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Overloads & advantage

Overloads & advantage — U5-U6

Players know it as “Help a friend (U5-U6)”

Kid title: Help a friend (U5-U6). Use the spare player; don't force the 1v1. Timed phases for a 45-minute U5-U6 session.

U5-U6 Game-related Foundation 45 mins 6–10 players Game tempo Attacking Possession
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Practice timer

45:00

Pitch layout
Players Ball Pass / movement Cones / markers

How to use this session

  1. Set the learning intention before players arrive.
  2. Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
  3. Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
  4. Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.

Session flow

Arrival · 6 mins

Help a friend (U5-U6)

6:00

Fun ball each activity linked to overloads & advantage. Lots of touches, short queues, coach joins in.

Organisation: Half of a 5v5 pitch; 1 ball each to start.

Coaching points
  • Big smiles, lots of praise.
  • Keep the ball close when moving.
  • Eyes up when you can.
Progressions
  • Add a soft challenge or tagger.
Regressions
  • Bigger space, slower demo.
Technical · 11 mins

Practice picture — Overloads & advantage

11:00

Simple game that repeats the picture of overloads & advantage with light opposition.

Organisation: Small grids or channels; rotate roles every 60–90 seconds.

Coaching points
  • Show me the picture with your body.
  • Try again quickly after a mistake.
  • Use both feet when you can.
Progressions
  • Add a mini-goal or end zone.
Regressions
  • Remove the defender / add a helper.
Skill · 11 mins

Drill 2 — develop Overloads & advantage

11:00

Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve overloads & advantage under pressure. Rotate roles often.

Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches so everyone is playing.

Coaching points
  • Play forward when you see space.
  • Help a teammate who is stuck.
  • Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
  • Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
  • Unopposed patterns first.
Small-sided game · 12 mins

Drill 3 — game for Overloads & advantage

12:00

Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards overloads & advantage. Minimal stoppages.

Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.

Coaching points
  • Find moments for overloads & advantage.
  • 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

What did we learn?

5:00

Players share one thing they tried. Coach links back to the theme in kid language.

Organisation: Circle with the ball.

Coaching points
  • Listen to teammates.
  • Name one success.

Related drills

20yards

20yards 20yards Drill: Collect the Treasure/Cones Objective: Develop 1v1 skills (attacking and defending) with a focus on dribbling and decision-making. Setup: Create a grid (20x20 yards). Place 10 cones in the middle of the grid, each representing "treasure." Split players into two teams: Pirates and Defenders. Pirates start outside the grid with a ball each. Defenders start inside the grid without a ball. Instructions: The Pirates' goal is to dribble into the grid, "steal" a treasure , and dribble back out to the outside without being tackled. Defenders try to block Pirates and win the ball. If a Defender wins the ball, they pass it out of the grid for the attacker to start again. Each time will be timed doing the drill and the team that gets all the cones out quickest wins.

Use in creator

Drill 207

Game: - Attacking team starts from half way each time balls is out of play - Both teams get chance at attacking Pass must go between the lines (offside trap) 5 points for corners GK/Defenders: Ball to half way goals to score

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Break the line

Setup: Each team has 4 defenders, 2 attackers & a GK Defenders locked in a square Attackers free to roam their channel (4 squares wide) Objective: Defenders play ball into attackers to score goal Challenges: Defenders keep ball across their 4 square channel until attacker shows an opportunity Attackers work as a team to get ball from 4 defenders 1 and 2 touch Progression: Attackers must pass to each other before scoring Progression 2: When defender plays ball into attacking channel they can join that channel and leave their square Progression 3: When defender plays a pass they must swap grid with another defender Break the line

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Break the line u10s

Setup: Each team has 3 defenders, 1 attacker & a GK Defenders locked in a square (or 2) Attackers free to roam their channel (4 squares wide) Objective: Defenders play ball into attackers to score goal Challenges: Defenders keep ball across their 4 square channel until attacker shows an opportunity Attackers work hard to get ball from 3 defenders 1 and 2 touch Progression: Attackers must score quickly or pass back Progression 2: When defender plays ball into attacking channel they can join that channel and leave their square Progression 3: When defender plays a pass they must swap grid with another defender Break the line u10s

Use in creator

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