Final Third Foundation • Coaches

U6–U12 Session Plans

The following plans are designed by our expert team to help F3 coaches be the best they can be. Use them as guides alongside your current drills, or follow them exactly. Questions? Reach out to Coach Seamus Reilly.

Session Plans Session Structure General Practice Drills Sideline Coaching Warm-Up Before Matches

Session Plans (PDF)

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Tip for Coaches: Rotate through Session Plans I–VII during the season to keep practices fresh while reinforcing the same core skills. Consistency and repetition help young players build confidence on the ball.
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Session Plan I

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Session Plan II

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Session Plan III

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Session Plan IV

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Session Plan V

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Session Plan VI

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Session Plan VII

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Questions?

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Coaching support

F3 Training Session Structure

Most sessions should follow a similar flow. This helps players build rhythm, stay engaged, and maximize touches on the ball.

Arrival 5 min
Free play with a ball
Ball Mastery 10 min
Touches, moves, dribbling
Skill Activity 15 min
1v1, 2v1, technique
Small-Sided Game 15 min
3v3 or 4v4
Scrimmage 10 min
Let them play
Reminder: The best teacher is the game itself. Keep coaching interruptions minimal and let players learn through play.

General Practice Drills to Accompany Session Plans

Touches on the Ball (U6–U10)

Primary focus should be comfort on the ball—dribbling and small-number advantages (1v1, 2v1, 3v2).

  • Touch with all parts of the foot (inside, outside, sole)
  • Moves: fake left/go right, pull-back, turns, etc.
  • Find open space; dribble away from pressure
  • Look up and down while dribbling (scan the field)

Technique of Passing

If players are ready, introduce passing technique (inside of foot, ankle locked, step to target).

  • Inside of foot pass
  • Ankle locked
  • Step to where you want to play the ball
  • Minimal leg swing; body slightly over the ball to keep it down
  • Celebrate good timing: “Great pass!”
Reminder: At this age, there is no such thing as a “ball hog.” Lots of dribblers means you’re doing it right.

Coaching on the Sideline

Please refrain from telling players to dribble, pass, or shoot while the ball is live. It doesn’t help development— they need to learn decision-making in real time.

Better approach: Teach during stoppages or when players are off the field. That’s when you can explain when to dribble, pass, or shoot.

Warm-Up Before Matches (15–30 minutes)

Ask players to arrive with a ball. This is often when they’re most focused—jerseys on and ready to play.

  • Toe touches
  • “Milkshakes” (inside-inside taps)
  • Inside-outside touches (both feet)
  • Red Light / Green Light
  • Moves: pull-backs, fake left/go right, fake right/go left