q2 begins with ambition — every session builds toward something bigger
   • ›Austin Hearts FC: play with your whole heart, every single session