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
6m
11m
11m
12m
5m
Arrival · 6 mins
Match-day movers (U5-U6)
6:00
Fun ball each activity linked to pre-match activation. 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 — Pre-match activation
11:00
Simple game that repeats the picture of pre-match activation 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 Pre-match activation
11:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve pre-match activation 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 Pre-match activation
12:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards pre-match activation. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for pre-match activation.
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
Warmup
Warmup:
Players in Lines, simple pass to player in front then run to back of the line
Maximum 2 touches 1 if we can
After a few rotations change the run to the back of the opposite line
Coaching Points:
Focus on the quality of the pass – especially when you get out of breath and gassed.
2) Always alert ready to receive the ball
3) MAKE IT WORK – If the pass/touch is off make it work, treat it like a match!
Warmup
Warmup:
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
Pass and move – left/right:
Players in Pairs, standing opposite each other – 1 with ball
Player 2 must do a number 8 shape around the 2 cones and as they come round each cone will be passed the ball to return on the left then right foot
Ball will be passed 10 times with each foot, then players switch
Process will be repeated doing 8 passes, then 6, 4, 2.
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 arrive
Warmup Continuation
Warmup:
Players in Pairs, standing over the ball in the middle
One player uses drag backs to take the ball all the way back to their cone and then passes it to the player in the middle
Once they’ve passed the ball they must do their second job which is “get back to the middle”
The other player will then drag the ball back to their cone and pass it back
repeat
Coaching Points:
Focus on the quality of the pass
Passing & Drag backs – u7 girls