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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
Aim ground passes and move to help a partner.
U860 min8 starting players20 × 25 mField practice
Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Send a ground pass through the chosen gap.
Make the pass gentle enough for the receiver to keep 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. Pairs roll a short pass to a partner who shows a foot beside a chosen line. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Face the target and follow the pass. Both direction and receiving comfort.
Run the activity
Pairs roll a short pass to a partner who shows a foot beside a chosen line.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: Both direction and receiving comfort.
Play
Pairs roll a short pass to a partner who shows a foot beside a chosen line.
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
Both direction and receiving comfort.
If you see: The ball crosses the gate too hard to collect.
Try: Move closer and aim for a pass the partner can stop without retreating.
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.
Easier: Use a wider line segment and a shorter pass.
Next step: Receiver offers either foot before the pass.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for gate pairs.
20 × 25 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: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show pass gate 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. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Place partners on opposite sides of one gate or named line segment. Keep the pass distance inside their station.
Face the target and follow the pass. Both direction and receiving comfort.
Run the activity
Receiver shows a target foot and says ready.
Pass along the ground through the gate.
Receiver cushions the ball, checks the passer is ready and returns it.
Play
Receiver shows a target foot and says ready.
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
Both direction and receiving comfort.
If you see: The ball crosses the gate too hard to collect.
Try: Move closer and aim for a pass the partner can stop without retreating.
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.
Easier: Use a wider line segment and a shorter pass.
Next step: Receiver offers either foot before the pass.
Move on: Stop in place, recall both direction and receiving comfort. and walk to water with the balls still.
20 × 25 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: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show pass gate 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. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: Movement creates a clear new passing line.
Face the target and follow 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: Movement creates a clear new passing line.
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 pass and relocate before the restart signal.
20 × 25 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: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Keep the same gate; agree a second passing angle within the station rather than adding extra equipment.
Face the target and follow the pass. Movement creates a clear new passing line.
Run the activity
Complete a pass and stop the ball.
Both players walk sideways to create a new angle through the gap.
Make another pass only when both can see each other.
Play
Complete a pass and stop 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
Movement creates a clear new passing line.
If you see: One player moves while the other passes to the old position.
Try: Require a ready signal after both players settle.
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.
Easier: Keep the receiver still while the passer changes angle.
Next step: Relocate after every completed pass.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score when a teammate receives a ground pass across the end line.
20 × 25 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: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show pass gate 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. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Score when a teammate receives a ground pass across the end line. 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.
Face the target and follow the pass. Look for an end-line pass received under control, not simply kicked across the line.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score when a teammate receives a ground pass across the end line.
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: Look for an end-line pass received under control, not simply kicked across the line.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score when a teammate receives a ground pass across the end line.
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
Look for an end-line pass received under control, not simply kicked across the line.
If you see: One player moves while the other passes to the old position.
Try: Require a ready signal after both players settle.
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 receiver still while the passer changes angle.
Next step: Relocate after every completed pass.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
20 × 25 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: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. 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 made a pass easier for your partner?
Face the target and follow the pass. Send a ground pass through the chosen gap. Make the pass gentle enough for the receiver to keep 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: What made a pass easier for your partner?
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
Send a ground pass through the chosen gap. Make the pass gentle enough for the receiver to keep 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: Look for an end-line pass received under control, not simply kicked across the line.
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.
20 × 25 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: Aim ground passes and move to help a partner. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
