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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
Make a calm choice before the route closes.
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
Choose the action before the end of a calm five-count.
Return the ball when the target route closes instead of forcing a finish.
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. Look at a target, settle the ball and name finish or return before making any movement. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Decide early; accuracy before power. The count prompts looking rather than extra power.
Run the activity
Look at a target, settle the ball and name finish or return before making any movement.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The count prompts looking rather than extra power.
Play
Look at a target, settle the ball and name finish or return before making any movement.
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 count prompts looking rather than extra power.
If you see: The player strikes immediately without checking a target.
Try: Pause the count until the ball is settled and the head lifts.
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: Start the count as a comfortable pass reaches the receiver.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for five-count aim.
28 × 34 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: Make a calm choice before the route closes. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show target finish 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. Find the target: Choose a clear end-line target. 2. Prepare the ball: Keep the first touch in the clear lane. 3. Aim along the ground: Aim for control. Retrieve when the lane is clear.
A server passes to a receiver facing two line targets. The coach counts calmly only after the pass is controlled.
Decide early; accuracy before power. The count prompts looking rather than extra power.
Run the activity
Receive and settle the ball.
Look at both targets during the count.
Choose a controlled ground finish before five, or return the ball if not ready.
Play
Receive and settle the ball.
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 count prompts looking rather than extra power.
If you see: The player strikes immediately without checking a target.
Try: Pause the count until the ball is settled and the head lifts.
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: Start the count as a comfortable pass reaches the receiver.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the count prompts looking rather than extra power. and walk to water with the balls still.
28 × 34 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: Make a calm choice before the route closes. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show target finish 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. Find the target: Choose a clear end-line target. 2. Prepare the ball: Keep the first touch in the clear lane. 3. Aim along the ground: Aim for control. Retrieve when the lane is clear.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: A recycle is chosen willingly when the route is blocked.
Decide early; accuracy before power. 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: A recycle is chosen willingly when the route is blocked.
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 time or recycle 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: Make a calm choice before the route closes. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Keep a return receiver available. The server points to a closed target route after passing.
Decide early; accuracy before power. A recycle is chosen willingly when the route is blocked.
Run the activity
Receiver settles and checks the route.
Place a ground finish only if a clear target remains.
If both routes close, make a supporting return pass and move for the next attempt.
Play
Receiver settles and checks the route.
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
A recycle is chosen willingly when the route is blocked.
If you see: Players treat every attempt as a required finish.
Try: Give equal recognition to a well-chosen return and a placed finish.
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: Change the closure cue once before the count ends.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: On winning possession, choose a finish within five seconds or make a supporting pass.
28 × 34 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: Make a calm choice before the route closes. 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.
On winning possession, choose a finish within five seconds or make a supporting pass. 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.
Decide early; accuracy before power. Record a calm finish and a useful recycle; the quality of the decision matters more than the count.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: On winning possession, choose a finish within five seconds or make a supporting pass.
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: Record a calm finish and a useful recycle; the quality of the decision matters more than the count.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: On winning possession, choose a finish within five seconds or make a supporting pass.
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
Record a calm finish and a useful recycle; the quality of the decision matters more than the count.
If you see: Players treat every attempt as a required finish.
Try: Give equal recognition to a well-chosen return and a placed finish.
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. Show the route state before serving.
Next step: Change the closure cue once before the count ends.
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: Make a calm choice before the route closes. 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: What helped you choose without rushing?
Decide early; accuracy before power. Choose the action before the end of a calm five-count. Return the ball when the target route closes instead of forcing a finish.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: What helped you choose without rushing?
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
Choose the action before the end of a calm five-count. Return the ball when the target route closes instead of forcing a finish.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Record a calm finish and a useful recycle; the quality of the decision matters more than the count.
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: Make a calm choice before the route closes. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
