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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
Protect space together and switch responsibilities.
U11–U1260 min8 starting players28 × 34 mField practice
Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Keep cover behind the defender nearest the ball.
Exchange roles without both stepping toward the same pass.
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. In pairs, point to the ball side and protected target; walk into a staggered shape with a clear gap. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Close a route, keep your partner covered. The pair stays staggered rather than forming a flat line.
Run the activity
In pairs, point to the ball side and protected target; walk into a staggered shape with a clear gap.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The pair stays staggered rather than forming a flat line.
Play
In pairs, point to the ball side and protected target; walk into a staggered shape with a clear gap.
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 pair stays staggered rather than forming a flat line.
If you see: Cover moves up beside the nearest defender.
Try: Freeze and move cover back until ball and partner are both visible.
Organisation
2 separate stations. Roles: carrier, nearest defender, covering defender, supporting receiver; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 4 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 180s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Use a stationary carrier and walk the defender positions.
Next step: Carrier alternates a sideways carry and a pass.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for linked cover.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Protect space together and switch responsibilities. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Change the ball side: Second defender covers behind when available. 3. Hand over nearest and cover: The old nearest defender drops; the partner now delays.
C = carrier · D = nearest defender · V = covering defender · S = supporting receiver. Times are activity seconds; briefing, rest and transition are separate.
Use a carrier, receiver and two defenders with a named target behind them. Carrier moves sideways at walking pace.
Close a route, keep your partner covered. The pair stays staggered rather than forming a flat line.
Run the activity
Nearest defender follows the ball side from a safe gap.
Covering defender stays deeper and slightly toward the target.
When the carrier changes side, stop and compare both distances to the target.
Play
Nearest defender follows the ball side from a safe gap.
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 pair stays staggered rather than forming a flat line.
If you see: Cover moves up beside the nearest defender.
Try: Freeze and move cover back until ball and partner are both visible.
Organisation
2 separate stations. Roles: carrier, nearest defender, covering defender, supporting receiver; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 4 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 180s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Use a stationary carrier and walk the defender positions.
Next step: Carrier alternates a sideways carry and a pass.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the pair stays staggered rather than forming a flat line. and walk to water with the balls still.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Protect space together and switch responsibilities. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Change the ball side: Second defender covers behind when available. 3. Hand over nearest and cover: The old nearest defender drops; the partner now delays.
C = carrier · D = nearest defender · V = covering defender · S = supporting receiver. Times are activity seconds; briefing, rest and transition are separate.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: The second target remains protected while the nearest player moves.
Close a route, keep your partner covered. 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 second target remains protected while the nearest player moves.
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 passing-lane screen before the restart signal.
28 × 34 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: Protect space together and switch responsibilities. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Agree two target segments. Attackers exchange ground passes; defenders screen passing lanes without foot or body tackles.
Close a route, keep your partner covered. The second target remains protected while the nearest player moves.
Run the activity
Nearest defender shows a route toward one side.
Cover protects the other target line behind the first defender.
After a side pass, call and exchange responsibilities before screening again.
Play
Nearest defender shows a route toward one 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 second target remains protected while the nearest player moves.
If you see: Both defenders follow the same target threat.
Try: Pause and ask each defender to name the different route they protect.
Organisation
2 separate stations. Roles: carrier, nearest defender, covering defender, supporting receiver; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 4 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 180s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Keep the attackers next target known in advance.
Next step: Attackers choose either target for a gentle ground pass.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score by intercepting a pass and carrying over the end line; keep body contact out.
28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Protect space together and switch responsibilities. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Change the ball side: Second defender covers behind when available. 3. Hand over nearest and cover: The old nearest defender drops; the partner now delays.
C = carrier · D = nearest defender · V = covering defender · S = supporting receiver. Times are activity seconds; briefing, rest and transition are separate.
Score by intercepting a pass and carrying over the end line; keep body contact out. 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.
Close a route, keep your partner covered. Watch for an interception created by protecting separate routes, followed by a controlled carry out.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score by intercepting a pass and carrying over the end line; keep body contact out.
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 interception created by protecting separate routes, followed by a controlled carry out.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score by intercepting a pass and carrying over the end line; keep body contact out.
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 interception created by protecting separate routes, followed by a controlled carry out.
If you see: Both defenders follow the same target threat.
Try: Pause and ask each defender to name the different route they protect.
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. Keep the attackers next target known in advance.
Next step: Attackers choose either target for a gentle ground pass.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
28 × 34 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: Protect space together and switch responsibilities. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Change the ball side: Second defender covers behind when available. 3. Hand over nearest and cover: The old nearest defender drops; the partner now delays.
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: When did you exchange defending roles?
Close a route, keep your partner covered. Keep cover behind the defender nearest the ball. Exchange roles without both stepping toward the same pass.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: When did you exchange defending roles?
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
Keep cover behind the defender nearest the ball. Exchange roles without both stepping toward the same pass.
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 interception created by protecting separate routes, followed by a controlled carry out.
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.
28 × 34 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: Protect space together and switch responsibilities. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
