U14 Build-Up Foundations

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).