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Playing through balls

Playing through balls

Two teams of 4, playing a diamond formation (4 play maker, 7 and 11 wide players and 10 as the creative forward. 3, 2 meter wide goals along the sides. The team in possession look

Trans

U15-U16 Game-related Advanced 65 mins 8–14 players Game tempo Transition
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Practice timer

65:00

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 · 8 mins

Warm-up rondo — Playing through balls

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.
Whole game · 18 mins

Conditioned game — Playing through balls

18:00

Directional game with a condition that makes playing through balls the easiest path to success. Multi-ball restarts.

Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; bibs.

Coaching points
  • Recognise when playing through balls is on.
  • In possession: create and use space.
  • Out of possession: organise early.
Progressions
  • Tighten space or add a scoring bonus for the theme.
Regressions
  • Add a neutral / bounce player.
Part practice · 18 mins

Playing through balls

18:00

Two teams of 4, playing a diamond formation (4 play maker, 7 and 11 wide players and 10 as the creative forward. 3, 2 meter wide goals along the sides. The team in possession look to play through balls to the number 10 who plays the other side of the cones. if he receives a pass between the cones they score a goal.

Organisation: Balls: 10; Bibs: 4; Cones: Y; Goals: 6; Other: Large cones

Coaching points
  • When out of possession the number 10 is allowed back inside the pitch and pick up the number 4.
Progressions
  • Increase pressure / reduce space / add direction.
Regressions
  • Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Game · 16 mins

Transfer game — Playing through balls

16:00

Open or lightly conditioned game. Freeze only to reinforce one coaching point from playing through balls.

Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch and numbers.

Coaching points
  • Catch them being good when the theme appears.
  • Manage challenge vs success live.
Progressions
  • Remove all conditions.
Regressions
  • Reintroduce the theme condition for 3 minutes.
Plenary · 5 mins

Review & cool down

5:00

Players share one learning from the session against the intention.

Organisation: Team huddle.

Coaching points
  • Link back to Four Corners and next session.

Related drills

Drill 17

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

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GOAL

GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL Dribbling & Protecting: Yellow Team trying to dribble through as many goals as possible and get as many points as possible Blue Team defenders must use their ball to knock yellow teams balls away and reset them to zero goals Few rounds see how can get the most points Rotate defenders

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Through The Gate - 2nd runs

Through The Gate - 2nd runs Square with 2 teams - 2 teams inside playing “keep-ball” - Points from passing through gates Passes must be received on the outside by someone making a run – players cannot wait outside and most run to receive. Gates in 2 colours, on coaches call only 1 colour gate can be used. Communication Timing Scanning 2nd runs Progression: Player on outside must complete a pass back to team mate for the goal Progression 2: Teams players are numbered and players making runs must be in order 1,2,3,4,5 etc

Use in creator

Drill 130

Passing w/communication: 1st round, pass, call the name and 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 3: Go up and down the 4 cones, pass and follow, last player goes back to start Prog 4: bounce pass in between each pass

Use in creator

Related sessions

Library Creator Install