At a glance
- Age
- U9–U10
- Session length
- 70–90 min
- Game formats
- 2v2 to 5v5
Indicative split of focus
- Technique35%
- Individual tactics20%
- Team tactics10%
- Physical and motor20%
- Cognitive and psychosocial15%
These are methodological focuses, not rigid minutes: a single task can work on several areas at once.
Technical progression
Directional control, passing, dribbling at speed, feints and varied finishing. Perception before receiving.
Tactical and cognitive progression
2v1, 2v2, 3v2, early width and depth, support and transition.
Physical progression
Speed, advanced coordination, changes of direction and natural strength.
The season in macrocycles
Blocks set priorities, not exclusive content: each one keeps secondary content from the others.
- Functional technique6–8 weeks
Directional control, passing, dribbling at speed and finishing.
- Cooperation6–8 weeks
Support, movement off the ball, 2v1 and 3v2, early width.
- Duels and transitions6–8 weeks
1v1, 2v2, losing and winning the ball, finishing.
- First team play8–10 weeks
Occupying space, progression, small-sided games and consolidation.
A typical week with 2 sessions
Session 1: developing the objective and numerical superiority. Session 2: opposition, transition and real match play.
Structure of a session
A session has one main objective and always ends with transfer to match play. Indicative percentages of its total length.
- Activation and warm-up15–25%
- Main part A: introduce or reinforce the objective20–30%
- Main part B: more opposition, decision-making or specificity20–30%
- Transfer to match play25–40%
- Cool-down and feedback0–10%
Assessment
Formative rubric covering execution, decision-making and off-the-ball behaviour. The match result does not replace formative assessment.
Periodisation
Three to four macrocycles with formative progression.
Sample exercises for this stage
- RondosTwo connected triangles
- Positional Play3v1 possession with a passive defender
- DribblingDribbling and change of direction
- Recreational GamesTreasure raid by teams
- 1x1Go through the gate with a shadow defender
- Finishing / ShootingGround shot at the central strip
- Ball Out3v2: getting past the first press
- Defensive Transition5v5 + goalkeeper: reaction to losing the ball
- GoalkeepersGoalkeeper integrated in a 5v5/6v6 game
This methodology, applied to your team's season
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