New coach guide · Open this session in the builder to change it
2019s: Shooting and Scoring
12 players · 2 coaches · cage · habit: be brave
| Minutes | Block | Game |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 | 3v3 | |
| 10 to 40 | Station 1 and Station 2, 15 minutes each | Station 1: Volcano, Station 2: Cannon Ball Clear |
| 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
Volcano
The coach keeps erupting balls along the ground and everyone chases, controls and scores in any goal.
Set up
- Mark a square.
- Place pop-up goals around the outside, facing in.
- The coach stands in the middle with all the balls. This is the volcano.
Stage 1: play it
- The volcano erupts: the coach rolls or passes a ball along the ground in any direction.
- Any child can chase a ball, control it and score in any goal.
- After scoring, bring the ball back to the volcano and go again.
- Keep erupting balls quickly, so there are always 3 or 4 balls loose.
- Team challenge: can everyone score before the volcano is empty?
Stage 2: progress it
Add 2 lava monsters in bibs who try to win balls and give them back to the volcano. Swap monsters every 60 seconds.
Stage 3: progress it
Goals must be scored first time or with a maximum of two touches.
If it's not working: Roll balls more slowly.
Keeping everyone moving: Balls come out constantly, and nobody waits for a turn.
Three things to say
- Quick first touch towards a goal.
- Look up before striking.
- Strike the ball low.
You need: balls (15 to 20), pop-up goals (4 to 6), cones (4), bibs (4)
Station 2
Cannon Ball Clear
Two teams strike balls along the ground into the other half, hunting for a Boom! in a pop-up goal.
Set up
- Mark a 20 m by 15 m box with cones.
- Mark two cone lines across the middle, 3 m apart. This is the no-go zone.
- Place 2 pop-up goals on each end line, facing in.
- Split into two teams, one per half, and scatter all the balls evenly.
Stage 1: play it
- On Cannons!, everyone strikes balls into the other team's half.
- Balls must roll or skim along the ground. High balls do not count.
- A ball that goes into the other team's pop-up goal is a Boom!: your team shouts and scores 1 point.
- Nobody enters the no-go zone. Balls that stop in it are collected by an adult.
- After 60 seconds the coach shouts Freeze! Each team counts its Booms.
- Rest 30 seconds, then play again.
Stage 2: progress it
Booms count only with the other foot.
Stage 3: progress it
Strike only from inside a hoop in your half.
If it's not working: Make the no-go zone narrower.
Keeping everyone moving: Every child has a ball or is hunting one. No one is ever out.
Three things to say
- Head up to find a goal.
- Standing foot beside the ball.
- Strike through the middle of the ball.
You need: ball (1 per child plus 6 spares), cones (8), pop-up goals (4)
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 (15 to 20)
- pop-up goals (4 to 6; 4)
- cones (4; 8)
- bibs (4)
- ball (1 per child plus 6 spares)
Habit of the week: Be brave
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: Beat Your Bests, a Shooting and Scoring game for the garden or the park.