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Player arrivals and departures
Use anonymous numbers from 1 to 99. Changes take effect before an activity begins; each activity needs 4–16 players.
Your practice
Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window.
U9–U1060 min8 starting players24 × 30 mField practice
Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Wait for the receiver to become available in the window.
Send a pass the receiver can collect within one step.
Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.
Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. A partner walks into a named window, shows a target foot and receives a soft pass only after making eye contact. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
See the arrival; pass into reach. The pass meets a ready receiver at a comfortable speed.
Run the activity
A partner walks into a named window, shows a target foot and receives a soft pass only after making eye contact.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The pass meets a ready receiver at a comfortable speed.
Play
A partner walks into a named window, shows a target foot and receives a soft pass only after making eye contact.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The pass meets a ready receiver at a comfortable speed.
If you see: The pass is sent before the receiver can face the ball.
Try: Require eye contact in the window before the pass begins.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for pass for the arrival.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show pass gate using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Name a receiving window in the middle of a station edge. The receiver starts a few walking steps to one side.
See the arrival; pass into reach. The pass meets a ready receiver at a comfortable speed.
Run the activity
Receiver walks into the window and shows ready.
Passer watches the arrival before sending a ground pass.
Receiver controls and says whether it arrived early, on time or late.
Play
Receiver walks into the window and shows ready.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The pass meets a ready receiver at a comfortable speed.
If you see: The pass is sent before the receiver can face the ball.
Try: Require eye contact in the window before the pass begins.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the pass meets a ready receiver at a comfortable speed. and walk to water with the balls still.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show pass gate using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: Pass weight changes with the receiver's position.
See the arrival; pass into reach. Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
Run the activity
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Check the surface, clear the next station and keep boundary buffers empty.
Name what to look for next: Pass weight changes with the receiver's position.
Play
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
If you see: Players begin moving balls while others cross the area.
Try: Keep every ball still until the area is clear and all players have heard the start signal.
Easier: Demonstrate only the first action, then begin slowly.
Next step: Invite a player to point out the next receiving or observation position.
Move on: Show the first decision in match two receiving distances before the restart signal.
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: Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Agree a near and far receiving window inside each station. The receiver chooses one while the passer controls the ball.
See the arrival; pass into reach. Pass weight changes with the receiver's position.
Run the activity
Receiver moves toward a window and checks back to the passer.
Passer adjusts direction and weight to that actual arrival.
Receiver takes one touch into the station and returns from the new angle.
Play
Receiver moves toward a window and checks back to the passer.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Pass weight changes with the receiver's position.
If you see: The same force is used for both distances.
Try: Use a short pass first, then compare the extra travel needed for the farther window.
Organisation
4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.
Easier: Keep the window fixed and practise the inward first touch.
Next step: Receiver changes choice before showing ready.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score when a teammate meets a ground pass in the end zone and controls it within one step.
24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show receive turn using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Check the next space: Look away from the ball before it arrives. 2. Receive across the body: Guide the first touch toward the open side. 3. Turn and connect: Look up before the next ground pass.
Score when a teammate meets a ground pass in the end zone and controls it within one step. Use the numbered teams and neutral roles for this pitch. Agree line targets inside the shown area. Restart with a gentle ground pass; opponents retreat at least two metres until the first touch.
See the arrival; pass into reach. Observe whether end-zone passes meet the receiver in reach instead of making them chase.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score when a teammate meets a ground pass in the end zone and controls it within one step.
Play within the marked pitch using the current numbered roles; restart from the nearest boundary after the ball leaves.
At the next pause, give one observed example: Observe whether end-zone passes meet the receiver in reach instead of making them chase.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score when a teammate meets a ground pass in the end zone and controls it within one step.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Observe whether end-zone passes meet the receiver in reach instead of making them chase.
If you see: The same force is used for both distances.
Try: Use a short pass first, then compare the extra travel needed for the farther window.
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.
Easier: Pause at each restart to show the available choice. Keep the window fixed and practise the inward first touch.
Next step: Receiver changes choice before showing ready.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
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: Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show decision game using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. See the options: Look for a carry, pass or safe return. 2. Choose a clear route: Choose the route that is clear now. 3. Keep the next option open: Move to help the next player with the ball.
Round-by-round player roles
Round
Assignments
1 · 180s
1: 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 · 180s
1: 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 · 180s
1: 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 · 180s
1: 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)
Leave the balls still and walk comfortably within your own station. Recall one choice from the session, then ask: Was your partner ready when the ball arrived?
See the arrival; pass into reach. Wait for the receiver to become available in the window. Send a pass the receiver can collect within one step.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: Was your partner ready when the ball arrived?
Share one observed example or say that you need another look; count the players and equipment before finishing.
Play
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Wait for the receiver to become available in the window. Send a pass the receiver can collect within one step.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Observe whether end-zone passes meet the receiver in reach instead of making them chase.
Easier: Allow a pointing gesture or one word instead of a spoken explanation.
Next step: Invite a player to explain what they would change if the same route closed next time.
Move on: Check every player and collect stationary equipment before leaving the area.
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: Time and weight a ground pass for a partner arriving in a receiving window. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
