PLAYLIST

Sessions

NEXT England DNA 5-11: multisport warm-up activity

Players aged 5-8

A group of boys in the Foundation Phase take part in a small-sided game on the outdoor 3G pitch at St. George’s Park.
Challenges in small-sided games
A girl runs forward with the ball during a coaching session which contains multiple cones marking out ‘gates’.
Mastering the ball: through the gates
A player runs with the ball and stretches her arm out to try to shield it from her opponent during a game at a football festival at St. George’s Park.
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Mastering the ball: keeping possession

Players aged 9-12

Pete Sturgess, FA Foundation Phase lead, guides a group of young players through his 'multisport warm-up' session.
England DNA 5-11: multisport warm-up activity
Players take part in the hand to hand session
England DNA 5-11: hand to hand
A group of Foundation Phase players take part in a 'balloon mayhem' session.
England DNA 5-11: balloon mayhem
Session 5 - 11

Mastering the ball: keeping possession

    Encourage your players to stay on the ball and keep possession by playing this small-sided game with added challenges.

    Organisation

    This game can be used with a variety of numbers from 1v1 right through to 6v6 and all variations in between (including under/overloading). Create more space and make the players think by facing the goals backwards.

    A session graphic showing a 3v3 game with mini goals.

    How to play

    Each team is trying to play a possession-based game and score. If the ball goes out then players can dribble in or pass to a teammate. Encourage players to experiment and try different ways to be creative.

    Challenges

    Progress the game by asking your players to:

    • try to stay on the ball until they can pass forward
    • try to have as many touches as they can whilst keeping the ball for their team.

    Plus add any individual challenges you have for each player.


    To learn more about Foundation Phase DNA, click here.

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