Decision Making (Playing 1-2's Set -up make a circle approx. 20 yards apart with 8 players around the outside. The Game Players take a touch into the circle and look to pass to one
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 — Decision Making
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
Decision Making
15:00
Decision Making (Playing 1-2's Set -up make a circle approx. 20 yards apart with 8 players around the outside. The Game Players take a touch into the circle and look to pass to one of the floating players. The floating player plays a 1-2 with the player who then looks to pass out and anoth-er player joins and completes the drill the same.
Organisation: Balls: 3; Cones: Y
Coaching points
add more balls to increase intensity.
Think about Movement off the ball. Think ahead.
first touch, needs to allow you time to get your head up.
Progressions
Progression
Regressions
Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Skill · 15 mins
Drill 2 — develop Decision Making
15:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve decision making 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 Decision Making
17:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards decision making. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for decision making.
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
2 points
1 point
2 points
6v6/6v12 Rondo – Utilising the half turn
3 teams (taking turns – 7 mins each)
White team is collecting points
Yellow team defending
Blue team outside being available for passes
Rules –
Team collecting points loses a popint each time they lose possession
They get 1 point for a pass which goes from top to side or side to top, 2 points for a ball which switches long ways.
Collect as many points as they can in 7 minutes.
Coaching Points –
360 scanning
Bodyshape
Decision making
Always passing to back foot
Always receiving on back foot
1 point
2 points
6v6/6v12 Rondo – Utilising the half turn
3 teams (taking turns – 7 mins each)
White team is collecting points
Yellow team defending
Blue team outside being available for passes
Rules –
Team collecting points loses a popint each time they lose possession
They get 1 point for a pass which goes from top to side or side to top, 2 points for a ball which switches long ways.
Collect as many points as they can in 7 minutes.
Coaching Points –
360 scanning
Bodyshape
Decision making
Always passing to back foot
Always receiving on back foot
1 point
2 points
6v6/6v12 Rondo – Utilising the half turn
3 teams (taking turns – 7 mins each)
White team is collecting points
Yellow team defending
Blue team outside being available for passes
Rules –
Team collecting points loses a popint each time they lose possession
They get 1 point for a pass which goes from top to side or side to top, 2 points for a ball which switches long ways.
Collect as many points as they can in 7 minutes.
Coaching Points –
360 scanning
Bodyshape
Decision making
Always passing to back foot
Always receiving on back foot
Game – Staying Onside
(Between the lines)
4v4
Pass must be made before teammate enters the endzone
Rules –
Point for passing into the endzone
Other teams starts with the ball in their own endzone
Aims –
Workrate
Bodyshape
Scanning
Decision making