Project 2030 / Grassroots
You volunteered to coach a team of seven and eight-year-olds. Here's a season of practices, every game drawn out, and the stuff nobody tells you beforehand.
All the games
All 23 of them, each one drawn out. Handy if you want to swap something out, run a favourite again, or fill ten minutes you didn't plan for.
What the pictures mean
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Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go forwards, go to goal
If there's a gap in front of you, what should you do?
Go forwards, towards the goal, whenever you can.When is it better to pass than to dribble?
When everything in front of you is blocked - then pass and let your teammate try.Tip This isn't a teaching bit. Say hello to everyone as they arrive, watch what they're doing, and maybe ask a question or two when you pause.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Turn, spread out, score
Who decides whether to pass, dribble or shoot?
Whoever's got the ball. Let them choose - that's the whole point.How can you help whoever's got the ball?
If it's crowded near the goal, move somewhere else so they've got another option.Tip Don't stop it for restarts, and try not to coach every play. Let them play.
Mark a wide goal out of cones at each end of your space. Put everyone in pairs sharing one ball. One pair are the bandits and don't get a ball.
Shout Heads up, find the gap, go through it
Where can you go if a bandit is blocking your way to the goal?
Tell your partner to move somewhere else and make a new gap.What are the two ways of getting the ball through a gap?
Dribble through it, or pass through it.Which bit of your foot do you use to run with the ball?
Your laces - toes pointed down, and push the ball out in front of you.If it's too hard
Same setup, but every kid has their own ball and you're the only bandit. They dribble into either goal, then turn and go for the other. If you get their ball, their score goes back to zero. Once they've got the idea, put two of them together sharing a ball.
If it's too easy
Same space, teams of two. Two separate 2v2 games run at the same time, sharing the same goals - each team defends one and attacks the other. Score by dribbling in or passing to a teammate in the goal. After a goal the scorers back off and let the ball come back out.
Tip Fun twist: once the bandits get a ball into a hideout, they become scorers and the pair who lost it become the new bandits.
Split your space into two small fields and put a goal in each corner, so there are four per field. Play 2v2 with the other teams waiting on the side. Scatter spare balls around so you can restart instantly.
Shout Which goal is open?
What can you do if nobody's near you?
Run at the nearest goal and score.Where can you go if it's crowded in front of the goal?
Switch across to the other goal - a big kick over there works.How do you aim at the goal?
Turn and face it, point your other foot at it, and hit through the middle of the ball.If it's too hard
Same four goals. You stand at the side with all the balls and one team waits on each side. Before you roll a ball in, call which team sends two players and which sends one. Both teams go for it. The round ends on a goal or when the ball goes out - everyone comes off and you roll the next one in.
If it's too easy
Same setup played 3v3, swapping a sub in at least every couple of minutes. If the ball goes out, whichever team didn't kick it out grabs a spare and plays on.
Tip Eight kids only needs one field. Fewer than that, make three teams - two play, one has a breather.
Mark a strip right across the middle of your space - that's the dog pound - with a goal at each end. You and any other grown-ups start in the pound as dog catchers, with no ball. Every pair shares a ball and lines up on an end line.
Shout Get through quick, keep moving
What's the fastest way through the middle?
Dribble through if there's room, or knock it through to your partner.Where should your partner go to help you get through?
To a gap on the far side, ready for the ball.If your partner's close by, which bit of your foot do you pass with?
The inside - the flat bit - toes turned out, and swing through the middle of the ball.If it's too hard
Same strip and goals, but nobody's catching. Pairs just go as fast as they can through the middle and score. They lose their points if the ball goes out the side. You can stand in the strip as a thing to dribble around.
If it's too easy
Take the strip away. The catchers can go anywhere. Pairs get past them, score, then turn and go the other way. Everything else stays the same.
Tip Kids can be catchers too, working in pairs inside the strip. After a few goes, let a catcher who wins a ball swap places with the kid they got it from.
Split your space into two small fields and mark a short scoring zone across each end. One team waits behind one zone with the balls, the other behind the opposite one.
Shout Find the gap, trick the defender
What do you do if there's a clear run all the way?
Run straight at the zone with it.How can you use your teammate to trick the defender?
Swing your leg like you're passing but don't touch it - then go the other way.If there's a gap, how do you get there fastest?
Push it further out in front and run onto it.If it's too hard
Same fields and zones, but two kids go on sharing one ball against a single defender. The round ends as soon as the ball's scored or knocked out, or after a minute.
If it's too easy
Same fields, but with a scoring zone at one end and a proper goal at the other. The team of three starts with the ball and goes for the goal. The team of two scores by stopping the ball in the zone. First goal wins the round. Swap sides every few rounds.
Tip Cheer on whoever's got the ball at the start, then once it's two against two, talk about the choices they're making.
