📋 Session Plan
U14 Build-Up Foundations
90-minute session installing the patterns that let your team play out from the back under pressure. Goalkeeper distribution, midfielder turning, switch-of-
90-minute session installing the patterns that let your team play out from the back under pressure. Goalkeeper distribution, midfielder turning, switch-of-
Standard warm-up at higher technical demand: 1-touch passing only after minute 6. Add a switch element — shout 'SWITCH!' and pairs find a new partner mid-pass without breaking rhythm. Develops scanning before the ball arrives — the foundation of build-up.
Run rounds 1-3 only (drag-back, open-hip, fake-turn). Skip the free-choice round here — that's later in the session. Every player rotates through the midfielder role at least twice. By the end, every outfield player has felt the three turns; that matters because in a build-up moment ANY player might be the receiving midfielder.
The named drill of the session. Run rounds 1-3 (press one side → press improvised → add midfielder). Critical: don't skip round 1's pre-arranged press — players need success first. By round 3, the build-up should be flowing 50-60% of the time. If less, repeat round 2 next session before progressing.
Modify the U13 Attacking Combinations SSG idea: 7v7 where any goal scored from a build-up sequence (4+ consecutive passes starting from the keeper) counts double. Forces the patterns we drilled into match application. End with 4 minutes of free play — see if the habit transfers.
Pull squad in. 'When did the build-up work? When did it fail? What did the keeper see when it worked?'. Get THEM to articulate. Players who can describe the patterns USE the patterns. 5 minutes of reflection plus 2 minutes of static stretches (calves, hamstrings, hip flexors).
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.
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).
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Coaches tip: Post-session recovery nutrition matters as much as the drills themselves — MaxiNutrition's recovery range is built for exactly this.
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Building conditioning between sessions at home? DeerRun UK's home treadmills make it easy to keep up cardio work off the pitch.