Training Session Planner (Session 1)

Football Specific Theme: 4 v 4 games Age Group: 8-9 Years

Warm Up:
1) In pairs one ball. Player in front
with ball at his feet, when
coaches shout out a number. The
players face each other and play
that number of passes before
continuing.

Progression: Player in front with

ball in hand and continue with
volley’s or control and pass, on
coaches shout.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Awareness of space, quality of passes.

4V4 Game: Line Ball

Objective: To encourage dribbling and
creative play.

Set Up:

1) Dribble ball over the line and trap to

score point.

2) Basic shape of diamond emphasis

on penetration, dribbling, wall pass.

3) Progress to pass over line and trap

to score.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

 Session Planner (Page 2)

4v4 Game with no

goalkeepers
1) Concentrate on players being
allowed to express themselves.

2) Encourage a Diamond Shape, but

do not over coach team shape.

3) Main coaching points are depth -

length - width.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

4 Goal Game Wide

Set Up: Four goal game, Directional
teams can score in any 2 of the goals
they are facing.
.
Encourage width of play and change
of direction.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

 Training Session Plan (Page 3)

D. SMALL-SIDED 4v4 GAMES

Top Left: End line game - dribble over

endline to score.

Top Right: Keep Ball - e.g. 5

consecutive passes = 1 goal

Bottom Left: 4v4 with or without Gk's

Bottom Right: 4 goal game - score in

any of opponents two goals - emphasis
on width.

All games kick in from side to re-start

and are 5 minutes in duration.

Cool Down - Opposites

Set up: Area suitable for free
movement. Players move freely
around area responding to commands
from coach e.g. stop, go, change
direction, jump up, hands down etc.
Once group are familiar with
commands coach then asks for
opposite movements from which are
called. E.g. change direction = don’t
change direction.

Objective :
To gradually decrease heart-rate and
to calm group.

Progression:
1. ‘Low intensity fun exercise’ for
players do not follow the
coaches command. (eg.
Standing on one leg touching
nose)
2. A ball can also be used and
players can dribble while they
follow commands.

Coaching Points: Ensure the players slow the work rate down over the course of the cool down and
decrease their heart rate. Players should also be encouraged to do some static stretches 2 hours after the
end of the training session
 Training Session Planner Page 3

4 v 4 Games: 15- 20mins

Set-Up: Set up multiple pitches for large

numbers, pitch size should vary based on
size of players. 25m x30m is a good base.
Start Players in Diamond formation, When
team as the ball tell them to make pitch
big by asking players to go long and wide,
when not with the ball make the pitch
small, by coming in from the side and
coming short.

Always reiterate the points asked for in

the bedding down and game related
practice.

Cool Down (5 mins)

Set Up: Half the group dribble freely in a

defined area, whilst the other half follow
static stretching activity. Switch group
every 60 seconds. Players in possession
can attempt to nutmeg or pass round and
retrieve players performing stretches.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: It is good for young children to develop good habits although warm ups and cool downs are not
necessary at young age it is good to encourage good habits. Ensure the players slow their running down over the
course of the cool down and decrease their heart rate. Players should also be encouraged to do some static stretches
2 hours after the end of the training session
 Training Session Planner (Session 5)

Football Specific Theme: 4 v 4 games Age Group: 8-9 Years

Warm Up:
1) In pairs one ball. Player in front
with ball at his feet, when
coaches shout out a number. The
players face each other and play
that number of passes before
continuing.

Progression: Player in front with

ball in hand and continue with
volley’s or control and pass, on
coaches shout.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Awareness of space, quality of passes.

4V4 Game: Line Ball

Objective: To encourage dribbling and
creative play.

Set Up:

1) Dribble ball over the line and trap to

score point.

2) Basic shape of diamond emphasis

on penetration, dribbling, wall pass.

3) Progress to pass over line and trap

to score.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

 Session Planner (Page 3)

4 Goal Game.
4v4 Game – 4 Goals Dribble to Score

1/ Concentrate on players being

allowed to express themselves.

2/Main coaching points are depth -

length - width.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Cool Down -
Half the group dribble freely in a
defined area, whilst the other half
follow static stretching activity. Switch
group every 60 seconds. Players in
possession can attempt to nutmeg or
pass round and retrieve players
performing stretches.

