Sprint to recover behind the ball after losing it. Timed phases for a 60-minute U9-U10 session.
Ball-each or light rondo that previews recovery runs. Raise intensity gradually.
Organisation: Arrival grids as players arrive; continuous ball supply.
Coaching pointsDirectional game with a clear condition that makes recovery runs the easiest path to success.
Organisation: Pitch size matched to age; bibs and multi-ball restart.
Coaching pointsIsolated repetition of the key action for recovery runs, 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 Pairs, standing opposite each other with a ball in the middle. One player runs and performs 1-2 pass then shuttles back Other player then repeats 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 Pressing Warmup
Use in creatorPlayer stand opposite their partners and pass the ball from side to side via the middle players, after each pass they must move within their channel into a new space, their partner must recognize who has their ball in the middle and call for it, they then choose someone else central and repeat the other way. Constant scanning, watching their runs, looking for their partner. Always on toes and communicating Can the player in the middle receive it on a half turn? 1 point each time it gets to the opposite side Progression – add defender(s) into the middle For ease we will have the group split into thirds with 1/3rd at either side and the other 3rd in the middle, 2 of the middle players will become “defenders” after 2 minutes of the drill. If a defender touches the central player then the teams whos ball it is lose all their points. 20 minutes
Use in creator6 5 4 10 9 8 7 3 2 3 Player stand opposite their partners and pass the ball from side to side, after each pass they must move within their channel into a new space. Constant scanning, watching their runs, looking for their partner. Always on toes and communicating P1 – change to 3’s and add a player in the middle who must receive the ball in between the outside players Can the player in the middle receive it on a half turn? 1 point each time it gets to the opposite side P2 – add defender into the middle, if they touch the player in the middle while they have the ball then they lose all points. Pass/Move w/half turn and scanning
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 creator