Dot several little triangle goals around your space. Pick one fewer defender than there are triangles. Everyone else pairs up and shares a ball.
Shout Get in the way, win the ball
How do you know where they're coming from?
Keep your head up and keep looking around.Where do you go if your goal's safe but another one isn't?
Over to the one that isn't covered - get between them and it.How do you get the ball off someone?
Get close, then either poke it away with your toe or put your foot in front of it so they can't push it forward.If it's too hard
Only two triangles, one defender each. They can win the ball properly or just tag the kid who's got it - either one sends that pair back to zero. You can join in with a pair if the numbers need it, but let the kids be the defenders.
If it's too easy
Two triangles, one in each half. Two teams of three - each attacks one and defends the other, scoring by passing or dribbling through. You can't stand inside the one you're defending. After a goal, the scorers leave the ball and get back to protect theirs while the others come at them.
Tip This one's about defending, so talk to the defenders. Let the pairs get on with it.
Mark a small field with a goal at each end - two of them if you've got the numbers. Split the group in half, with each half waiting in the two corners of their own end line. You stand off to the side with all the balls.
Shout Get back, get in the way
What's your job the second the other team gets the ball?
One of you goes at the ball, the other gets back and covers the goal.Where do you go if they get past you?
Back towards your own goal.How do you get the ball off them?
Get close, then poke it away or block it so they can't push it forward.If it's too hard
Same idea, but whichever side you roll the ball to sends one player and the other side sends two - so the defenders have an extra.
If it's too easy
Use the whole space. Whichever side you roll it to sends four, the other sends three. Rounds last a minute, and you throw a new ball in whenever one goes out.
Tip Roll the ball to whoever's had the least to do, and aim it nearer one team than the other rather than straight down the middle.
Put three small goals along one end line and a single goal at the other. Half the group waits at each end. The team defending the single goal starts with the ball.
Shout Which goal is the danger?
Which of the three goals is the dangerous one right now?
Whichever one's closest to the ball.Where should you be standing if a goal's in danger?
In between the ball and that goal.What if they knock the ball too far in front of themselves?
Step in and nick it off them.If it's too hard
One attacker goes on, and as soon as they touch the ball two defenders come out. Rounds are 30 seconds, or until it's scored or goes out. Swap who's attacking and who's defending after a few goes.
If it's too easy
Three attackers against two defenders, minute-long rounds. Everything else is the same.
Tip You'll want to help the attackers because there are fewer of them. Don't - this one's about the defenders working together.
One goal at one end and a short scoring zone at the other. Play 3v3. The team you're coaching defends the goal, and scores by stopping the ball in the zone - either dribbling in or passing to someone in it. The other team scores in the goal.
Shout Go to the ball, win it back
If you're nearest to the ball, what should you do?
Get close and don't let them run straight at your goal.When's the right moment to try and take it?
When they knock it too far ahead of themselves.How do you get to the ball and cover your goal at the same time?
Curve your run, so you end up between them and the goal.If it's too hard
Same idea on a smaller field: three defend the goal against two attackers, and score by stopping the ball in the zone.
If it's too easy
Use the whole space with a goal at each end. Your three defend theirs against four, and score in the other one.
Tip Talk to the team without the ball. All of it.
Put three goals along each end line. Pick two or three defenders; everyone else pairs up and shares a ball.
Shout Heads up, move with your partner
How do you know where the goals and the defenders are?
Look up and check whether your way through is open or blocked.How can two of you get past one defender?
Run at the defender, see if they come to you, then pass round them.Why turn and face your partner before you pass?
Because facing them makes the pass go where you want it to.If it's too hard
No goals at all - pairs score by getting the ball over the end line, either dribbling over it or passing to their partner over it. You and any other grown-ups start as the defenders. After a few rounds, step out, pick two or three kids to defend and go back to the main game.
If it's too easy
Same six goals, played as a proper 3v3 or 3v2 - the bigger team starts with the ball and attacks the three goals at one end, then turns and goes for the other three.
Tip After a few good rounds, let a defender who wins a ball swap in with the pair they got it from.
Split your space across into three bands with a goal at each end. Put one defender in each band, and they have to stay in it. Everyone else pairs up and shares a ball.
Shout Push them wide, win it back
Why is it worth getting close to whoever's got the ball?
It makes them hurry and look down at their feet.When's the right moment to go for it?
When they push it too far ahead of themselves.How do you go at the ball and cover the goal at once?
Curve your run so you're covering the goal on your way there.If it's too hard
Split it in half instead of into three. One defender in each half, plus one extra who's allowed to go anywhere. Same scoring.
If it's too easy
Split it in half, with three defenders who can go wherever they like and have to look after both goals between them.