Objective : To gradually decrease

heart-rate and to calm group.

Progression: The exercise should be

done at Jogging pace then slowed to
walking pace to lower the heart rate.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

 Notes for Coaches

Conduct During Games: Session Preparation:

1. Be a role model for the children 1. Plan session and equipment needed
you are coaching. in advance.
2. Use language that children will 2. Try to get to the training area first to
understand. set up and check for obstacles.
3. Provide encouragement to players 3. Create an exciting atmosphere.
when they are performing well and
encourage those who are not 4. Focus on coaching position and if
equally. required kneel to the height of the
4. The result of the game is not children that you are coaching.
important at this age, the focus is
on enjoyment and developing the 5. Adapt sessions to challenge those
skills required for the future. who are finding to straight forward
5. Do not dispute decision’s. and support those who are
struggling.
6. Create a fun environment and do
not create additional pressure by
shouting or using threatening
language.
7. During games it is sometimes
better to let the children play
without noise from the side.

Ideal Shape for 4v4 with

possession of ball.
As shown in the Scottish FA small
sided games DVD the ideal shape for
a 4v4 game is a Diamond Formation
with 2 players wide and 1 up and 1
deep as shown in the diagram
opposite. Team should start narrow
and short and break wide and long
when player 1 receives the pass.

Try to encourage the players to create

this shape however do not over coach
shape, use appropriate language,
make the pitch big, just come closer to
the side line, go closer to their goal,
move closer to our goal. KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble
 Training Session Planner (Page 2)

Fun Game
Set Up: Organise 4 coloured groups
into areas opposite target. Target can
be cones or balls placed on top of disk
markers. To be the first team to knock
down all their targets. Poor passes
will hand advantage to other teams in
the race to be first to complete the
task.

Progression: Change layout of cones

to make it more changing or put and
end-line and use balls the winning
team is the team who has hit or the
balls passed the end line.
KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Focus on quality and accuracy of the pass, ensure players stay the set distance from the
cones to avoid conflict.

Skill Practice (Control)

Set Up: Red passes to yellow, control
and pass back 3x then switch roles.
Work both right/left foot.

Progression
Red passes to yellow who is standing
behind the cone. Yellow to control and
move the ball around the cone and
pass back 3x then switch roles. Work
both right/left foot.

Extension: Red throws to yellow so

you have to control a bouncing
ball/control with outside of foot or
thigh.

Support: Decrease distance of

pass/feed can be a roll/increase KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble
number of touches allowed.

Coaching Points: Relax, open body, inside of foot to control, cushion pass, use first touch to move the ball
in the direction you want to go.
 Training Session Planner (Page 2)

Fun Game
Gladiators

Number of players have ball and one

defender tries to stop them getting
into safety zone. If he gets a touch of
ball attacking player becomes a
defender. As the number of players
with the ball get less make defenders
go as crabs.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Encourage different types of dribbling, tapping ball with front of foot for a fast
dribble. Instep dribbling to avoid trouble, encourage the use of the body to protect ball from defending
player.

Skills Practice 1 (15 mins)

Shooting
Set Up: Player 1 passes to player 2
who controls the ball before having a
shot on goal.
Player 1 then goes and joins in the
line of 2’s.

Support: Player 2 can control the

ball taking a number of touches before
having a shot.

Extension; Player 2 can hit the ball

first time with no control.
Place bibs in top corner of goal and
ask players to try to hit that.

Coaching Points: Focus on technique and not power at this stage, for a strike with front of foot
ensure plant foot is straight and flat next to the ball, for a straight shot make sure the striking foot is
straight on the follow through. The back should be straight on impact with the ball. For a side foot shot
ensure body is balanced and the plant foot is facing the direction the ball is intended to go.
 Training Session Planner Page 2

Bedding Down – Penetration (10- 15mins)

(Bib players up)

Objective: To show 3 penetrative options in a 2v1

scenario. Bedding Down: 2v1 in Channel 10m
x20m, First touch can determine how the play
develops:

Option 1. 1st Attacker (Player 1) passes to 2nd

Attacker (Player 2), and attacking player turns to
make a penetrating run at the first defender with
a dribble. Coaching Points: Player must make
a movement to create space to be able to turn
and face the defender, Player one needs to move
the ball to signal to 2nd Attacker to make the
move.

