Coaches Corner

What to work on

• Running, jumping, dodging, balancing and changing direction
• Getting used to the ball: holding it, bouncing it, catching it close to the chest
• Simple hand passing and kicking off the hand
• Small games where everyone gets lots of touches

A sample session

1. 10 min

   Warm-up game

   A chasing or movement game. Every girl has a ball if possible.

2. 20 min

   Skill stations

   Two or three short stations of about 6 minutes each, small groups, then rotate.

3. 20 min

   Small games

   Lots of mini games with 3 or 4 players a side, so everyone is involved.

4. 5 min

   Cool down

   A gentle stretch, a well done to everyone, and a reminder of the next session.

Traffic Lights

Movement and listening

You need: A square of cones, a ball each if possible

1. Players move freely around inside the square.
2. Green means jog, amber means walk, red means freeze.
3. Add new calls as they get the hang of it: "bounce" (bounce the ball), "high" (throw up and catch), "low" (touch the ball to the ground).
4. Make it harder by calling faster or mixing up the order.

Tails

Dodging and changing direction

You need: A bib for each player, a square of cones

1. Every player tucks a bib into the back of her shorts like a tail.
2. On "go", everyone tries to collect other tails while protecting their own.
3. If you lose your tail, keep playing: you can still collect others.
4. Count tails at the end. Play again with a smaller square to make it harder.

Ball Mastery Challenge

Handling and confidence with the ball

You need: A ball each

1. Each player has a ball and her own space.
2. The coach calls out challenges: pass it round your waist, bounce and catch, throw up and clap before you catch.
3. Ask "how many can you do in 20 seconds?" so each girl tries to beat her own score.
4. Praise effort, not just who does the most.

Hand Pass Gates

Hand passing

You need: Pairs of cones set up as small "gates" around the area, a ball between two

1. Players work in pairs with one ball.
2. They move around the area and hand pass to each other through as many gates as they can.
3. One point for every pass through a gate that is caught.
4. Make it harder by making the gates narrower, or by using the weaker hand.

Knock the Cone

Kicking accuracy

You need: Tall cones or skittles, a ball each

1. Set a row of cones in the middle and a line of players either side, a few metres back.
2. Players kick off the hand or roll the ball to knock the cones over.
3. Every cone knocked is a point for the team.
4. Move the players further back as they improve.

What to work on

• Solo and bounce while moving
• Hand passing and kicking on both sides
• Catching high and low, and picking the ball up cleanly
• Basic tackling: staying on your feet and blocking the ball, not the player
• Moving into space to support a team-mate

A sample session

1. 10 min

   Warm-up

   Movement and ball work together, building up speed.

2. 20 min

   Skill practice

   One or two skills, worked on in small groups with progressions.

3. 15 min

   Conditioned game

   A small game with a rule that makes players use the skill of the day.

4. 15 min

   Full game

   A normal game with small teams. Let them play.

5. 5 min

   Cool down

   Stretch and a quick chat: what did we learn today?

Solo Relay

Solo and bounce at speed

You need: Cones, a ball per team

1. Teams of 3 or 4 line up behind a cone, with another cone about 20 metres away.
2. The first player solos and bounces out around the far cone and back, then hands over.
3. Add rules: solo only with the weaker foot on the way back, or bounce at every cone.
4. Keep teams small so nobody waits long.

Triangle Passing

Hand passing and moving after the pass

You need: Three cones in a triangle about 8 metres apart, one ball

1. Put one or two players at each cone.
2. Hand pass to the next cone, then follow your pass and join the back of that cone.
3. After two minutes change direction so both hands get used.
4. Progress to a kick pass, or add a second ball for more speed.

High Catch Pairs

Catching above the head

You need: A ball between two

1. Partners stand about 10 metres apart.
2. One kicks or throws the ball high and the other catches it with hands above the head, making a "W" shape with the thumbs and fingers behind the ball.
3. Bring the ball down and in to the chest straight away.
4. Progress by adding a jump, or a second player who challenges for the ball.

Keep Ball 4 v 2

Keeping possession and moving into space

You need: A square of cones about 15 by 15 metres, bibs, one ball

1. Four attackers try to keep the ball from two defenders, using hand passes only.
2. Count the passes. Five in a row scores a point.
3. If the defenders win the ball, swap two players in.
4. Make it harder by making the square smaller or going 4 v 3.

Block and Tackle Channel

Safe tackling

You need: Cones marking a narrow channel about 5 metres wide, one ball per pair

1. An attacker tries to solo past a defender to the end of the channel.
2. The defender stays on her feet, keeps her eyes on the ball, and tries to block or knock the ball away without making contact with the player.
3. Swap roles after each go.
4. Watch closely and stop straight away if tackles become rough.

Three-Pass Game

Team play and support

You need: A small pitch with goals or targets, bibs, one ball

1. A small game, around 5 a side.
2. A team must make three passes before it is allowed to shoot.
3. A score after a pass from both a hand pass and a kick counts double.
4. Change the rule to suit the skill you worked on earlier.

What to work on

• Skills at match speed and under pressure
• Making good decisions: when to pass, when to carry, when to shoot
• Kick-outs, restarts and team shape
• Strength, speed and injury prevention
• Communication and leadership on the pitch

A sample session

1. 15 min

   Warm-up

   A proper warm-up with running, stretching on the move, and ball work.

2. 20 min

   Skill under pressure

   Drills with defenders, so players practise skills the way they are used in a match.

3. 20 min

   Match situation

   Practise one part of the game, for example kick-outs, or attacking with an extra player.

4. 20 min

   Game

   A full or near-full game, with the coach stopping play now and then to make a point.

5. 10 min

   Cool down

   Easy jog, stretching, and a short team talk.

Three Attack Two

Using the extra player to score

You need: Half a pitch, a goal, bibs, balls

1. Three attackers start at halfway against two defenders and a goalkeeper.
2. The attackers must work the ball to a shot within 15 seconds.
3. Reward the pass that creates a free player, not just the score.
4. Progress to 4 v 3, or let a defender recover from behind.

Kick-Out Battle

Winning and keeping our own kick-outs

You need: Full or half pitch, bibs, balls, a goalkeeper

1. The goalkeeper takes kick-outs to a group of outfield players, against an equal number of opponents.
2. Players work on making space with timed runs and clear calls.
3. A point for a clean catch, two for a catch that leads to a score.
4. Then swap so the other team practises pressing kick-outs.

Pressure Shooting

Shooting accurately when tired or under pressure

You need: A goal, cones, balls, one defender

1. A player receives a pass, takes a solo, and shoots from about 25 metres.
2. A defender starts a few metres behind and chases.
3. Practise shooting off both feet, and from both sides of the goal.
4. Keep a score so it feels like a match.

Turnover Game

Reacting quickly when the ball changes hands

You need: A medium pitch with goals, bibs, one ball

1. A normal game of around 8 a side.
2. A score straight after winning the ball back counts double.
3. This teaches teams to attack fast after a turnover, and to get back fast when they lose the ball.
4. Stop play now and then to ask: "where should you be now?"

Injury Prevention Warm-up

Strength and balance to reduce injuries

You need: Cones, a flat area

1. Do this at the start of every session, for about 15 minutes.
2. Jogging with side steps, skips and changes of direction.
3. Strength work: squats, lunges, planks and slow controlled hops.
4. Landing practice: jump and land softly with knees in line with toes. Coaches should watch this closely, as good landing technique helps protect the knees.