Festival games night

Festival games night (advanced) — U13-U14

Short rotating SSGs that reward bravery and fun. Timed phases for a 75-minute U13-U14 session.

U13-U14 Whole–Part–Whole Developing 65 mins 12–16 players Match intensity Attacking Defending

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Pitchside present Player view Delivery sheet

Practice timer

65:00

Pitch layout diagram for Festival games night (advanced) — U13-U14 — **Pitch layout**
Players Ball Pass / movement Cones / markers

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How to use this session

Set the learning intention before players arrive.
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

Arrival · 8 mins

Arrival linked to Festival games night

8:00

Ball-each or light rondo that previews festival games night. Raise intensity gradually.

Organisation: Arrival grids as players arrive; continuous ball supply.

Coaching points

On toes, scan early.
Quality first touch under light pressure.
Compete with a smile.

Progressions

Add a second ball or time pressure.

Regressions

Bigger space, fewer touch limits.

Whole game · 18 mins

Conditioned game — Festival games night

18:00

Directional game with a clear condition that makes festival games night the easiest path to success.

Organisation: Pitch size matched to age; bibs and multi-ball restart.

Coaching points

Recognise when festival games night is on.
In possession: create and use space.
Out of possession: organise early, stay compact.

Progressions

Tighten space or add a scoring bonus for the theme.

Regressions

Add a neutral pivot / bounce player.

Part practice · 18 mins

Part practice — Festival games night

18:00

Isolated repetition of the key action for festival games night, then rebuild toward the game picture.

Organisation: Lanes or grids; 1–2 coaches / helpers feeding balls.

Coaching points

Detail the technique before adding speed.
Disguise intentions where possible.
Recover shape after each action.

Progressions

Live defender / timed finishing.

Regressions

Unopposed patterns first.

Game · 16 mins

Transfer game — Festival games night

16:00

Open or lightly conditioned game. Freeze only to reinforce one coaching point from the theme.

Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; keep balls ready.

Coaching points

Can we transfer tonight’s theme without the condition?
Communicate the next action early.

Progressions

Remove all conditions.

Regressions

Reintroduce the theme condition for 3 minutes.

Plenary · 5 mins

Plenary review

5:00

Players answer: What was the theme? When was it hardest? What will you try next match?

Organisation: Team huddle.

Coaching points

Player voice first.
Link to upcoming fixture if relevant.

Organisation

Area: Age-appropriate pitch / grids (see blocks).

Setup: Mark arrival area first so early arrivals can start immediately.

Equipment checklist

Balls
Bibs
Cones
Goals or mini-goals

Four Corners

Technical Short rotating SSGs that reward bravery and fun.

Physical Work hard in short bursts; recover between reps.

Psychological Stay curious — try the theme even when it feels hard.

Social Encourage teammates; communicate early and kindly.

STEP adaptations

Space: Shrink to increase pressure; expand to invite success.
Task: Add or remove the theme condition to match the group.
Equipment: Adjust ball supply and target goals.
People: Use neutrals, floaters or overload numbers as needed.

Reflect

When did the theme appear most clearly?
What made it difficult under pressure?
What will we try again next session?

Related drills

20yards

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.

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1v1 rolling, attack/defend

1 2 3 Setup – 2 queues facing a goal each, everyone with a ball. Players from each queue alternate who’s go it is. Player scores in goal directly in front then immediately defends the second goal – player from alternate queue will be attacking. Retrieve ball and join the other queue to keep ball rolling. Reactions/Transition - How quick can you defend? Attackers – go as soon as they’ve shot/been tackled Intensity, always on toes and ready to go Ball must hit net - Should be - fun, engaging, exciting, high tempo 1v1 rolling, attack/defend

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1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

1 Setup – 1 queues facing a goal each, everyone with a ball. Player scores in goal directly in front then immediately defends the goal – player next in queue will be attacking. After defending Retrieve ball and join the other queue to keep ball rolling. Reactions/Transition - How quick can you defend? Attackers – go as soon as they’ve shot/been tackled Intensity, always on toes and ready to go - Should be - fun, engaging, exciting, high tempo 1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

Use in creator