U12 — 9v9 Introduction Session
A 60-minute session for U12 squads starting the 9v9 format.
▦Session blocks
Arrival Rondo — 4v1
Players arrive and get straight into a 4v1 rondo. No waiting. Once 6 are there, split to two 4v1s. Add players to the outside ring as they arrive.
Positional Rondo — 3 Zones
3 red players per zone, 1 blue defender per zone. Keep possession, switch between zones. Emphasise the cross-zone pass and the half-turn receive.
Third-Man Combination — 3v2
Trios vs two defenders. Rotate through all three roles (A, B, C) every 3 reps. Each trio gets 8 attempts before swapping the defending pair.
Press and Cover Shape
Half-pitch. Attackers build from the back; defending team holds press-and-cover shape. Score 1 point per 5-pass sequence when defending. Defenders earn 3 points for winning and keeping possession.
9v9 Full Game — Bonus Scoring
Full 9v9 on a half pitch. Bonus point for a goal from a third-man combination; bonus point for the defending team completing press-and-cover without conceding. Coach stays on the touchline. End with a 3-minute debrief: 'what worked?'
◆What you'll need from yourself
Clear demonstrations and high energy. Keep the session moving with minimal queuing, and reinforce one or two key coaching points rather than overloading players with information.
!Common problems
Players standing in queues (set up enough stations to keep everyone active) and the session running too long on one activity (keep blocks tight and move on while engagement is high).