A worked practice for your team
Agree who collects a loose ball
Agree which teammate will collect an unopposed slow ground ball, while the other gives way and becomes an available outlet.
ZIP includes the printable coach card, all three SVG diagrams, timeline and practice data. Extract the folder before opening the card.
Check the problem
Two teammates see the same loose ball and both approach, leaving no clear collector or next pass. Shouting louder can leave both still moving toward it. Establish one claim and a visible acknowledgement before either child approaches; a missed delivery can simply be reset.
Set up the space and roles
Reserve 16 × 24 m of clear space. Mark a 12 × 16 m rectangle with four cones, retain a 2 m perimeter, and use a further 4 m deep bay beyond one end for the observing pair. Four more cones form two 2 m exit gates inside the far end. Use one ball and one adult feeder. Pair 1/2 works while 3/4 observes beyond the buffer, then swap after two feeds. The adult feeds from the other end and steps clear.
Keep the rotation clear
Within each pair, the adult alternates comfortable feeds toward the two starting positions, then occasionally uses a central delivery. For a central ball, rotate who first offers a choice; that child can select either teammate. Switch starting sides after every feed and active pairs after two. Each child therefore practises collecting, yielding, supporting and observing without a permanent server role.
See the practice in three steps
Schematic views, not to scale. Player numbers match the roles below. Dark arrows show passes, dashed green arrows show movement and solid green arrows show carries. Use the written dimensions when marking your area.
1. Check the ball and the teammate
2. One collects and the other gives way
3. Swap pairs and connect to an exit
Your complete 30-minute plan
Briefing, planned role changes, water and reflection are included. Add rest or stop when needed; shorten active play rather than rushing a transition.
00:00–03:00 · 3 min
Check, explain and walk the layout
Begin with a still ball. One child indicates that they will collect; the partner acknowledges by pointing to a different supporting space and giving way. Only then may the collector approach. Use a word or a clear hand signal that both understand. Keep at least 2 m between teammates. If both claim it or both start toward it, the adult says stop and resets; never ask children to demonstrate a collision.
03:00–08:00 · 5 min
Prepare the decision
Use five cycles of 50 seconds of gentle rehearsal and 10 seconds of rest. Alternate pairs after each attempt. The adult places the ball, players agree collector and outlet, then complete a short ground pass. Swap their starting sides each time. The observing pair checks for an acknowledgement before movement; they do not enter to retrieve a ball.
08:00–17:00 · 9 min
Focused practice and role changes
Play three rounds of 2 minutes 40 seconds with 20 seconds of rest. The adult rolls one slow ground ball only when the active pair is ready and the observation bay is occupied. Vary the gentle delivery toward either child. Both first check the ball and partner, agree one collector, then move at walking pace. The other child moves away into a separate outlet angle. A late agreement means letting the ball pass and resetting, not chasing. The adult stops any simultaneous approach and retrieves escaped balls after everyone is still. Change active pairs after two feeds.
17:00–19:00 · 2 min
Water and reset
Pause for water, then check the marked area and clear buffers. Keep the observing pair beyond the outside buffer and let the adult prepare the next slow feed. Extra rest takes priority; shorten the next playing block if needed.
19:00–28:00 · 9 min
Use it in a game
Use the same three round lengths for a cooperative gate game. After agreement and collection, the collector sends a controlled ground pass to the outlet. The outlet can then walk with the ball through either empty gate for one shared point. Reset after every attempt; the adult retrieves and feeds again. A point has no speed requirement, and the pair can cancel the pass if their routes become crowded. Keep the 2 m separation, walking pace and stop signal. Observers stay outside the buffer. There are no defenders, tackles, shoulder contests or sprints.
28:00–30:00 · 2 min
Reflect and choose the next step
Ask which signal made it clear who would collect, and where the other teammate went. Repeat the still-ball agreement if both continue toward the same space.
Watch for a useful change
- One claim receives a clear acknowledgement before approach.
- The other teammate gives way and opens a separate outlet.
- Both stop and reset when agreement or separation is lost.
Make it easier
Use a still ball and let the adult ask the pair to agree before any movement. Make the outlet a comfortable short pass.
When ready
Use a slightly different slow ground-feed angle while the pair keeps the same starting space. Retain walking pace and allow a reset.
Ask which signal made it clear who would collect, and where the other teammate went. Repeat the still-ball agreement if both continue toward the same space.
If conditions change
Stop active play when the surface, weather or available clear space is unsuitable. Use an indoor area only if it can hold the full written footprint and buffers. Otherwise keep the ball still, walk through the roles without pressure, and reschedule the live game. Extra rest takes priority over finishing the timetable.
Need a different group size or duration?
The worked example above uses the stated numbers. The related complete session has its own checked customizer, maps and rotations.
Open Play TogetherCoaching principles and further reading
Awareness of nearby teammates helps players move into useful space without crowding one another.
Sources reviewed for this practice on 25 October 2026. Session Pitch created this worked example, timing, role instructions and diagrams; it is not a reproduction of the linked sessions. No FA or FIFA endorsement is implied. Live coaching effectiveness has not been evaluated.