📋 Session Plan
U7 Development Session
A 45-minute session for U7s with a few months under their belts — building dribbling confidence and the 3v3 game understanding.
A 45-minute session for U7s with a few months under their belts — building dribbling confidence and the 3v3 game understanding.
The high-engagement warm-up. Run 4 rounds of 90 seconds. Use the easier variation if defenders win every round (sharks must dribble too). Make sure every player gets a turn as shark.
Use the easier variation — 3 gates instead of 2, wider area. Attackers need 50%+ success rate. Each player gets ~5 attacking reps. Praise every attempt to dribble past, regardless of outcome.
Apply the dribbling work in a real game format. Use the basic version (single dribble across line scores). Every kid will score eventually — the open end-zone makes it inclusive. Reshuffle teams between games.
5 minutes of unstructured play. If parents are around, invite them onto the pitch for a casual kickaround. The cool-down becomes a social moment. Memorable end to the session.
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).
Affiliate note: we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Coaches tip: Post-session recovery nutrition matters as much as the drills themselves — MaxiNutrition's recovery range is built for exactly this.
Affiliate note: we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Building conditioning between sessions at home? DeerRun UK's home treadmills make it easy to keep up cardio work off the pitch.