On the Field
Practice Plans
Ready-to-use session templates and the Play–Practice–Play framework so you can walk onto the field confident and prepared.
⚽ Play – Practice – Play (PPP)
P1
Play
Start with a small-sided game. Diagnose skills while they have fun. ~25% of session.
P2
Practice
Focused activities on what you saw in P1. Small groups, high reps, no lines. ~50%.
P3
Play
Return to game. Players apply skills just practiced. Celebrate effort. ~25%.
Golden rule: Every player should be active, with a ball, for the maximum possible proportion of your session.
⚽ 6U & 8U — The Fun Foundation
Key principle: Every session should feel like play. Smiling is the metric.
Session 1 — Dribbling Fun (45 min)
Theme: Getting comfortable with the ball at your feet
• P1 (10 min): Free dribble in a grid — slowly shrink the space
• P2a (8 min): Traffic lights — Red (stop), Yellow (slow), Green (go fast)
• P2b (10 min): Sharks & minnows — 2 coaches are sharks, players dribble to safety
• P3 (15 min): 2v2 or 3v3 with small goals, no goalkeeper
• Wrap-up (2 min): High-fives all around.
• P1 (10 min): Free dribble in a grid — slowly shrink the space
• P2a (8 min): Traffic lights — Red (stop), Yellow (slow), Green (go fast)
• P2b (10 min): Sharks & minnows — 2 coaches are sharks, players dribble to safety
• P3 (15 min): 2v2 or 3v3 with small goals, no goalkeeper
• Wrap-up (2 min): High-fives all around.
Session 2 — Kicking & Striking (45 min)
Theme: Striking the ball with intent and accuracy
• P1 (10 min): Free shooting on cones — kick and chase, no lines
• P2a (8 min): Kick the cone — dribble and knock over a cone with a shot
• P2b (10 min): Score the goal — pairs take turns passing and shooting
• P3 (15 min): 3v3 with small goals. Celebrate every goal.
• P1 (10 min): Free shooting on cones — kick and chase, no lines
• P2a (8 min): Kick the cone — dribble and knock over a cone with a shot
• P2b (10 min): Score the goal — pairs take turns passing and shooting
• P3 (15 min): 3v3 with small goals. Celebrate every goal.
Session 3 — Teamwork & Passing (45 min)
Theme: The joy of working together
• P1 (10 min): 2v2 — emphasise “find your teammate”
• P2a (8 min): Pass & follow — Player A passes to B then runs to B's spot
• P2b (10 min): Keep away — 3 players keep ball from 1 defender
• P3 (15 min): 4v4 — coach encourages “look up, find a friend”
• P1 (10 min): 2v2 — emphasise “find your teammate”
• P2a (8 min): Pass & follow — Player A passes to B then runs to B's spot
• P2b (10 min): Keep away — 3 players keep ball from 1 defender
• P3 (15 min): 4v4 — coach encourages “look up, find a friend”
⚽ 10U — Building the Game
Key principle: Introduce simple tactics always through games, never through lectures.
Session 1 — Turning & Changing Direction (60 min)
Theme: Escaping pressure with quick turns
• P1 (12 min): 4v4 — notice who turns away from pressure naturally
• P2a (10 min): Colour turns — dribble freely, coach calls a colour cone
• P2b (12 min): 1v1 turn and escape — defender pressures, attacker must turn and reach safety cone
• P2c (10 min): Rondo 4v2
• P3 (14 min): 5v5
• P1 (12 min): 4v4 — notice who turns away from pressure naturally
• P2a (10 min): Colour turns — dribble freely, coach calls a colour cone
• P2b (12 min): 1v1 turn and escape — defender pressures, attacker must turn and reach safety cone
• P2c (10 min): Rondo 4v2
• P3 (14 min): 5v5
Session 2 — Receiving & First Touch (60 min)
Theme: Controlling the ball to create time and space
• P1 (12 min): 4v4 — watch for heavy first touches
• P2a (10 min): Wall pass pairs — 1 touch to control, 1 touch to pass
• P2b (12 min): Diamond passing
• P3 (14 min): 5v5 — bonus point for a goal after a clean first touch
• P1 (12 min): 4v4 — watch for heavy first touches
• P2a (10 min): Wall pass pairs — 1 touch to control, 1 touch to pass
• P2b (12 min): Diamond passing
• P3 (14 min): 5v5 — bonus point for a goal after a clean first touch
⚽ 12U & Above — Developing the Full Player
Key principle: Introduce team shape through game situations. Use short freeze moments, then return to play immediately.
