Session Pitch

Play Beyond Pressure

Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player.

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.

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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

Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player.

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 minSplit the shadow
  3. 322–25 minWater and reset
  4. 425–40 minBounce escape
  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: Which supporting movement helped beat the pressure? Stop on a raised hand.

Move the angle before forcing the pass.

Play

  • Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: Which supporting movement helped beat the pressure? 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.

s22-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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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

Split the shadow

12 min

Split the shadow: pairs pass diagonally beyond a walking shadow and reposition.

Move the angle before forcing the pass.

Play

  • Split the shadow: pairs pass diagonally beyond a walking shadow and reposition.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

3 separate stations. Roles: carrier, receiver, walking shadow / interceptor; 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 split the shadow; ask players to explain the choice.

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

s22-skill28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 3 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 31471025836928 × 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. 3 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver (station 1); 7: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 10: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
2 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 10: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
3 · 60s1: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 4: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 10: receiver (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
4 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 4: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 10: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver (station 1); 7: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 10: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
6 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 10: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
7 · 60s1: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 4: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 10: receiver (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
8 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 4: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 10: carrier (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver (station 1); 7: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 10: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
10 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 10: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
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Equipment: 3 balls · 10 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.

Move the angle before forcing the pass.

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.

s22-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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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)
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Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

4

Bounce escape

15 min

Bounce escape: use a return pass to change the angle and pass beyond pressure.

Move the angle before forcing the pass.

Play

  • Bounce escape: use a return pass to change the angle and pass beyond pressure.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

3 separate stations. Roles: carrier, receiver, walking shadow / interceptor; 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 bounce escape; ask players to explain the choice.

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

s22-application28 × 34 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 3 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 31471025836928 × 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. 3 numbered stations, 10 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver (station 1); 7: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 10: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
2 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 10: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
3 · 60s1: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 4: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 10: receiver (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
4 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 4: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 10: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver (station 1); 7: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 10: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
6 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 10: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
7 · 60s1: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 4: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 10: receiver (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
8 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 4: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 10: carrier (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver (station 1); 7: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 10: observer / next carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
10 · 60s1: observer / next carrier (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 7: receiver (station 1); 10: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver (station 2); 8: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver (station 3); 9: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3)
11 · 60s1: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 4: observer / next carrier (station 1); 7: carrier (station 1); 10: receiver (station 1); 2: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 8: receiver (station 2); 3: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3); 9: receiver (station 3)
12 · 60s1: receiver (station 1); 4: walking shadow / interceptor (station 1); 7: observer / next carrier (station 1); 10: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver (station 2); 5: walking shadow / interceptor (station 2); 8: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver (station 3); 6: walking shadow / interceptor (station 3); 9: carrier (station 3)
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Equipment: 3 balls · 10 cones · 0 goals

5

Put it into play

15 min

Score by receiving behind the nearest defender in an end zone. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.

Move the angle before forcing the pass.

Play

  • Score by receiving behind the nearest defender in an end zone. 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.

s22-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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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)
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Equipment: 2 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

6

Slow down and reflect

5 min

Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: Which supporting movement helped beat the pressure? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.

Move the angle before forcing the pass.

Play

  • Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: Which supporting movement helped beat the pressure? 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.

s22-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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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: Find a pass that moves beyond a blocking player. 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)
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Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

After the practice

Which supporting movement helped beat the pressure?

Save field notes

Try next

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