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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
Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route.
U11–U1260 min8 starting players28 × 34 mField practice
Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Stay between the ball and the direct target route.
Move in balance without reaching at the carrier's feet.
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. Stand between a still ball and a target line, turn slightly side-on and point to the less direct side route. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Stay balanced; protect the direct route. The defender sees ball and target while keeping a safe distance.
Run the activity
Stand between a still ball and a target line, turn slightly side-on and point to the less direct side route.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: The defender sees ball and target while keeping a safe distance.
Play
Stand between a still ball and a target line, turn slightly side-on and point to the less direct side route.
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 defender sees ball and target while keeping a safe distance.
If you see: The defender runs at the ball and is passed by one sideways touch.
Try: Return to walking and rehearse the side-on position with a still carrier.
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: Carrier remains still while the defender finds the protecting position.
Next step: Carrier chooses a slow left or right approach.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for protect the direct route.
28 × 34 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: Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Delay and cover: Name the covering space before moving on. 3. Move together: Keep the route protected as the ball moves.
A carrier walks toward an end-line target while a defender starts goal-side with at least a metre of clear separation.
Stay balanced; protect the direct route. The defender sees ball and target while keeping a safe distance.
Run the activity
Defender checks the target before moving.
Walk sideways or backward in balance to protect the direct line.
Stop if the gap closes; reset rather than reach for the ball.
Play
Defender checks the target before moving.
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 defender sees ball and target while keeping a safe distance.
If you see: The defender runs at the ball and is passed by one sideways touch.
Try: Return to walking and rehearse the side-on position with a still carrier.
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: Carrier remains still while the defender finds the protecting position.
Next step: Carrier chooses a slow left or right approach.
Move on: Stop in place, recall the defender sees ball and target while keeping a safe distance. and walk to water with the balls still.
28 × 34 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: Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Delay and cover: Name the covering space before moving on. 3. Move together: Keep the route protected as the ball moves.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: A wider or backward attacking choice follows the defender's position.
Stay balanced; protect the direct route. 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: A wider or backward attacking choice follows the defender'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 show the wider choice before the restart signal.
28 × 34 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: Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
Name a direct target segment and a wider side route. The carrier may carry slowly or return to a partner.
Stay balanced; protect the direct route. A wider or backward attacking choice follows the defender's position.
Run the activity
Defender protects the direct segment and leaves the wider route visible.
Carrier chooses the available route or a return pass.
Defender adjusts to remain goal-side without chasing into the carrier's feet.
Play
Defender protects the direct segment and leaves the wider route visible.
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
A wider or backward attacking choice follows the defender's position.
If you see: The defender tries to close every route and overcommits.
Try: Name the single direct route to protect and allow the side choice.
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: Use a stationary carrier pointing to the intended route.
Next step: Change which target segment is direct before an attempt.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Defenders score by making the carrier recycle or by intercepting a loose ground pass; no tackles at a player's feet.
28 × 34 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: Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Delay and cover: Name the covering space before moving on. 3. Move together: Keep the route protected as the ball moves.
Defenders score by making the carrier recycle or by intercepting a loose ground pass; no tackles at a player's feet. 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.
Stay balanced; protect the direct route. Notice a defender who keeps the direct target protected and makes the carrier choose a wider route or recycle.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Defenders score by making the carrier recycle or by intercepting a loose ground pass; no tackles at a player's feet.
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: Notice a defender who keeps the direct target protected and makes the carrier choose a wider route or recycle.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Defenders score by making the carrier recycle or by intercepting a loose ground pass; no tackles at a player's feet.
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
Notice a defender who keeps the direct target protected and makes the carrier choose a wider route or recycle.
If you see: The defender tries to close every route and overcommits.
Try: Name the single direct route to protect and allow the side choice.
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. Use a stationary carrier pointing to the intended route.
Next step: Change which target segment is direct before an attempt.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
28 × 34 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: Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations. Three steps show delay cover 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. Protect the route: Nearest defender protects space; no contact. 2. Change the ball side: Second defender covers behind when available. 3. Hand over nearest and cover: The old nearest defender drops; the partner now delays.
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: Which space did your position protect?
Stay balanced; protect the direct route. Stay between the ball and the direct target route. Move in balance without reaching at the carrier's feet.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: Which space did your position protect?
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
Stay between the ball and the direct target route. Move in balance without reaching at the carrier's feet.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Notice a defender who keeps the direct target protected and makes the carrier choose a wider route or recycle.
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.
28 × 34 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: Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.