Tip Let the defenders count how many balls they win and challenge the next lot to beat it. You can hold a band yourself if you're short.
A small field with a goal at each end, tucked near the nearest corner. You stand at the side with all the balls and a team waiting on each side.
Shout Get in the way, win the ball
What should you do if your goal's wide open?
Get back and stand in front of it.What does it actually mean to tackle someone?
Getting close enough to touch the ball, then taking it.How do you nick it off them without fouling?
Come at them from the side, get slightly in front, and reach in with your toe.If it's too hard
They go on before the ball does. You say which team's got two and which has one, then roll it to whoever's on their own. Rounds last a full minute with new balls rolled in as needed.
If it's too easy
Same rolling game, but both sides send two when the ball goes in.
Tip The two will both chase the ball together. Help them work out when one goes and the other hangs back. Set up two of these if you can - twice as much playing.
Split everyone into even teams - threes or fours, whatever keeps them all playing. Change opponents each round if you can, and add up the scores between games.
Shout Play, have fun, see who wins
Tip Change any of these if it'll suit your group better. Nobody's checking.
Mark out a square, every kid with a ball. Run it as ten or twelve one-minute rounds instead of one long game.
Shout Head up, ball close
Tip This is a dribbling game, not a tag game. If it turns into a chase you've lost the point. The same build-it-up approach works on nearly anything - give them the edges and the direction first, then add one rule per round.
A small square with two goals set well apart. One attacker against one defender, and the attacker can score in either goal.
Shout Which one's open?
Which goal is open?
Can you change direction?
When can you really go for it?
Make the space wider than it is long. Each team looks after a row of cones and scores by knocking the ball into or through the other team's row.
Shout Dribble if it's open, pass if they come to you
Tip Watch for whether they dribble when there's space, pass when a defender commits, move away from trouble, and how quickly they react when they lose it.
Give each team two goals to attack instead of one. The extra goal makes spreading out something they work out for themselves, instead of something you shout.
Shout Is the other goal open?
Tip Start with no extra rules. Only add something if it actually gets them doing what you wanted.
Two lines of kids next to you. Roll a ball in and the first two from each line play 2v2. The second the ball goes out or someone scores, the next two are straight on.
Shout Forwards first
Tip Keep the balls with you and never let it stop. The whole point is that they're playing instead of fetching.
Scatter pairs of cones around the space to make little gates. Every kid has a ball.
Shout How many gates in a minute?
Tip Challenge them to use as many different gates as they can, both feet, and to turn between them.
Normal sharks and minnows, except every minnow has a ball and has to get it to the far side.
Shout Head up
Tip Don't leave anyone out for long. A kid who loses their ball becomes a shark, comes straight back on, or does a quick job and rejoins.
Score by dribbling into the zone at the far end with the ball under control. Later on you can let them score by receiving a pass in there instead.
Shout Under control
Two teams waiting along the sides. Call out one, two or three and that many run on from each team, so you get instant 1v1s, 2v2s and 3v3s.
Shout Go!
The short version
If they are, you're doing fine. The rest of this is the stuff it helps to know before your first practice.
Where this came from
The practices are adapted from the Massachusetts Youth Soccer session plans and their guide for new volunteer coaches, which is what U.S. Soccer points beginners toward. The diagrams here are our own. Anything to do with match day - how many players, whether there's a keeper, what happens when the ball goes out - comes from your own league, so check with them.
The season
Play, teach one thing, play again. Open a week to see how long each bit takes, how to set it out, and what to ask them. Every game is drawn out, and links to its own page with the easier and harder versions.
First 20 minutes
Don't wait for everyone. Two kids is a game. Start 1v1 and add each new arrival, so it grows to 2v1, 2v2, 3v3. You're not teaching yet - you're watching, saying hello, and letting them get warm.
Middle 20 minutes
One game that makes them practise the thing you picked. Explain the boundaries and which way they're going, then start. Add rules one at a time as they get it. Lots of short rounds with breaks, not one long one.
Last 20 minutes
Split into teams and play. Show them, tell them in about thirty seconds, then let them go. This is where you find out if the middle bit stuck. Don't referee it and don't shout instructions.
You don't need a full field. A rectangle a bit bigger than a basketball court is plenty, and most sessions split it into two smaller ones.
Play games the way your league plays them - same numbers, same restarts, keeper or no keeper. The practice games below are deliberately smaller than that, because fewer kids per ball means more touches.
What the pictures mean
Just play
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone and into the other half.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go forwards, find your teammate
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 90-second rounds
The idea Get the ball past the bandits and score.
Mark a wide goal out of cones at each end of your space. Put everyone in pairs sharing one ball. One pair are the bandits and don't get a ball.
