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TITLE: #57 Dribbling, Shooting and Teamwork

PLAYERS: 8–14 players

DURATION: 60 minutes

TAGS: U8, U10, U12, 7-a-side, 5-a-side, Beginner, Developing, Dribbling, Shooting, Small-Sided Games

DESCRIPTION: A three-part session for ages 8–12 targeting dribbling and shooting in game-realistic situations. Warm-up is a free-play 2v2 with two goals. Skill development is 1v1 dribbling through cones leading to a shot. The game is a 6v6 on four goals without goalkeepers, encouraging creativity and spatial awareness.

OBJECTIVES:
- Develop 1v1 dribbling skills and the ability to beat a player
- Improve shooting accuracy following a dribble sequence
- Teach players to find and exploit space in a multi-goal game

EQUIPMENT: balls, cones (slalom course), mini-goals (4), bibs

WARM UP: 2v2, 2 goals, no goalkeepers: Mini-pitches for 2v2. Four players per pitch (two play, two rest, then rotate). Each game starts with one team passing to opponents. Normal rules; players referee their own games. Easier: start with 2v1. Harder: use smaller goals; limit touches.

MAIN ACTIVITY: Skill dev — 1v1 dribbling and shooting: Groups of up to 6. Set up a dribbling/cone course leading to a goal. Players race: first to score wins the round. Easier: no goalkeepers; fewer cones. Harder: more cones; touching a cone means restart; challenge with weaker foot.

Game application — 6v6, 4 goals, no goalkeepers: Pitch with two teams; four mini-goals (one at each corner). Initially, each team can only score at one end; then open it so either team can score in any goal. Add a second ball to increase intensity. Easier: one team has more players. Harder: limit touches; must score in all four goals consecutively to win a point.

COACHING POINTS:
- Can you dribble 1v1 when you have the chance?
- Support your partner by finding a good position when they have the ball
- Defend as a pair — press together
- Look up when dribbling to recognise where space is to score
- Can you be clever and find space near an empty goal?
- How can you defend as a team when you lose the ball?

PROGRESSIONS:
- 1v1 easier: no goalkeeper; fewer cones
- 1v1 harder: more cones; touch a cone = restart; weaker foot only
- Game harder: limit touches; require goals in consecutive different goals