Marking & intercepting

Marking & intercepting — U5-U6

Players know it as “Shadow steps (U5-U6)”

Kid title: Shadow steps (U5-U6). Stay goal-side, read the pass, step to intercept. Timed phases for a 45-minute U5-U6 session.

U5-U6 Game-related Foundation 45 mins 6–10 players Game tempo Defending Transition

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More actions

Pitchside present Player view Delivery sheet

Practice timer

45:00

Pitch layout diagram for Marking & intercepting — U5-U6 — **Pitch layout**
Players Ball Pass / movement Cones / markers

Download diagram

How to use this session

Set the learning intention before players arrive.
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

Arrival · 6 mins

Shadow steps (U5-U6)

6:00

Fun ball each activity linked to marking & intercepting. 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 — Marking & intercepting

11:00

Simple game that repeats the picture of marking & intercepting 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 Marking & intercepting

11:00

Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve marking & intercepting 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 Marking & intercepting

12:00

Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards marking & intercepting. Minimal stoppages.

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

Coaching points

Find moments for marking & intercepting.
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.

Organisation

Area: Age-appropriate pitch / grids (see blocks).

Setup: Mark arrival area first so early arrivals can start immediately.

Equipment checklist

Balls
Bibs
Cones
Goals or mini-goals

Four Corners

Technical Stay goal-side, read the pass, step to intercept.

Physical Work hard in short bursts; recover between reps.

Psychological Stay curious — try the theme even when it feels hard.

Social Encourage teammates; communicate early and kindly.

STEP adaptations

Space: Shrink to increase pressure; expand to invite success.
Task: Add or remove the theme condition to match the group.
Equipment: Adjust ball supply and target goals.
People: Use neutrals, floaters or overload numbers as needed.

Reflect

When did the theme appear most clearly?
What made it difficult under pressure?
What will we try again next session?

Related drills

1v1 rolling, attack/defend

1 2 3 Setup – 2 queues facing a goal each, everyone with a ball. Players from each queue alternate who’s go it is. Player scores in goal directly in front then immediately defends the second goal – player from alternate queue will be attacking. Retrieve ball and join the other queue to keep ball rolling. Reactions/Transition - How quick can you defend? Attackers – go as soon as they’ve shot/been tackled Intensity, always on toes and ready to go Ball must hit net - Should be - fun, engaging, exciting, high tempo 1v1 rolling, attack/defend

Use in creator

1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

1 Setup – 1 queues facing a goal each, everyone with a ball. Player scores in goal directly in front then immediately defends the goal – player next in queue will be attacking. After defending Retrieve ball and join the other queue to keep ball rolling. Reactions/Transition - How quick can you defend? Attackers – go as soon as they’ve shot/been tackled Intensity, always on toes and ready to go - Should be - fun, engaging, exciting, high tempo 1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

Use in creator

1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

Use in creator

1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

1 Setup – 1 queues facing a goal each, everyone with a ball. Player scores in goal directly in front then immediately defends the goal – player next in queue will be attacking. After defending Retrieve ball and join the other queue to keep ball rolling. Reactions/Transition - How quick can you defend? Attackers – go as soon as they’ve shot/been tackled Intensity, always on toes and ready to go Should be - fun, engaging, exciting, high tempo COACHES POINT:can we talk about hoe big/small the attackers touch should be as nearing the goal 1v1 rolling, attack/defend (simplified for u7s)

Use in creator