
two teams, one team will have a freekick and send the ball into hte box, making it hard for the opposition to defend. it will be the oppositions aim to get the ball and counter attack into a specific area of the pitch (gate at half way). this helps the opposition to use areas of the pitch to pitch such as the wing to attack. it enables the defence to stay strong and play, it allows players to learn movements in counter attacking which could lead to a goal.
blue team - allow red team to get ball, then defend from getting ball to half way. when gaining posession, kick the ball to the nearest sideline. gain posession via standing tackles (not slide tackles). push red team outwards so they use wings. red team - gain posession from freekick, aim to get ball to half way (through a gate). use width of pitch when getting the ball away from the area. focus on keeping the ball on the ground. overall - focus on communication, positioning, pass accuracy, contact point on ball (all looked at in previous drill).
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
Deliberate heading is now out of U11 grassroots matches. Here is how to coach chest, thigh and foot control so your players still win the ball in the air.
Long-range goals doubled at the 2026 World Cup as teams sat deep. Here is how to coach when to shoot from distance, the technique, and the follow-up.
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.