Session 1 — Pressing & Defensive Shape (75 min)
Theme: When and how to press as a unit
• P1 (15 min): 7v7 — observe defensive organisation
• P2a (15 min): 2v1 + 1 pressing
• P2b (20 min): Transition game — win ball, play to target player within 5 seconds
• P3 (20 min): 7v7 with coach freeze moments
• Debrief (5 min): “What was the trigger for your press?”
• P1 (15 min): 7v7 — observe defensive organisation
• P2a (15 min): 2v1 + 1 pressing
• P2b (20 min): Transition game — win ball, play to target player within 5 seconds
• P3 (20 min): 7v7 with coach freeze moments
• Debrief (5 min): “What was the trigger for your press?”
Session 2 — Combination Play & Third Man Runs (75 min)
Theme: Breaking lines with combination play
• P1 (15 min): 7v7
• P2a (15 min): 3-player combinations — wall pass, overlap, third man run
• P2b (20 min): 4v3 to goal — attackers must use a combination before shooting
• P3 (20 min): 7v7 — bonus goal for a third-man run resulting in a shot
• P1 (15 min): 7v7
• P2a (15 min): 3-player combinations — wall pass, overlap, third man run
• P2b (20 min): 4v3 to goal — attackers must use a combination before shooting
• P3 (20 min): 7v7 — bonus goal for a third-man run resulting in a shot
Full session plans for every age group and theme are available in the Coach Manuals on the Resources page. Download the manual for your age group and you will find everything you need.
📅 Season Training Plan
The schedule below represents a potential plan for the season’s training sessions. It is very likely to change when you see what your team does well and where they need work. Always follow the Play — Practice — Play coaching cycle.
| Division | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6U | Ball Familiarity | Big Touches vs Little Touches | Dribbling Games | Some Fun Games | Dribbling | Deception | Turning | Races & Games with Touches | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 8U | Dribbling | Passing & Receiving | Dribbling & Turning | Defending 1v1 (#1) | Turning & Shielding | Finishing | Defending 1v1 (#2) | Group Attacking | Defending 1v1 (#3) | Blocking Shots | Quick Finishing | Attacking |
| 10U | Possession | Attacking 1v1 | Transition to Attack | Group Defending (#1) | Defending 1v1 (#1) | Transition | Deep Balls | Create & Finish | Quick Transition | Group Defending (#2) | Defending 1v1 (#2) | Attacking at Speed |
| 12U | Passing & Receiving | Dribbling & Turning | Winning the Ball | Group Defending (#1) | Defending 1v1 (#1) | Attacking 1v1 | Deep Balls | Attacking Width | Dribbling | Group Defending (#2) | Defending 1v1 (#2) | Attacking at Speed |
| 14U | Possession | Deep Balls | Transition to Defence (#1) | Defending 1v1 (#1) | Shot Blocking | Transition to Attack | Attacking 1v1 | Crossing & Finishing | Transition to Defence (#2) | Defending 1v1 (#2) | Group Defending | Passing & Receiving |
📂 Download Session Plans
Ready-to-use session plans for each age group, prepared by AYSO Region 206. Click your division to browse and download.
6
6U Session Plans
Age-appropriate activities focused on fun, movement, and ball familiarity.
↗ Browse 6U plans8
10
10U Session Plans
Introducing tactical awareness and the build-out line through game situations.
↗ Browse 10U plans12
12U Session Plans
Developing combination play, shape, and positional understanding.
↗ Browse 12U plans14