Players know it as “Race back home (U5-U6)”
Kid title: Race back home (U5-U6). Sprint to recover behind the ball after losing it. Timed phases for a 45-minute U5-U6 session.
Fun ball each activity linked to recovery runs. Lots of touches, short queues, coach joins in.
Organisation: Half of a 5v5 pitch; 1 ball each to start.
Coaching pointsSimple game that repeats the picture of recovery runs with light opposition.
Organisation: Small grids or channels; rotate roles every 60–90 seconds.
Coaching pointsAdd light opposition or a constraint so players must solve recovery runs under pressure. Rotate roles often.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches so everyone is playing.
Coaching pointsSmall-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards recovery runs. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching pointsPlayers share one thing they tried. Coach links back to the theme in kid language.
Organisation: Circle with the ball.
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
