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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
Use a first touch to prepare the next action.
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
Choose an exit before the ball reaches the feet.
Make a first touch that stays reachable and points toward the exit.
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. Roll the ball to yourself, open toward one side and take the next touch into that space. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Look, open your body, touch into space. The first touch opens a route rather than stopping under the body.
Run the activity
Roll the ball to yourself, open toward one side and take the next touch into that space.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The first touch opens a route rather than stopping under the body.
Play
Roll the ball to yourself, open toward one side and take the next touch into that space.
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 first touch opens a route rather than stopping under the body.
If you see: The receiver faces squarely back at the server.
Try: Rehearse a half-turn with a still ball before serving again.
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: The server rolls from closer range to the same side.
Next step: Alternate the receiving foot when the exit changes.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for open touch.
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: Use a first touch to prepare the next action. 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 with open space on both sides. Use one ball and short ground passes.
Look, open your body, touch into space. The first touch opens a route rather than stopping under the body.
Run the activity
Receiver names a side and stands half-turned.
Server passes when the receiver is ready.
Guide the first touch toward the named side, take one more touch and return.
Play
Receiver names a side and stands half-turned.
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 first touch opens a route rather than stopping under the body.
If you see: The receiver faces squarely back at the server.
Try: Rehearse a half-turn with a still ball before serving again.
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: The server rolls from closer range to the same side.
Next step: Alternate the receiving foot when the exit changes.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the first touch opens a route rather than stopping under the body. 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: Use a first touch to prepare the next action. 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 receiving direction follows the scan.
Look, open your body, touch into space. 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 receiving direction follows the scan.
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 two exit receive 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: Use a first touch to prepare the next action. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Agree two exits. Before serving, the partner indicates which side is unavailable.
Look, open your body, touch into space. The receiving direction follows the scan.
Run the activity
Check both exits while the server has the ball.
Receive toward the free side without crossing the partners path.
Stop inside the exit and explain the choice before returning.
Play
Check both exits while the server has 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 receiving direction follows the scan.
If you see: The player chooses the habitual foot despite a closed exit.
Try: Name the open side aloud before the pass begins.
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: Give the side signal as the pass starts.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score by receiving in the end zone and moving back into the field under control.
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: Use a first touch to prepare the next action. 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 in the end zone and moving back into the field under control. 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.
Look, open your body, touch into space. Notice an end-zone receive with a first touch that allows a controlled return into play.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score by receiving in the end zone and moving back into the field under control.
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: Notice an end-zone receive with a first touch that allows a controlled return into play.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score by receiving in the end zone and moving back into the field under control.
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
Notice an end-zone receive with a first touch that allows a controlled return into play.
If you see: The player chooses the habitual foot despite a closed exit.
Try: Name the open side aloud before the pass begins.
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 one exit open for a whole round.
Next step: Give the side signal as the pass starts.
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: Use a first touch to prepare the next action. 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 did you notice before the ball arrived?
Look, open your body, touch into space. Choose an exit before the ball reaches the feet. Make a first touch that stays reachable and points toward the exit.
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 did you notice before the ball arrived?
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 an exit before the ball reaches the feet. Make a first touch that stays reachable and points toward the exit.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Notice an end-zone receive with a first touch that allows a controlled return into play.
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: Use a first touch to prepare the next action. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
