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Player arrivals and departures
Use anonymous numbers from 1 to 99. Changes take effect before an activity begins; each activity needs 4–16 players.
Your practice
Direct the first touch away from pressure.
U9–U1060 min8 starting players24 × 30 mField practice
Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Check the pressure side before the pass arrives.
Direct the first touch into the opposite space within one step.
Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.
Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. Before touching a still ball, look over each shoulder and move it to the side a partner leaves open. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Check your shoulder before the pass. The check changes body shape before contact.
Run the activity
Before touching a still ball, look over each shoulder and move it to the side a partner leaves open.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The check changes body shape before contact.
Play
Before touching a still ball, look over each shoulder and move it to the side a partner leaves open.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The check changes body shape before contact.
If you see: The receiver checks but uses the habitual foot into pressure.
Try: Ask for a point to the free side before the serve.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Next step: Alternate the pressure side between attempts.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for receive away.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Direct the first touch away from pressure. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show receive turn using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Check the next space: Look away from the ball before it arrives. 2. Receive across the body: Guide the first touch toward the open side. 3. Turn and connect: Look up before the next ground pass.
A server faces a receiver. The server raises a hand to indicate an imaginary pressure side before passing.
Check your shoulder before the pass. The check changes body shape before contact.
Run the activity
Receiver checks the signal and opens toward the other side.
Server sends a gentle ground pass.
Receive across the body into the free side and return from a new angle.
Play
Receiver checks the signal and opens toward the other side.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The check changes body shape before contact.
If you see: The receiver checks but uses the habitual foot into pressure.
Try: Ask for a point to the free side before the serve.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Next step: Alternate the pressure side between attempts.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the check changes body shape before contact. and walk to water with the balls still.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Direct the first touch away from pressure. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show receive turn using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Check the next space: Look away from the ball before it arrives. 2. Receive across the body: Guide the first touch toward the open side. 3. Turn and connect: Look up before the next ground pass.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: The touch remains controlled despite a later cue.
Check your shoulder before the pass. Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
Run the activity
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Check the surface, clear the next station and keep boundary buffers empty.
Name what to look for next: The touch remains controlled despite a later cue.
Play
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
If you see: Players begin moving balls while others cross the area.
Try: Keep every ball still until the area is clear and all players have heard the start signal.
Easier: Demonstrate only the first action, then begin slowly.
Next step: Invite a player to point out the next receiving or observation position.
Move on: Show the first decision in late signal before the restart signal.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Direct the first touch away from pressure. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Keep both exits clear. The server gives the direction cue only as a short pass starts.
Check your shoulder before the pass. The touch remains controlled despite a later cue.
Run the activity
Stand ready to see the server and both exits.
Read the early travelling-ball cue.
Guide the first touch toward that exit; if uncertain, stop and reset.
Play
Stand ready to see the server and both exits.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The touch remains controlled despite a later cue.
If you see: The receiver lunges to rescue a rushed decision.
Try: Slow the serve and move the cue earlier until balance returns.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Next step: Vary which foot receives while retaining a gentle serve.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score by receiving beyond a defender in an end zone with a touch back into play.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Direct the first touch away from pressure. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show receive turn using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Check the next space: Look away from the ball before it arrives. 2. Receive across the body: Guide the first touch toward the open side. 3. Turn and connect: Look up before the next ground pass.
Score by receiving beyond a defender in an end zone with a touch back into play. Use the numbered teams and neutral roles for this pitch. Agree line targets inside the shown area. Restart with a gentle ground pass; opponents retreat at least two metres until the first touch.
Check your shoulder before the pass. Watch for an end-zone receive that moves away from the nearest defender with its first touch.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score by receiving beyond a defender in an end zone with a touch back into play.
Play within the marked pitch using the current numbered roles; restart from the nearest boundary after the ball leaves.
At the next pause, give one observed example: Watch for an end-zone receive that moves away from the nearest defender with its first touch.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score by receiving beyond a defender in an end zone with a touch back into play.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Watch for an end-zone receive that moves away from the nearest defender with its first touch.
If you see: The receiver lunges to rescue a rushed decision.
Try: Slow the serve and move the cue earlier until balance returns.
Organisation
2 pitches. Teams use numbered A/B slots. Odd groups use a neutral who helps the team with the ball. Rotate slot assignments between rounds; everyone plays and each odd-pitch player takes a neutral turn.
Easier: Pause at each restart to show the available choice. Give the cue before the pass.
Next step: Vary which foot receives while retaining a gentle serve.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Direct the first touch away from pressure. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show decision game using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. See the options: Look for a carry, pass or safe return. 2. Choose a clear route: Choose the route that is clear now. 3. Keep the next option open: Move to help the next player with the ball.
Round-by-round player roles
Round
Assignments
1 · 180s
1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
2 · 180s
1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
3 · 180s
1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
4 · 180s
1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
Leave the balls still and walk comfortably within your own station. Recall one choice from the session, then ask: Which first touch gave you more time?
Check your shoulder before the pass. Check the pressure side before the pass arrives. Direct the first touch into the opposite space within one step.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: Which first touch gave you more time?
Share one observed example or say that you need another look; count the players and equipment before finishing.
Play
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Check the pressure side before the pass arrives. Direct the first touch into the opposite space within one step.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Watch for an end-zone receive that moves away from the nearest defender with its first touch.
Easier: Allow a pointing gesture or one word instead of a spoken explanation.
Next step: Invite a player to explain what they would change if the same route closed next time.
Move on: Check every player and collect stationary equipment before leaving the area.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Direct the first touch away from pressure. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