Shout Heads up, find the gap, go through it
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone, then score.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Turn, spread out, score
Just play
About 18 min
The idea Get past someone and make a chance.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go to goal
Teach one thing
About 20 min, in 2-minute rounds
The idea Beat a defender and get a shot away.
Split your space into two small fields and put a goal in each corner, so there are four per field. Play 2v2 with the other teams waiting on the side. Scatter spare balls around so you can restart instantly.
Shout Which goal is open?
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone, then score.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Help your teammate, switch it
Just play
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone and into the other half.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go to goal, score
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 90-second rounds
The idea Get through the middle and score.
Mark a strip right across the middle of your space - that's the dog pound - with a goal at each end. You and any other grown-ups start in the pound as dog catchers, with no ball. Every pair shares a ball and lines up on an end line.
Shout Get through quick, keep moving
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone, then score.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Spread out, score
Just play
About 18 min
The idea Get past someone and score.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go to goal, score
Teach one thing
About 20 min, in 1-minute rounds
The idea Beat a defender and get into the zone.
Split your space into two small fields and mark a short scoring zone across each end. One team waits behind one zone with the balls, the other behind the opposite one.
Shout Find the gap, trick the defender
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone and score.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Heads up, find the gap, trick them
Just play
About 20 min
The idea Look after your goal, and win the ball if you can.
Talk to the team without the ball, not the one with it. Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Get back, cover the goal
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 1-minute rounds
The idea Stop them scoring in your goals.
Dot several little triangle goals around your space. Pick one fewer defender than there are triangles. Everyone else pairs up and shares a ball.
Shout Get in the way, win the ball
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Look after your goal and win the ball back.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Get back, win it
Just play
About 18 min
The idea Stop them getting a shot away.
Set up two small fields with a gap between them. Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Get back, cover the goal
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 30-second rounds
The idea Stop them getting a shot away.
Mark a small field with a goal at each end - two of them if you've got the numbers. Split the group in half, with each half waiting in the two corners of their own end line. You stand off to the side with all the balls.
Shout Get back, get in the way
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Stop them getting a shot away.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Cover the goal, go to the ball
Just play
About 20 min
The idea Look after your goal, and win the ball if you can.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Get back, cover the goal
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 1-minute rounds
The idea Cover three goals with two players.
Put three small goals along one end line and a single goal at the other. Half the group waits at each end. The team defending the single goal starts with the ball.
Shout Which goal is the danger?
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Look after your goal and win the ball back.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Cover the goal, win it
Just play
About 18 min
The idea Stop them getting a shot away.
Two small fields with a gap between them. Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go to the ball, win it
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 4-minute rounds
The idea Close down whoever's got the ball.
One goal at one end and a short scoring zone at the other. Play 3v3. The team you're coaching defends the goal, and scores by stopping the ball in the zone - either dribbling in or passing to someone in it. The other team scores in the goal.
Shout Go to the ball, win it back
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Stop them getting a shot away.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Go to the ball, win it
Just play
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone and make a chance.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Heads up, find your teammate
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 2-minute rounds
The idea Two of you, working together, beating a defender.
Put three goals along each end line. Pick two or three defenders; everyone else pairs up and shares a ball.
Shout Heads up, move with your partner
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Get past someone, then score.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Heads up, move with your teammate
Just play
About 18 min
The idea Stop them building anything up.
Two small fields with a gap between them. Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Go to the ball, win it
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 1-minute rounds
The idea Defending as a group, in front of your own goal.
Split your space across into three bands with a goal at each end. Put one defender in each band, and they have to stay in it. Everyone else pairs up and shares a ball.
Shout Push them wide, win it back
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Stop them getting a shot away.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Push them wide, win it back
Just play
About 20 min
The idea Look after your goal, and win the ball if you can.
Split your space into two small fields with a goal at each end. As soon as two kids have arrived, start a game. It begins as 1v1 and grows - 2v1, then 2v2, then 3v3 - as more turn up. Once one field is busy, start the second one.
Shout Get back, cover the goal
Teach one thing
About 18 min, in 30-second rounds
The idea One defender holding off two attackers.
A small field with a goal at each end, tucked near the nearest corner. You stand at the side with all the balls and a team waiting on each side.
Shout Get in the way, win the ball
Play again
About 20 min
The idea Look after your goal and win the ball back.
Use the whole space with a goal at each end and split them into even teams. Two halves with a short break in the middle. Play it however your league plays it.
Shout Cover the goal, win it
The whole session
Rounds of 6-8 min with a break between
The idea Finish the season with a mini tournament - same game each time, with a different twist.
Split everyone into even teams - threes or fours, whatever keeps them all playing. Change opponents each round if you can, and add up the scores between games.
Shout Play, have fun, see who wins
Quick check on any game
On the drive home
The Dual Eights dispatch
New analysis from all three desks, delivered occasionally.