Option 2. Player 1 passes to player 2, player 2

takes the ball and shields to ball then plays the
ball back to player 1 who has made a penetrating
run, timing of the run is important, the weight and
angle of the pass played from player 2 is KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble
important. Ball must be played ahead of player 1
Option 3. player 1 drives forward dribbling the ball, he
so he/she can run on to it. Alternatively player 2
should drive towards the defender, player 2 should move
can fake a pass to player 1 and take the ball on
to ensure he stays onside and provide a supporting run to
himself.
allow the 1st attacker to either use player 2 as a decoy or to
play him the ball. For support, the supporting player must
never go beyond the ball.

Game Related – 10 -15 mins

Penetration

Set up: 1 V 1 with goalkeepers in one

half. 3 v 3 with floater in other half.
Attacking team play 3 passes then can
play pass to striker. Player who played
the pass supports striker, then change to
make the closest player supports to make
a 2v1.

If defenders win possession they can

score by passing into any of the 3 gates
at the other end of the pitch.

Progression: Allow 1 defender to support

and 2 midfielders creating a 3v2 in favour
of the attacking team.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching points: enforce points made in channel. Timing of run of player making a penetrating run, weight of
pass played to player. signal intent to play pass, penetrating pass can be made in the 2nd phase of play. Player
receiving the ball should create space between himself and the defender so he can turn and dribble past.
 Training Session Planner (Session 2)

Football Specific Theme: Creative Player Age Group: 8- 9 Years

Warm Up - Touch & Technique Activities

Players with a ball each dribble freely inside

the defined playing area.

Coach provides instruction on various

conditioned movements with the ball as
follows.

a) inside-inside; b) inside-outside; c) turn-in;

d) turn-out; f) change g) toe-taps.

Players perform the conditioned activity for a

set-time before moving freely again.
Coaching Points: encourage players to take
soft touches, lift head for awareness and
control speed of movement.
KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Awareness of space, head up, look for space to dribble into, use both feet.

Activity 1:
Creative Player 1 v 1's

Set up: Rectangle with 2 gates on

each side.

Objective: Yellow player 1 iniatiates

move (without ball) and sprints
through either of the side gates
without being tagged by Red player 1.
Repeat with player 2 then 3 etc.

Progression 1. Introduce ball

Progress to 4 v 4 game - score in any

goal / min 5yd distance before
permitted to score / add side players
and introduce switches of play KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Use a change of direction if required, take touch to protect ball from defending
player, put body between ball and defender.
 Training Session Planner (Session 4)

Football Specific Theme: Penetration Age Group: 8-9 Years

Warm Up 5 to 10mins

Set Up: Mark-out boxed area for activity.

Team divided into 4 teams of different
colours. All colours have opportunity to
do different roles detailed below. One
colour act as chasers and try tig other
players, players once caught must stand
still and lift hand. They are freed by being
touched by team-mates (the 3 colours not
chasers).
Progression: (1) 2nd colour has ball
each (cannot be caught). They will move
around area with ball and will free caught
players by play passes through their legs.
(2) Players with ball cannot be caught.
Caught players are freed by receiving a
pass

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Coaching Points: Emphasis throughout this warm-up is placed on accuracy of pass to free players, weight of pass
(too slow through legs/too fast), timing of pass (proximity of chaser - will player be caught again quickly?). When
caught comments can made about non-verbal gestures to team-mates to get free or to shout for help.

Speed and Agility 10 to 15 mins

Aim - To develop fast feet, speed and

agility. This circuit will also develop
coordination and advance knowledge of
other players and decision making.

Description -

Players start at point 1 & 6. They work

through each task moving into touch the
centre cone (point 2) before moving in a
clock wise direction through the circuit.
Players always jog between stations.

KEY: - - - - > Ball Path  Player Path -------> Dribble

Route from point 1:
Point 1 - Multiple jumps , Point 2 - Centre cone has to be touched after each exercise. Point 3 - Fast feet through
ladders, Point 4 - Zigzag through flags/cones Point 5 - Jog back through gate, Point 6 - Multiple Jumps Point 7 -
Fast feet through ladders, Point 8 - Zigzag through, Point 9 - Jog through gate and restart at point one