Session Pitch

Build from a Restart

Offer options for a ground restart.

U11–U1260 minRecommended 10–16 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

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

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Your practice

Offer options for a ground restart.

U11–U1260 min10 players28 × 34 mField practice

Bring 10 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 minRestart triangle
  3. 322–25 minWater and reset
  4. 425–40 minRestart and rotate
  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: What made the first pass easier? Stop on a raised hand.

Show two options before the restart.

Play

  • Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: What made the first pass easier? 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.

s28-arrival28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 10 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 10 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 4Station 5Station 6Station 7Station 8Station 9Station 101234567891028 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 10 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 10 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. 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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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); 9: carrier (station 9); 10: carrier (station 10)
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Equipment: 10 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

2

Restart triangle

12 min

Restart triangle: a server places the ball on the end line; receivers separate into two clear options.

Show two options before the restart.

Play

  • Restart triangle: a server places the ball on the end line; receivers separate into two clear options.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

5 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.

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 restart triangle; ask players to explain the choice.

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

s28-skill28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 5 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 5 balls and 14 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 4Station 51627384951028 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 5 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 5 balls and 14 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

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

Equipment: 5 balls · 14 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.

Show two options before the restart.

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.

s28-break28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567891028 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. 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); 9: rest / reflect (station 1); 10: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

4

Restart and rotate

15 min

Restart and rotate: use a ground restart, then move the server into a supporting position.

Show two options before the restart.

Play

  • Restart and rotate: use a ground restart, then move the server into a supporting position.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

5 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.

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 restart and rotate; ask players to explain the choice.

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

s28-application28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 5 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 5 balls and 14 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 4Station 51627384951028 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 5 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 5 balls and 14 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

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

Equipment: 5 balls · 14 cones · 0 goals

5

Put it into play

15 min

Every restart begins at the end line; opponents retreat two metres until the first touch. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.

Show two options before the restart.

Play

  • Every restart begins at the end line; opponents retreat two metres until the first touch. 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.

5 rounds × 144 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.

s28-games28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 10 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Pitch 1Pitch 21A3B5A7B9N2A4B6A8B10N28 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 10 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 144s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 9: neutral (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2); 10: neutral (station 2)
2 · 144s1: neutral (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 9: team B (station 1); 2: neutral (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2); 10: team B (station 2)
3 · 144s1: team B (station 1); 3: neutral (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 9: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: neutral (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2); 10: team A (station 2)
4 · 144s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: neutral (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 9: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: neutral (station 2); 8: team A (station 2); 10: team B (station 2)
5 · 144s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: neutral (station 1); 9: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: neutral (station 2); 10: 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: What made the first pass easier? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.

Show two options before the restart.

Play

  • Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: What made the first pass easier? 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.

s28-close28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567891028 × 34 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Offer options for a ground restart. 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); 9: rest / reflect (station 1); 10: 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); 9: rest / reflect (station 1); 10: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

After the practice

What made the first pass easier?

Save field notes

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