Drills / Team practice

The game

Finish every session with a real game, in the format your players play on match days.

Players
Everyone
Space
Your format's pitch, or a smaller one
Kit
2 goals, bibs, balls
Time
20 minutes
Age
All ages
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Set up

  • Set up a pitch for your format. With 12 players, play 6v6 rather than having children waiting to come on.
  • Two smaller games are better than one big one if numbers allow.

How it works

  1. Let them play. Keep the talking short and the breaks for water.
  2. Add one condition linked to the session, such as a bonus goal for beating a player 1v1 before scoring.

What to work on

  • Praise the brave decision, even when it doesn't come off.
  • Ask questions rather than giving orders: "Where was the space?"
  • Everyone plays the same amount.

Easier

Uneven numbers to help the weaker team, or a neutral player.

Harder

Fewer touches, or a smaller pitch.

Planning a whole session? The session planner builds one around this kind of practice.

Try next

Drills that work the same skills.