U7 · Dribble to score block · Week 2 of 6 · New games

The hip drop

Block weeks123456
The session at a glance
  1. ArriveStop It Dead while you set up (8 min)
  2. Hip dropTechnical · drop a shoulder, go the other way (10 min)
  3. Ten beatsChallenge · ten beats (8 min)
  4. Wide 2v1Opposed · use the width (8 min)
  5. Change paceFamiliar game · with a feint (8 min)
  6. Gate match3v3 · score through a gate (14 min)

Minutes per stage. The last block is the conditioned game or the closing game. The dashed block is for changeovers and water.

Kit

9 conesPlus 2 goals. Use small goals, or two cones for each goal.
6 ballsOne per player for the first games, one per group after that.
BibsTwo colours for the two teams. Plus one for a defender.
Different numbers?
PlayersGroupsWho plays
61Two teams of three on one small pitch, with the other adult helping
724 and 3, one adult with each; one player rotates out each game
824 and 4, each as 2v2 plus a rotating player
93Three teams of three on a carousel
1025 and 5, each group as 3v2 plus a rotating player
1126 and 5, with rotating players
122Two pitches of 3v3

No more than six players per adult. Stage 6 is a 3v3 carousel on up to four small pitches, so nobody waits. Every player plays about the same time.

Arrive

Stop It Dead while you set up · 8 min

KitA ball each4 lines or 8 cones

As each player arrives, they take a ball and dribble anywhere. Each time you pass another player, stop your ball dead under the sole, then go again.

The twist: after the stop, burst into a free space.

While the players play, set up the area for the next game.

Set up

Nothing to set up. Players start as they arrive, each with a ball, beside the area you are building.

How it runs
  1. Dribble anywhere with a ball.
  2. Each time you pass another player, stop your ball dead under the sole.
  3. Then burst into a free space and go again.
What to look for
  • Sole on top of the ball, ball still
  • A clear burst after the stop
Easier

Stop the ball only when you hear a call.

Harder

Stop it, then change direction as you burst.

Ask: Where did you burst to?

Hip drop

Technical · drop a shoulder, go the other way · 10 min

Kit9 cones, a line of 3 for each playerA ball each

Three cones in each lane. Drop a shoulder one way, then go the other, and burst. Then do it with the other shoulder.

Set up

Three cones in a lane for each player, a few steps apart. Each player has a ball and a lane.

How it runs
  1. Dribble to the first cone as if it is a defender.
  2. Drop one shoulder as if you will go that way, then go the other way and burst.
  3. Repeat at each cone, then do it with the other shoulder.
What to look for
  • The shoulder dropping clearly before the move
  • The ball staying close until the burst
Easier

Use one cone and go slowly.

Harder

Do it at speed with the weaker foot.

Ask: Which shoulder did you drop?

Ten beats

Challenge · ten beats · 8 min

KitA ball per pairBibs for the defenders1 line or 2 cones

Count how many defenders you beat in a row, up to ten. If the defender wins the ball or the ball goes out, start again at one. No timer.

Set up

Pairs in lanes. One attacker with a ball, one defender in a bib, and a line to cross. Count out loud.

How it runs
  1. The attacker beats the defender and counts one.
  2. Go back and beat them again for two, and so on up to ten.
  3. If the defender wins the ball or it goes out, start again at one.
  4. Swap roles after each go.
What to look for
  • Players counting out loud
  • Different moves, not the same one every time
Easier

The defender walks.

Harder

The defender jogs.

Ask: How many did you get?

Wide 2v1

Opposed · use the width · 8 min

Kit1 small goalA ball per groupBibs for the defenders

2v1 with a goal. One attacker stays wide, the other dribbles in the middle. If the defender goes wide, dribble and shoot. If not, pass wide.

Set up

One small goal. Groups of three: two attackers with a ball and one defender in a bib. One attacker starts wide on the side, the other in the middle.

How it runs
  1. The middle attacker dribbles at the defender.
  2. If the defender goes toward the wide player, dribble and shoot.
  3. If the defender stays in the middle, pass wide.
  4. Swap roles after each go.
What to look for
  • The wide player staying wide, not drifting in
  • The dribbler watching where the defender looks
Easier

The defender must stay in the middle.

Harder

The defender may choose where to go.

SafetyBalls only go toward the goal. Keep the area behind and beside it clear, and ask players to wait while others fetch.

Ask: Where was the defender looking?

Change of pace

Familiar game · with a feint · 8 min

Kit2 linesA ball each

Change of pace from week 1. Today add a feint before the burst: show the ball one way, then burst.

Set up

Mark a start line and a far line with cones. Each player has a ball and starts on the start line, spread out.

How it runs
  1. Dribble slowly toward the middle line.
  2. Show the ball one way as a feint.
  3. Then burst away the other way.
  4. Dribble back slowly and go again.
What to look for
  • A clear feint before each burst
  • Players slowing down first
Easier

Feint with the body only, then burst.

Harder

Burst on the weaker foot.

Ask: What was your feint?

Gate match

3v3 · score through a gate · 14 min

Kit2 small goalsA ball per groupBibs, two colours2 cones as the halfway gate

3v3, a goal at each end. A goal counts double if a player has dribbled through the halfway gate first. Rotate so everyone gets to attack.

Set up

A small pitch with a small goal at each end and no goalkeepers. Two teams of three, one team in bibs. Spare players wait at the side.

How it runs
  1. Play 3v3. Score in either goal.
  2. A goal counts double if the scorer has dribbled through the halfway gate first. Mark the gate with two cones on the halfway line.
  3. Restart with a pass after each goal.
  4. Rotate players every few minutes so everyone gets to attack.
What to look for
  • Players choosing to dribble through the gate
  • Teammates giving the dribbler space
Easier

Make the gate wider.

Harder

Make the gate narrower.

Ask: Who dribbled through the gate?

Go deeper

Optional. The detail behind the three coaching points, for when you want more. Starting points for a coach to adjust, not rules.

Beating a defender

Show it, change pace, and go past.

Most useful in stages 2, 3, 5.

What good looks like

  • Pretend to go one way with a lean or a small touch.
  • Then a big touch past the other side.
  • Speed up after the move. The change of pace does most of the work.

If you see this, try this

  • Slows down for the trick and stays slowThe first step after the move is a big touch and a sprint.
  • Dribbles straight into the defenderShow the move a few steps before the defender.

More detail

  • Start with a defender who walks. Make it a real defender only when most players succeed.
  • Let every player have a go at both sides.

Ask the players

  • Which way did you pretend to go?

Change it

Easier: A cone instead of a defender, then a defender who walks.

Harder: A defender who jogs, then plays normally.

Shooting: when and where

Look at the goal, pick a spot, and shoot while you have the chance.

Most useful in stage 4.

What good looks like

  • Look at the goal, and the goalkeeper, before you shoot.
  • Pick a corner. Low and away from the goalkeeper is hard to save.
  • Shoot early, before the defender closes you down.
  • Follow the shot in for a rebound.

If you see this, try this

  • Waits too long and the shot is blockedIf there is space and a goal, shoot.
  • Always shoots at the goalkeeperPick a corner and look at it before you strike.

More detail

  • Control the ball or shoot first time? Both are right at times. Ask the player to decide.
  • Disguise: look one way and shoot the other. It helps the shot surprise the goalkeeper.

Ask the players

  • Why did you shoot there?

Change it

Easier: Closer to goal, with no defender.

Harder: A closing defender, or a goalkeeper.

Up next: week 3 of 6Wiggle and burstFree

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