Skill Introduction
Positioned inside a large grid of approximately 40m x 40m are a number of 5m x 5m x 5m triangular grids. The players are split into 2 groups (orange and yellow) of
equal numbers, orange with ball and yellow without.
The number of triangular grids equals the number of players per group.
Of the group without the ball, each player must stand inside a triangular grid (see diagram).
The orange players dribble around the area and ‘attack’ the triangles from any possible side. Only one player can attack a triangle at the same time (awareness;
communication).
The yellow players have to ‘defend’ the borders of their triangles
(passively at the beginning).
Change roles of groups regularly.
Player actions/Tasks to encourage:
“Make feints” (free choice or prescribed)
“Now only use your weaker foot”
“Now increase the tempo but avoid collisions” (“heads up”)
“Defenders, gradually raise the resistance”
“Defenders now full resistance, try to stop the attackers entering your grid”
concluding game:
Each player individually counts the number of times they are able to beat
a defender and dribble through their triangle.
“You have 2 minutes”
“What is the group’s total?”
“OK, now change roles and see if your group can beat that number”
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.