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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
Look up and choose between two targets.
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
Look at both targets before choosing.
Change the choice when a defender protects the first target.
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. Point to both side targets, then walk the ball toward the one 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.
Look at both choices. The player identifies both options before receiving the signal.
Run the activity
Point to both side targets, then walk the ball toward the one 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 player identifies both options before receiving the signal.
Play
Point to both side targets, then walk the ball toward the one 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 player identifies both options before receiving the signal.
If you see: The first named target is mistaken for the target to use.
Try: Call closed before naming the side and ask the carrier to repeat the open side.
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: Show the open side directly for one round.
Next step: Give the signal after a first walking touch.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for point and go.
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: Look up and choose between two targets. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show scan space 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. Look before moving: Name a space with room for the next touch. 2. Travel to clear space: Keep the ball close along the clear route. 3. Look up again: Pause and check before moving again.
Name left and right end-line segments. The partner signals one closed target from a safe side position.
Look at both choices. The player identifies both options before receiving the signal.
Run the activity
Look at the two targets while the ball is still.
Partner names one unavailable target.
Point to the open target, then carry there and stop.
Play
Look at the two targets while the ball is still.
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 player identifies both options before receiving the signal.
If you see: The first named target is mistaken for the target to use.
Try: Call closed before naming the side and ask the carrier to repeat the open side.
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: Show the open side directly for one round.
Next step: Give the signal after a first walking touch.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the player identifies both options before receiving the signal. 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: Look up and choose between two targets. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show scan space 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. Look before moving: Name a space with room for the next touch. 2. Travel to clear space: Keep the ball close along the clear route. 3. Look up again: Pause and check before moving again.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: The decision uses the current shadow position.
Look at both choices. 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 decision uses the current shadow position.
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 choice gates 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: Look up and choose between two targets. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
A walking shadow may protect only one of two exits and stays clear of the ball carrier.
Look at both choices. The decision uses the current shadow position.
Run the activity
Carrier scans while approaching the centre.
Read the shadow's position and take the other exit.
If the shadow changes side, stop and choose again before moving.
Play
Carrier scans while approaching the centre.
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 decision uses the current shadow position.
If you see: The carrier continues toward a target that has closed.
Try: Allow a full stop and a second look without losing the turn.
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: Let the shadow change side once during the approach.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score through either of two side exits; defenders protect space without contact.
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: Look up and choose between two targets. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show gate escape 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 both exits: Check both sides before the signal. 2. Choose the open gate: Take the free crossing under control. 3. Clear the route: Look up before choosing the next route.
Score through either of two side exits; defenders protect space without contact. 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 at both choices. Look for a change of target prompted by defender position rather than a random switch.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score through either of two side exits; defenders protect space without contact.
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 a change of target prompted by defender position rather than a random switch.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score through either of two side exits; defenders protect space without contact.
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 a change of target prompted by defender position rather than a random switch.
If you see: The carrier continues toward a target that has closed.
Try: Allow a full stop and a second look without losing the turn.
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. The shadow stays at the same exit.
Next step: Let the shadow change side once during the approach.
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: Look up and choose between two targets. 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 told you which target was free?
Look at both choices. Look at both targets before choosing. Change the choice when a defender protects the first target.
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 told you which target was free?
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
Look at both targets before choosing. Change the choice when a defender protects the first target.
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 a change of target prompted by defender position rather than a random switch.
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: Look up and choose between two targets. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
