
To progress this, the exercise is then played opposed at match speed. The attacking team must work the ball around until they can get in to a position to cross. If the defending team win the ball, they must try and retain possession and get the ball through either of the mini goals positioned at the other end of the pitch. The "attacking team" must react to the transition and try to win the ball back.
If the attacking team are struggling to get the ball wide to get crosses in, you can introduce fullbacks on their team, allowing them to overload on the wings against the defensive teams fullback.
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.