Session Pitch

Fast or Patient

Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession.

U9–U1060 minRecommended 8–12 playersVersion 1.0.1

From playful exploration to a small-sided task. A complete practice with water breaks, easy variations and numbered player roles.

Adapt for your team

Customize your session

Dimensions include a 2 m perimeter buffer. Confirm clear space and a usable surface before play.

Open coach timer

ZIP includes coach cards, maps, timeline, rotations and JSON. To save a PDF, choose Save as PDF in your browser print dialog.

Your practice

Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession.

U9–U1060 min8 players24 × 30 mField practice

Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.

Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.

  1. 10–10 minExplore and notice
  2. 210–22 minTraffic cue
  3. 322–25 minWater and reset
  4. 425–40 minRead the lane
  5. 540–55 minPut it into play
  6. 655–60 minSlow down and reflect
1

Explore and notice

10 min

Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: When did a patient pass create a better chance? Stop on a raised hand.

See a route; do not force one.

Play

  • Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: When did a patient pass create a better chance? Stop on a raised hand.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

Each player works in their own clear station with one ball. Stop together on the signal.

7 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 420s activity · 60s briefing · 60s rest · 60s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to explore and notice; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s17-arrival24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 8 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 8 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 4Station 5Station 6Station 7Station 81234567824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 8 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 8 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
2 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
4 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
6 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 8 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

2

Traffic cue

12 min

Traffic cue: a partner calls clear or blocked; carry forward or turn and recycle a pass.

See a route; do not force one.

Play

  • Traffic cue: a partner calls clear or blocked; carry forward or turn and recycle a pass.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

2 separate stations. Roles: carrier, receiver, signal observer; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 4 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 180s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

10 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 600s activity · 60s briefing · 30s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to traffic cue; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s17-skill24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 21357246824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 3: receiver (station 1); 5: signal observer (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 4: receiver (station 2); 6: signal observer (station 2); 8: observer / next carrier (station 2)
2 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 3: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver (station 1); 7: signal observer (station 1); 2: observer / next carrier (station 2); 4: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver (station 2); 8: signal observer (station 2)
3 · 60s1: signal observer (station 1); 3: observer / next carrier (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 2: signal observer (station 2); 4: observer / next carrier (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2)
4 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 3: signal observer (station 1); 5: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 4: signal observer (station 2); 6: observer / next carrier (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 3: receiver (station 1); 5: signal observer (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 4: receiver (station 2); 6: signal observer (station 2); 8: observer / next carrier (station 2)
6 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 3: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver (station 1); 7: signal observer (station 1); 2: observer / next carrier (station 2); 4: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver (station 2); 8: signal observer (station 2)
7 · 60s1: signal observer (station 1); 3: observer / next carrier (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 2: signal observer (station 2); 4: observer / next carrier (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2)
8 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 3: signal observer (station 1); 5: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 4: signal observer (station 2); 6: observer / next carrier (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 3: receiver (station 1); 5: signal observer (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 4: receiver (station 2); 6: signal observer (station 2); 8: observer / next carrier (station 2)
10 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 3: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver (station 1); 7: signal observer (station 1); 2: observer / next carrier (station 2); 4: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver (station 2); 8: signal observer (station 2)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 2 balls · 8 cones · 0 goals

3

Water and reset

3 min

Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.

See a route; do not force one.

Play

  • Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

Timing: 0s activity · 30s briefing · 120s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to water and reset; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s17-break24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
Rest1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

4

Read the lane

15 min

Read the lane: an observer closes one route with a raised hand; choose travel or a safe return pass.

See a route; do not force one.

Play

  • Read the lane: an observer closes one route with a raised hand; choose travel or a safe return pass.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

2 separate stations. Roles: carrier, receiver, signal observer; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 4 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 180s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

12 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to read the lane; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s17-application24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 21357246824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 8 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 3: receiver (station 1); 5: signal observer (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 4: receiver (station 2); 6: signal observer (station 2); 8: observer / next carrier (station 2)
2 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 3: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver (station 1); 7: signal observer (station 1); 2: observer / next carrier (station 2); 4: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver (station 2); 8: signal observer (station 2)
3 · 60s1: signal observer (station 1); 3: observer / next carrier (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 2: signal observer (station 2); 4: observer / next carrier (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2)
4 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 3: signal observer (station 1); 5: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 4: signal observer (station 2); 6: observer / next carrier (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 3: receiver (station 1); 5: signal observer (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 4: receiver (station 2); 6: signal observer (station 2); 8: observer / next carrier (station 2)
6 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 3: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver (station 1); 7: signal observer (station 1); 2: observer / next carrier (station 2); 4: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver (station 2); 8: signal observer (station 2)
7 · 60s1: signal observer (station 1); 3: observer / next carrier (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 2: signal observer (station 2); 4: observer / next carrier (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2)
8 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 3: signal observer (station 1); 5: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 4: signal observer (station 2); 6: observer / next carrier (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 3: receiver (station 1); 5: signal observer (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 4: receiver (station 2); 6: signal observer (station 2); 8: observer / next carrier (station 2)
10 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 3: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver (station 1); 7: signal observer (station 1); 2: observer / next carrier (station 2); 4: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver (station 2); 8: signal observer (station 2)
11 · 60s1: signal observer (station 1); 3: observer / next carrier (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 2: signal observer (station 2); 4: observer / next carrier (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2)
12 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 3: signal observer (station 1); 5: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 4: signal observer (station 2); 6: observer / next carrier (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 2 balls · 8 cones · 0 goals

5

Put it into play

15 min

Score over the end line; recycle whenever both forward routes are blocked. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.

See a route; do not force one.

Play

  • Score over the end line; recycle whenever both forward routes are blocked. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

2 pitches. Teams use numbered A/B slots. Odd groups use a neutral who helps the team with the ball. Rotate slot assignments between rounds; everyone plays and each odd-pitch player takes a neutral turn.

4 rounds × 180 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to put it into play; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s17-games24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Pitch 1Pitch 21A3B5A7B2A4B6A8B24 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 180s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
2 · 180s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
3 · 180s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
4 · 180s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 2 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

6

Slow down and reflect

5 min

Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: When did a patient pass create a better chance? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.

See a route; do not force one.

Play

  • Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: When did a patient pass create a better chance? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

2 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 120s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to slow down and reflect; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s17-close24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Choose whether to carry forward or keep possession. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
2 · 60s1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

After the practice

When did a patient pass create a better chance?

Save field notes

Try next

Find the SpaceTwo Ways to ScoreFour Goal Choices