Place the cones in twos inside the grid, which is marked out according to the number of players. Players on the outside all have a ball each. Defenders on the inside all have a bal
Ball M
U9-U10Up the StepsFoundation60 mins8–14 playersProgressive loadPassing & receiving
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
15m
15m
17m
5m
Arrival · 8 mins
Warm-up — Turning into space?
8:00
Players arrive into a ball-rolling activity linked to the session theme.
Organisation: Small grids / mini pitches ready before players arrive.
Coaching points
Smile, connect, set the learning intention early.
High ball rolling from the first minute.
Progressions
Add directional constraints.
Regressions
Reduce pressure / enlarge space.
Technical · 15 mins
Turning into space?
15:00
place the cones in twos inside the grid, which is marked out according to the number of players. Players on the outside all have a ball each. Defenders on the inside all have a ball each. The attackers on the inside must receive a ball from the outside and make a turn, with one touch or less taking the ball through the cones. Once the players have done that they paly the ball out to the outside players then they find another ball to receive.
The defenders with the ball at their feet can block the goals by dribbling the ball be-tween the cones forcing the attacker to turn away.
Questions
What is the best way to turn through the cones?
How do you know if their is a defender in the goal you are turning into? What sort of touches do you need to take on the ball?
Progressions
Increase pressure / reduce space / add direction.
Regressions
Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Skill · 15 mins
Drill 2 — develop Turning into space?
15:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve turning into space? under pressure. Rotate roles often.
Organisation: SSG pitch with clear scoring / constraints linked to the theme.
Coaching points
Reward the theme with the scoring system.
Protect transition moments both ways.
Use guided discovery questions in natural stoppages.
Progressions
Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
Unopposed patterns first.
Game · 17 mins
Drill 3 — game for Turning into space?
17:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards turning into space?. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for turning into space?.
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
Review & cool down
5:00
Players share one learning from the session against the intention.
Organisation: Circle with the ball.
Coaching points
Listen to teammates.
Name one success.
Related drills
Drill 46
3 teams:
3 teams of players in different coloured bibs
-Orange
-Yellow
-Blue
- 1 team is on and the other 2 teams have to keep the ball
- When 1 player loses the ball, their team is on
- Can we receive the ball and take it in a direction with our first touch?
Can we keep the ball for 10 passes (a GOAL)?
Coaches points:
Passing & Moving into space
Talking to each other
Staying focused
Rondo + “Burst Move” (15 mins)
Setup:
grid (10x10m)
2 defenders in the middle, rest on outside
1 ball
How it works:
Outside players keep possession using one or two touches.
As soon as a player passes, they must immediately “burst” into a new space around the edge (not just shuffle sideways), before their foot lands.
Next receiver fills the empty spot, creating a constant flow.
Coaching Points:
Focus on receiving with the back foot, head up.
Pass and move with urgency—don’t watch your pass!
“Burst” movement—push off the standing foot as the pass is played.
Call out “NAME!” every time you pass.
Progression:
Add a second ball for more challenge.
Limit to one-touch passes if appropriate.
Setup:
2 teams (Bibs v Non Bibs)
Each TEAM can only touch the ball once, then it is the other teams turn
Every touch must make the ball move 5 yards minimum
Objective:
When it is your turn you must not let the ball stop, so you must take a touch and pass the ball into space.
Try and pass it away from the other team, so they CANNOT reach it
Ball must stay in 18 yard box area, if it goes out you lose
Progressions:
Each team must now make 2 touches (but limited 1 per player)
Coaching points:
IP:
Weight of pass
movement
Passing Weight
3 teams:
3 teams of players in different coloured bibs
-Orange
-Yellow
-Blue
- 1 team is on and the other 2 teams have to keep the ball
- When 1 player loses the ball, their team is on
- Can we receive the ball and take it in a direction with our first touch?
Can we keep the ball for 10 passes (a GOAL)?
Coaches points:
Passing & Moving into space
Talking to each other
Staying focused