7-10 Attacking

Intercepting and breaking to score in handball

Suitable for 6+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Learning to intercept
2. Attack vs Defense
3. Communication

Session set up –

Use a rectangular pitch with 2 goals at each end. The size of the pitch depends on the number of players you have. The game is handball, the aim is to score more goals than your opponents. However, players cannot dribble the ball or run with the ball. The only way players can progress the ball up the pitch is through passing. Once a player catches the ball from a pass they cannot move with the ball. Once the player has the ball allow them 5 seconds to pass the ball. As well as this, the other team can only win the ball by an interception and cannot tackle/take the ball away from a player who has caught the ball.
Encourage players to move a lot around the player with the ball thus providing the player with multiple options. Encourage defenders to try predicting the next pass. You can progress the game by forcing 5 passes before the players can score a goal.

3v3 Attack vs Defense

Suitable for 7+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Communication
2. Finishing
3. Defending in numbers

Session set up –

This game is a 3v3 attack vs defense. Use half a pitch with 1 goal and a goalkeeper. Have the 3 defenders start a few metres in front of the goal and have the attackers on the halfway line. Have 1 of the attackers start with a ball and start running and once the attackers start running at the defenders the defenders can move upwards towards the attackers. The attackers are trying to score, and the defenders are trying to take the ball away from the attackers. If the defenders win the ball they must kick it away out of the pitch for the play to stop.
Encourage the attackers to switch up their runs and try being unpredictable to outsmart the defense. Encourage the wide players to keep their width to stretch the defense and move them out of position.

Numbers game

Suitable for 6-12 players

Benefits to football –

1. 1v1 situations
2. Encourages awareness of space

Session set up –

Have 2 teams on a medium size pitch with 2 goals at each end and 4 cones at either corner. Assign a number to each player and match the number on each team (for example, both teams have players numbered 1 – 4). Each team starts behind a goal. The coach will shout a number, or multiple numbers and the players assigned to those numbers will run round the cone and onto the pitch where the coach will have passed a ball into the middle of the pitch. The round finishes when a player scores or the ball goes out of play. If a player scores, they win 1 point for their team. Start by calling out 1 number and doing 1v1s, then move onto calling multiple numbers and doing 2v2s 3v3s etc.

Dribbling and running between cones

Suitable for all number of players

Benefits to football –

1. Dribbling at speed
2. Coordination
3. Communication

Session set up –

Arrange 3 cones in a line, with each cone representing the starting point for one team. Split the players into 3 teams and have them stand behind their designated cone. Place 2 additional cones in front of each team's starting cone, spaced 5 to 8 meters apart from each other.
Round 1: High-Five Relay
To begin, all players run around the first cone and return to high-five the next teammate in line. As soon as they high-five, the next teammate starts running around the first cone. Continue until every player has completed the run and all team members are seated. First team to sit down: 3 points, Second team: 2 points, Third team: 1 point
Round 2: Double Cone Relay
Progress the drill by having the players run around both cones in front of their starting position. The rest of the sequence remains the same: high-five the next
teammate upon return, and the first team to have all players seated wins.
Round 3: Dribbling Relay
Introduce a football for each player. Players must now dribble the ball around both cones before returning to high-five the next teammate. Emphasise the importance of balancing speed with maintaining close control of the ball. Continue until all players have completed the relay and are seated. Scoring: The same point system applies for each round (3 points for the first team to sit down, 2 for the second, and 1 for the third).

Bulldog with footballs

Suitable for 8+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Make decisions on when to dribble or run
2. Develop scanning skills
3. Learn techniques to deceive opponents

Session set up –

Use a full 9 aside pitch, potentially making it wider depending on numbers of players. Pick 2 players to be tacklers. These players start in the middle of the pitch without a football, everyone else is on the line with a football. On “GO” from the coach, every player must attempt to dribble the ball to the other side, if tackled or the ball goes out of play, that player becomes a tackler. Repeat this until 1 player remains or everyone is a tackler.

Bib tag

Suitable for 8+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Creates dribbling techniques
2. Run with the ball

Session set up –

Set up a 30×30 yard area for 10 players (adjust size and player count as needed).
Nine players dribble a ball, while one player holds a bib. Dribbling players manoeuvre the ball within the area, using various touches and skills to protect it. The ‘tagger’ without a ball chases the others and tries to throw their bib at a player’s ball to earn points.
Play in 30-second rounds, rotating the ‘tagger’ each time. The player with the most points wins.

Teamwork session tap ins

Suitable for 8+ players

Benefits to football –

1. Combinations in the final third
2. Work as a team
3. Understanding each other’s movement

Session set up –

Set up a small-sided game with a 4v4 or 5v5 format, including goalkeepers. Mark a pitch suitable for your players' age and ability, with zones at either end just outside the penalty areas using flat spots. The game begins with a kick-off. The goal is to outscore the opponent, but only "tap-ins" count as goals. A tap-in occurs when a player passes sideways or backwards to a teammate in the clear, allowing for an easy, empty-net finish. Goals can only be scored within the marked zones at either end of the pitch. After a tap-in, the game restarts with a kick-off. Play for 5 to 10 minutes, then tally the scores and consider adding progressions.
Variation for Large Squads:
If you have a large group, organise the activity as a “golden goal” tournament. Multiple games start simultaneously, but once a tap-in is scored on any pitch, all matches stop, and the team that scored wins the round.

Dribbling session skills tunnel

Suitable for any amount of players

Benefits to football –

1. Practising stopping and starting
2. Seeing gaps between defenders to dribble through

Session set up –

Set up three identical rectangular channels (twice as long as they are wide) for unopposed, semi-opposed and opposed dribbling practices. For the semi-opposed channel, create a ‘stealing zone’ in the middle and give each player a ‘tail’ (a bib tucked into their shorts).
Unopposed Dribbling (5 minutes):
Players dribble from one end of the channel to the other, then turn and
dribble back to the start. Focus on technique, using different parts of the feet, and correcting mistakes.
Semi-Opposed Dribbling (5 minutes):
A defender in the ‘stealing zone’ tries to grab the dribblers’; tails as they pass through. Dribblers start with 5 lives, losing one if their tail is taken but gaining
one if they reach the end with the ball and tail intact. Dribblers work on acceleration, deceleration, and scanning for space.
Opposed Dribbling (5 minutes):
A defender can move anywhere in the channel, trying to win the ball from the dribblers. If the defender wins the ball and dribbles it back to the start, they swap roles with the dribbler. Dribblers focus on protecting the ball and winning it back if lost.
Game Variation:
Open all channels and let players choose which to dribble through. Implement a scoring system: Unopposed = 1 point, Semi-opposed = 3 points, Opposed = 5 points (or more if needed for motivation). Play for 2 minutes and tally scores.
Progression:
Add another defender in the semi-opposed channel. In the opposed channel, add a halfway line with a defender locked into each half, creating two zones to navigate. This structure helps players develop dribbling skills with increasing levels of challenge and decision-making.