New coach guide · Open this session in the builder to change it
2019s: Brave 1v1
12 players · 2 coaches · cage · habit: lift each other
| Minutes | Block | Game |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 | 3v3 | |
| 10 to 40 | Station 1 and Station 2, 15 minutes each | Station 1: 1v1 Lanes, Station 2: Cone Knockers |
| 40 to 60 | Match | A match |
0 to 10 min 3v3
Set up two small pitches with a goal at each end. As children arrive they go straight in: 1v1, then 2v2, then 3v3. Coaches feed a spare ball in from the side the moment one goes out. No throw-ins or corners: dribble it in or pass it in, to keep it fast. The match is the warm-up.
10 to 40 min Station 1 and Station 2, 15 minutes each
Two groups of about 6. Group 1 starts on Station 1, group 2 on Station 2. Swap at 25 minutes. A coach at each station.
Station 1
1v1 Lanes
1v1 in a small grid: dribble past and stop the ball in the end zone, or win it and counter.
Set up
- Set up a number of 10 by 10 grids with an end zone at each end.
- One player in each colour per grid.
Stage 1: play it
- The first player passes to the second, who tries to dribble past and score by stopping the ball in the end zone.
- If the first player wins the ball they counter attack by dribbling over the far line. Getting to the line is a point.
- Players rotate roles and rotate around the grids to face different players.
Keeping everyone moving: Rotate opponents by moving one grid clockwise, never by score.
Three things to say
- First touch, attacking at speed.
- Feints, turns and protecting the ball.
- Defending: body shape, close down, don't dive in.
You need: balls, bibs, cones
From the Irish FA Grassroots Resource Booklet
Station 2
Cone Knockers
Guard your own cone and try to knock your partner's, both attacking and defending all the time.
Set up
- Mark a 10 m by 8 m zone for each pair.
- Put 2 tall cones about 6 m apart.
- Ring each cone with discs to make a 2 m no-step circle.
- Number the zones for Move One.
Stage 1: play it
- Each child guards their own cone.
- Try to knock your partner's cone with your ball, passing from outside their circle.
- Nobody may step inside a circle.
- Protect your cone by moving your feet, not your hands.
- Count the pair's total knocks in 60 seconds.
- Move One, then play again.
Stage 2: progress it
Only knocks after a fake count.
Stage 3: progress it
Practice foot only.
If it's not working: Bigger cones, smaller circles.
Keeping everyone moving: Both players attack and defend all the time. There is no restart line and no waiting.
Three things to say
- Dribble close before passing.
- Keep one eye on your own cone.
- Get your body across quickly.
You need: ball (1 per child), tall cones (2 per pair), discs (8 per pair), bibs (for Move One rotation)
40 to 60 min Match
A match
One big pitch, 6v6 with goalkeepers. Kick-ins or dribble-ins instead of throw-ins, to keep the touches up. A spare ball comes in the moment one goes out. One coach refs, the other feeds spare balls from the side.
Equipment for the whole session
- balls
- bibs (for Move One rotation)
- cones
- ball (1 per child)
- tall cones (2 per pair)
- discs (8 per pair)
Habit of the week: Lift each other
Say it at the start, watch for it all session, name one moment on the walk off.
Reminders
- Drinks when moving. The huddle is the walk off: one moment of the habit, with the child's name.
- A ball at every foot. Nobody stands without one for 30 seconds.
- No queues and nobody is ever out.
- Talk under 30 seconds. Show it, don't tell it.
- Every game has stages: start at stage 1 and move on when it is working.
This week at home
For parents: Bottle Knockers, a Brave 1v1 game for the garden or the park.