Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U7 Practice Plan - Session Ten

Nuts & Squirrels (10 mins)

Organization:

1. Teams are divided into 4 groups – all of the balls and comes are positioned in the middle square. 

2. On coach’s command, 1 player from each group collects a ball (nut) from the middle with their feet. Player dribbles the ball back to their assigned team square (nest) 

3. Next player can go when the ball is stopped in the nest. 

4. When the coach stops the game, the team with the most nuts in their nest wins the game. 

Progressions: 

a) Easier – Instead of dribbling the ball players uses hands

b) Harder – One player from each group is allowed to steal a ball from the other team’s squares

Island Dribbling (10 mins)

Organization:

• 20x25 playing area marked with cones in the corners. Use three cones to make a triangle or island and create 8 islands in the grid. Each player will start with a ball.

Instructions:

• Players look to dribble through islands as fast as possible in 45 seconds. Can players improve on their last score?

• Players now need to perform a move in the center of the island.
• Player will have to perform a move to beat or escape a defender in the center of the island: such as inside cut, scissor, step over, etc
  

• Main coaching objectives – develop confidence on the ball and quickness when performing moves.
• Coaching tips – the triangle/island encourages players to dribble in one side and out another side. Emphasize that players should accelerate after the move.
• Adaptations – add two ‘taggers’ in the final stage to increase difficulty
• Dribbling basics, Turning basics, Feints and dribble, Beating an opponent, Escaping an opponent.

4v4 Games (15 mins)

Set Up:

3 fields, 4v4 on each.

Instructions:

4v4 game with small nets or end-zone. No GK in these games

Coaching Points:

Accurate passes and receive on the turn

Immidiate support (pass & move)

Communication