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
8m
18m
18m
16m
5m
Arrival · 8 mins
Pass & follow, receive & turn
8:00
Set up the drill 3 times with 4–6 players each. Player 1 passes to Player 2 and follows. Player 2 controls, turns and passes to Player 3, then follows. Player 3 turns out and rejoins the start.
Player 2 lays back for Player 1 to play a second pass into Player 3.
Regressions
Remove the turn and receive across body first.
Whole game · 18 mins
Conditioned game — Possession to progress
18:00
12 players in a 7v7 area. Focus on receiving on a half-turn, playing into space, and building possession before progressing. Out of possession: compact, early organisation, step out to press.
Organisation: 3 balls, 6 bibs, 7v7 area
Coaching points
Receive on a turn where possible.
Pass into the space you want the teammate to attack.
IP: make the pitch big, break pressure or play under it — retain or attack.
OP: compact, keep opposition in front, then step out to press.
Progressions
Join the next third you have passed into (FB into midfield, mid into attack).
Regressions
Add a neutral pivot to secure first possession.
Part practice · 18 mins
Keep-ball with outside bounce players
18:00
16 players, 40x40. Possession team uses outside players who stay active on the line. Same IP/OP cues as the whole game.
Organisation: 4 balls, 8 bibs, 10 cones, 40x40
Coaching points
Outside players are not static — run the line to simplify the next pass.
Retain first, then look to progress.
OP stay compact and organised.
Progressions
Expand back toward a full pitch and include goals.
Regressions
Two-touch for outside players only.
Game · 16 mins
Transfer game — Possession to progress
16:00
Return to a directional game. Encourage joining the next third, wall passes to create space, and clear communication on every pass.
Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch
Coaching points
Control, open hips, find the next pass.
Can we move into wide space and use wingers?
OP: between ball and goal, close the middle.
Progressions
Remove all conditions.
Regressions
Reintroduce the theme condition for 3 minutes.
Plenary · 5 mins
Review
5:00
Ask players when they chose to retain vs attack and how support play helped.
Organisation: Team huddle.
Coaching points
Capture one individual focus for next session.
Related drills
Pass/Move through gates - first touch/control
Passing Gates & Movement Relays (20 mins)
Setup:
Cones create 4–6 small “gates” (1m wide) in a grid (15x15m).
Players work in pairs, each pair with a ball.
How it works:
Pass the ball through a gate, then immediately both players sprint to another gate (can’t go to the same gate twice in a row).
Player receiving must time their movement to be in position for the next pass.
Challenge: Receiver must “check off” as the ball arrives, pass first time, and move again.
Coaching Points:
Encourage quick scanning for the next gate after passing.
Stress moving as soon as the pass is played—run, not walk – foot doesn’t touch floor after passing.
Quick body adjustment—be on your toes, always ready to move.
Communication: call for the ball, shout the next gate.
Progressions:
P1 – Pass must be received on a turn and not straight back out of the front.
P2 – first touch must take them out of the shape and into the direction they’re going
Pass/Move through gates - first touch/control
Technique– Utilising the half turn
Groups of 3, 2 either end and one in middle
Outside players pass ball into the back foot
Central players receive it and send to the other end.
Central players cannot receive a pass from the same person twice in a row.
Coaching Points –
Start by just passing it normally through the middle player before asking them to stand side on
Bodyshape
Always passing to back foot
Always receiving on back foot
Each time in the middle for3-5 minutes dependant on length of instructions/stopping
Starting Player:
Pass ball across between “midfield”
Run in front of midfield to receive ball back from P2
Open body, 1 touch out, turn through midfield and play ball to new player
P2:
Play bass back to starting player
Run through “midfield” and ask for ball
Open body, 1 touch out, turn through midfield and play ball to new player who now becomes
Receiving Player/P2:
Whenever you receive a pass you bounce it back to the player asking and then run through midfield and ask for the ball
Open body, 1 touch out, turn through midfield and play ball to new player who now becomes
Progression:
Once everyone Understand introduce a second/third/fourth ball
Pass
Run to receive behind midfield
Midfield Breaking Lines Drill
Starting Player:
Pass ball across between “midfield”
Run in front of midfield to receive ball back from P2
Open body, 1 touch out, turn through midfield and play ball to new player
P2:
Play bass back to starting player
Run through “midfield” and ask for ball
Open body, 1 touch out, turn through midfield and play ball to new player who now becomes
Receiving Player/P2:
Whenever you receive a pass you bounce it back to the player asking and then run through midfield and ask for the ball
Open body, 1 touch out, turn through midfield and play ball to new player who now becomes
Progression:
Once everyone Understand introduce a second/third/fourth ball
Pass
Run to receive behind midfield
Midfield Breaking Lines Drill
