7v7: 2nd - 4th
U8 - U11 · Foundation
The best age for building technical skills. 1v1 moves, passing accuracy, first touch, and the introduction of team shape.
How each week works: 3 layers
Practice 1 (Technical): We script this. Rotating focus: Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, Defense.
Practice 2 (Tactical): We script this. Core tactical concepts progressing weekly for your age group.
Warrior Way Principle: Not a separate activity. A coaching lens you apply across both practices that week.
Weeks 1-7 are fully scripted. Weeks 8-10 are coach's choice.
10-Week Season Overview
Practice 1: Dribbling
Inside-outside dribble and changes of direction
“Inside to control, outside to go.”
Practice 2: Support the ball
Be where your teammate can pass to you
“Can your teammate see you AND pass to you?”
Videos
Inside-Outside Dribble Cuts (U8-U9)
Triangle Goal Game (Passing & Support)
Coach behavior this week
Maximize game time in both sessions. If kids are in lines, something is wrong. At least 40% of every session should be actual play. Your job is to set it up and step back.
Practice 1: Passing
Accurate passing under light pressure
“Open your body so you can see the field when you receive.”
Practice 2: Home shape (2-3-1)
Where to stand when play restarts
“When the GK has the ball, find your home position.”
Videos
3 Essential Rondo Variations (U8-U10)
7v7 Positions and Shapes (2-3-1)
Coach behavior this week
Count touches. Every activity should give every player maximum ball contacts. No lines, no waiting, no standing around watching. If someone doesn't have a ball, fix it.
Practice 1: Shooting
Finishing from different angles
“Pick your corner before you shoot. Placement beats power.”
Practice 2: Compact and spread
Big when we have it, small when they have it
“We have the ball: make the field BIG. They have it: make it SMALL.”
Videos
Turn & Shoot Drill (U8-U10)
Creating Space Session Plan
Coach behavior this week
When a player tries something and fails, praise the attempt. "I love that you tried that." Zero criticism for creative risk. The only bad play is the safe play they were afraid to try.
Practice 1: Defense
1v1 defending and jockeying
“Bend your knees. Stay between the attacker and the goal. Don't dive in.”
Practice 2: Transition
The moment the ball changes teams
“Won it? Look forward and go. Lost it? Get behind the ball. Both start right now.”
Videos
1v1 Defending: Basic & Advanced
3v3 Transition Game (Attack to Defense)
Coach behavior this week
Watch your instruction time. Under 30 seconds for K-2. Under 60 seconds for 3-5. Show, don't tell. If you're talking and eyes are glazing, stop talking and demonstrate.
Practice 1: Dribbling
1v1 moves: scissors, step-over, Cruyff
“Sell the fake. Drop your shoulder the way you're NOT going.”
Practice 2: Playing out of the back
Using the goal-kick retreat to play out (BAYS rule)
“They have to back up. We have time. Use it. Don't rush.”
Videos
How To Do A Scissor Move
How To Do A Step Over
How To Do A Cruyff Turn
Playing Out from the Back
Building out on Goal Kicks
Coach behavior this week
Give choices ("Which game should we play next?"). Make sure every kid has a partner. Check in with the quiet ones. Autonomy, competence, belonging. Hit all three this week.
Practice 1: Passing
Passing to break pressure
“Pass AND move. Don't pass and stand still.”
Practice 2: Attacking as a team
Moving together toward their goal
“When we attack, we all go together. Don't leave your teammates behind.”
Videos
What Is A Give And Go?
Attacking Overloads (U9)
Coach behavior this week
Focus on improvement, not results. Ask players: "What did you get better at today?" Never: "Did we win?" If you catch yourself coaching to win the scrimmage, pause and reset.
Practice 1: Shooting
Quick finishing and composure
“Stay calm in front of goal. Look at the GK, then put it where they're not.”
Practice 2: Defending as a team
Getting behind the ball together
“If the ball is in front of you and you're not pressing, you're out of position.”
Videos
Building Confidence and Finishing
Press & Cover: Defending As A Team (U8-U10)
Coach behavior this week
Rotate every player through every position in both sessions. Nobody is "the striker" or "the defender" yet. Multi-position experience builds complete players.
Weeks 8-10: Coach's Choice
Weeks 8-10 are yours. You've coached 7 principles, 7 technical focuses, and 7 tactical concepts. Now pick what your team needs most.
- •Repeat a week where your team struggled. There's no shame in consolidation.
- •Run a session focused on your team's weakest technical area.
- •Set up a full scrimmage and practice 'coach on the pause' with zero instruction.
- •Let the players plan a practice. Give them the session structure and see what they design.
- •Focus on game-day scenarios: halftime talk practice, pre-game warmup routine, penalty shootout prep.
- •Mix it up: technical from one week + tactical from a different week.
Week 10 is a great time for an end-of-season celebration. Mini tournament, player awards (effort-based, not skill-based), and a parent thank-you.