Setup Mark out the area, each player has a ball except for the taggers. The Game Players move around the field, bouncing balls. The taggers tries to knock the others players ball a
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 — Bounce Tag
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
Bounce Tag
15:00
Setup Mark out the area, each player has a ball except for the taggers. The Game Players move around the field, bouncing balls. The taggers tries to knock the others players ball away. Any player who loses the ball becomes the new tagger. Playing time is 2 minutes. Who spends the shortest amount of time as tagger?
Organisation: Balls: 10; Bibs: 3; Cones: Y
Coaching points
Variation
Choose extra taggers.
Add extra physical skills:- all players can only hop, left and right foot.
Progressions
Increase pressure / reduce space / add direction.
Regressions
Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Skill · 15 mins
Drill 2 — develop Bounce Tag
15:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve bounce tag 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 Bounce Tag
17:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards bounce tag. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for bounce tag.
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
3v3+3 (+5 with coaches)
3v3 inside the circle with bounce players on the outside
2 touch If possible
Which team of 3 can get the most passes
Movement to get into position after passing
Players outside cant be tackled but passes can be intercepted
2 teams inside playing “keep-ball”
Players on the inside split into 2 teams.
Objective is to make as many passes as you can, whichever team is in possession can use the players on the outside for “bounce/wall passes”
As soon as possession changes outside players switch allegiance.
Communication
1 touch from outside
Switch teams from outside to replace inside team when ball is lost.
3v3+3 (+5 with coaches)
4v4 inside the circle with bounce players on the outside
2 touch If possible
Which team of 3 can get the most passes
Movement to get into position after passing
Players outside cant be tackled but passes can be intercepted
2 teams inside playing “keep-ball”
Players on the inside split into 2 teams.
Objective is to make as many passes as you can, whichever team is in possession can use the players on the outside for “bounce/wall passes”
As soon as possession changes outside players switch allegiance.
Communication
1 touch from outside
Can you get the ball from coach to coach multiple times?
4v4 + coaches
Passing:
1st round, follow your pass – last player runs back to start – multiple balls involved
Prog 1: player runs through all passes judging run to not get his – passers try not to hit him
Prog 2: must receive ball on back foot and pass with front foot
Prog 4: bounce pass in between each pass
- Player In Line, coaches have balls
- Players take turns at returning the ball to the coaches
Michaela/Charlie with balls – james/Laura collecting strays
Short pass on ground
Slight elevated pass (for volley with laces)
Ball bounced to them to control and pass back
Same setup with 2 cones, coach will say left/right or middle and they have to run to that side and pass it back:
No volleys only on ground