Square area of 20 yards by 20 yards with 7 gates scattered around.
Players to pair up and have 1 ball between 2. Person with the ball has to dribble through a gate to get a point. Person without the ball has to try and tackle the person with the ball and dribble through the gates.
Allow 2 minutes to get as many points as possible and then top scorers go with each other and lowest scorers go with each other.
Award points for players that attempt a skill to evade a player. Award double points if it is successful.
In between each go, look at the coaching points (as stated in the coaching points box). Have a player review of their performance - did they complete the coaching points? How did they? (Demo?) Can they improve their performance? How?
Frequently look up to spot the space and look to exploit it.
Use effective skills to beat the defender.
Use both feet.
Attack a gate at speed.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
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.
Most 1v1s are lost in the first second, when the defender rushes in and dives. Teach your players to slow the attacker down, take away the dangerous option and pick the right moment, and they will win far more of them.
The FA's FutureFit framework lands this season, bringing a 3v3 entry format at Under-7s. Here is what actually changes on a Saturday morning, and how to coach it well.