Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Spring U7 Week 4

Arrival Activity

Focus: Dribbling, change of direction, awareness, and small-group play

Setup:

• Create a grid with scattered cones or small obstacles (logs, rocks, vines—use imagination or cones).

• Each player has a ball.

Instructions:

• Players dribble freely through the “jungle” avoiding obstacles.

• Call out fun actions:

  • “Monkey swing!” – two toe taps

  • “Jump over a log!” – hop over their ball

  • “Snake!” – quick turns in a zigzag motion

  • “Freeze!” – stop and balance

Progression: Turn it into a game of Simon Says

Coaching Points: 

• Improves ball control, coordination, and attention to cues.
• Show them how to use different parts of their feet to manipulate the ball. 
• Have the players squeeze these parts on their own feet. The inside, outside and soles. 

Activity 2

Focus: Dribbling, change of direction, awareness, and small-group play

Setup:
Create 3–4 simple stations focusing on different dribbling techniques. 

Stations Example:

• Straight-Line Speed Dribble – Players dribble in a straight line using longer touches, focusing on speed and control.

• Cone Slalom – Set up cones in a line and have players weave in and out using close control and inside/outside of the foot.

• Turning Zone – Players practice different turns (pull back, inside turn, outside turn) around a cone.

• Tight Control Box – Create a small box with cones where players must keep the ball close while moving in all directions.

Instructions:

• Players go through the circuit like an obstacle course.

• Coaches demonstrate the activity at each station and give quick coaching points.

Coaching Points:

• Remind players to keep their heads up while dribbling.

• Praise effort, not perfection.

• Encourage good footwork, balance, and using both feet.

• Use questions to engage them: “Can you do that turn quicker?” “Which foot haven’t you used yet?”

Scrimmage

Focus: Dribbling, change of direction, awareness, and small-group play



3v3 or 4v4 Scrimmage: (15 min)



Setup:

• Use pug goals or cones. Play two short games if group is large.

• No goalies, rotate players to give everyone equal touches.

Instructions:

• Let kids play with minimal stoppage.

• Encourage communication, spacing, and effort.

• Coach on the fly with short, positive feedback.

Coaching tips: 

Keep a bank of ball near so you can have faster restarts once the ball goes out of bounds.