Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.
Session flow
6m
11m
11m
12m
5m
Arrival · 6 mins
Treasure dribble (U5-U6)
6:00
Fun ball each activity linked to ball mastery journeys. Lots of touches, short queues, coach joins in.
Organisation: Half of a 5v5 pitch; 1 ball each to start.
Coaching points
Big smiles, lots of praise.
Keep the ball close when moving.
Eyes up when you can.
Progressions
Add a soft challenge or tagger.
Regressions
Bigger space, slower demo.
Technical · 11 mins
Practice picture — Ball mastery journeys
11:00
Simple game that repeats the picture of ball mastery journeys with light opposition.
Organisation: Small grids or channels; rotate roles every 60–90 seconds.
Coaching points
Show me the picture with your body.
Try again quickly after a mistake.
Use both feet when you can.
Progressions
Add a mini-goal or end zone.
Regressions
Remove the defender / add a helper.
Skill · 11 mins
Drill 2 — develop Ball mastery journeys
11:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve ball mastery journeys under pressure. Rotate roles often.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches so everyone is playing.
Coaching points
Play forward when you see space.
Help a teammate who is stuck.
Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
Unopposed patterns first.
Small-sided game · 12 mins
Drill 3 — game for Ball mastery journeys
12:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards ball mastery journeys. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for ball mastery journeys.
Help a teammate who is stuck.
Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
Remove the condition when the theme is secure.
Regressions
Neutral helper / overload.
Plenary · 5 mins
What did we learn?
5:00
Players share one thing they tried. Coach links back to the theme in kid language.
Organisation: Circle with the ball.
Coaching points
Listen to teammates.
Name one success.
Related drills
Drill 93
Pulse Raiser — 4 minutes
30 seconds each on the spot x 2
Light jog
High knees
Heel flicks
Around the outside of the grid:
Side steps left
Side Steps right
Open/close the gate
Skips with arm swings
Quick feet
Come into the grid:
Jog with little direction changes
2) Dynamic Mobility — 4 minutes
Moving around the grid, avoiding each other - Do each for 20–30 seconds:
Walking lunges
Reverse lunges
Side lunges
Hamstring sweeps (touch the grass)
Knee hugs
Heal & Toe Walks
Quad Stretch (partner if needed)
Ankle bounces
Shoulder rolls and arm swings
Torso twists
3) Activation, Sharpness, Reactions – 4 minutes
Jogging around the grid, on coaches call:
Jump and head
Low clap
Up high clap
Change direction with a 2 second sprint
Squat – Jump (with soft landing)
Quick Feet (sprint on spot)
Shuffle Left/Right/Back (American Shuffle)
4) Touch/Mastery – 6 minutes
Players on the outside have a ball (at feet or in hands)
Players on inside must run to people on the outside and ask for the ball then return it as described by coach – after returning they must run to someone else and do the same.
3 minutes each, switch after 3 minutes.
Ball on floor, 1-2-1-2 pass. (30 seconds)
Ba
2
3
4
2
3
4
1
1
Warmup
5
6
5
6
Warmup (Ball Mastery):
20x20 Grid
Players Travel around with the ball and on coaches' call do the below skills/movements.
Toe Taps
Sole Roles
Drag backs
Step Overs
Cruyff turns
10 mins
2
3
4
2
3
4
1
1
Warmup
5
6
5
6
Warmup (Ball Mastery):
20x20 Grid
Players Travel around with the ball and on coaches' call do the below skills/movements.
Toe Taps
Sole Roles
Drag backs
Step Overs
Cruyff turns
10 mins
20yards
20yards
Drill: Collect the Treasure/Cones
Objective: Develop 1v1 skills (attacking and defending) with a focus on dribbling and decision-making.
Setup:
Create a grid (20x20 yards).
Place 10 cones in the middle of the grid, each representing "treasure."
Split players into two teams: Pirates and Defenders.
Pirates start outside the grid with a ball each.
Defenders start inside the grid without a ball.
Instructions:
The Pirates' goal is to dribble into the grid, "steal" a treasure , and dribble back out to the outside without being tackled.
Defenders try to block Pirates and win the ball. If a Defender wins the ball, they pass it out of the grid for the attacker to start again.
Each time will be timed doing the drill and the team that gets all the cones out quickest wins.