Carnmoney Colts Academy badgeCarnmoney ColtsAcademy Join

Practice games

First Touch

The keeper serves, whoever touches it first becomes the defender, and the other two play 2v1 to goal.

Practice 13 min 4 to 12 players Cage Half pitch 2016 to 2017

Win It, Keep It, Score Brave 1v1 Work hard

At a glance

  • 20 by 20 grid with a goal, several grids at once. Three players and a keeper (GK): a child who'd like a go, or the coach.
  • GK serves by hand to any of the three. Whoever touches it first defends: they pass to either of the others, then defend 2v1.
  • A goal, a save or the defender winning it ends the go. GK serves again.
  • Shots from 8 m and below the waist.
  • Progress 1: The keeper counts to ten out loud from the pass: the attackers must score before ten.
  • Progress 2: First-time finish only: the attackers shoot with their first touch.

If it's not working: The keeper rolls the ball gently along the ground.

First Touch: set-upGK1231 serve, 2 first touch passes on, 3 the two go 2v1.20 m by 20 m
  • attackers
  • defender
  • GKkeeper
  • dribble
  • pass
  • throw or roll
  • 1in this order

One grid, with a keeper and three players. The keeper serves the ball in by hand. Whoever touches it first (yellow here) is the defender: they pass to either of the other two, then turn to defend 2v1 while those two try to score. A goal, a save or the defender winning it ends the go: the keeper serves again.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Mark a 20 by 20 grid with a goal.
  • A keeper in goal and three players in the grid.

Balls, bibs and cones. A 20 by 20 grid with a goal for each group of four: a keeper and three players. Run up to three grids.

How to play

  • The keeper serves the ball by hand to any of the three players. Whoever touches it first becomes the defender.
  • The defender passes to either of the other two, who are the attackers, then defends 2v1 while they try to score.
  • A goal, a save or the defender winning the ball ends the go. The keeper serves again.
  • A child goes in goal only if they would like to. If nobody would, the coach goes in goal and serves. Shots from 8 m and below the waist.

Keeping everyone moving

Several grids so groups of four play at once.

Make it easier

  • The keeper rolls the ball gently along the ground, so it is easy to control.
  • The defender walks after passing, giving the two attackers time to work a shot.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. The keeper counts to ten out loud from the pass: the attackers must score before ten.
  2. First-time finish only: the attackers shoot with their first touch.

Three things to say

  • First touch into space.
  • Shoot early.
  • Defenders: pass, then get back quickly.

Colts habit

Work hard: the defender's job starts the moment they pass.

Both feet

First touch with the practice foot.

Heads up

Look up as the keeper serves.

The Colts change: Several grids so groups of four play at once. The keeper is a child only if they would like to go in.

Safety: Academy keeper safety rules apply.