Raise intensity with the ball before kick-off. Timed phases for a 60-minute U9-U10 session.
Ball-each or light rondo that previews pre-match activation. Raise intensity gradually.
Organisation: Arrival grids as players arrive; continuous ball supply.
Coaching pointsDirectional game with a clear condition that makes pre-match activation the easiest path to success.
Organisation: Pitch size matched to age; bibs and multi-ball restart.
Coaching pointsIsolated repetition of the key action for pre-match activation, then rebuild toward the game picture.
Organisation: Lanes or grids; 1–2 coaches / helpers feeding balls.
Coaching pointsOpen or lightly conditioned game. Freeze only to reinforce one coaching point from the theme.
Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; keep balls ready.
Coaching pointsPlayers answer: What was the theme? When was it hardest? What will you try next match?
Organisation: Team huddle.
Coaching pointsWarmup: Players in Lines, simple pass to player in front then run to back of the line Maximum 2 touches 1 if we can After a few rotations change the run to the back of the opposite line Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed. 2) Always alert ready to receive the ball 3) MAKE IT WORK – If the pass/touch is off make it work, treat it like a match! Warmup
Use in creatorWarmup: Players in Pairs, standing opposite each other with a ball in the middle. One player runs and and receives the pass in the middle and passes it back, they then shuttle back to the start and start again Each Player will do 10 passes, 8 passes, 6 passes, 4 passes, 2 passes In between each set of passes the players will switch over. IF A PASS MISSES OR BALL GOES STRAY THEN THEY MUST START AGAIN (with the 10,8,6,4,2 – whichever they were on) Coaches walking in between getting in the way Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed. Player not running times the pass to get to them as they return to the middle Passing Warmup
Use in creatorPass and move – left/right: Players in Pairs, standing opposite each other – 1 with ball Player 2 must do a number 8 shape around the 2 cones and as they come round each cone will be passed the ball to return on the left then right foot Ball will be passed 10 times with each foot, then players switch Process will be repeated doing 8 passes, then 6, 4, 2. Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed. Player not running times the pass to get to them as they arrive Warmup Continuation
Use in creatorWarmup: Players in Pairs, standing over the ball in the middle One player uses drag backs to take the ball all the way back to their cone and then passes it to the player in the middle Once they’ve passed the ball they must do their second job which is “get back to the middle” The other player will then drag the ball back to their cone and pass it back repeat Coaching Points: Focus on the quality of the pass Passing & Drag backs – u7 girls
Use in creator
