Session Plans
The National Curriculum for Football from the FFA has a good selection of session plans for training players involved in both junior and youth football. These session plans have instructions, diagrams, and some also have a short video of the activity being undertaken live.
Junior Football - Skill Acquisition Phase (U8-U12)
The FFA site for this level can be found at Skill Acquisition Phase Sessions
The focus of training at this stage is on the four core skills of football, with a focus on skills required when you and/or your team are in possession of the ball.- 1 v 1: taking on another player to get past them and keep possession of the ball, or to get the ball off them
- First Touch: controlling the ball with your body (except your hands/arms) as you recieve it
- Running with the Ball: running quickly while in possession of the ball, or moving the ball and yourself between opposition players and keeping possession
- Striking the Ball: kicking the ball with purpose (e.g., short passes, long passes, shooting for goal)
Session One
This would work well with twelve players, but could work with a few more or a few less. It includes practice for multiple goal keepers.
1 v 1 session one planSession Two
This session works well if you can form your players into sets of 4 - best with 12 or 8. It includes practice for multiple goal keepers.
1 v 1 session two plan
Session One
This session is organised into three activities - technique practice | skill practice | game practice. Each activity builds directly on the previous, with an added element of complexity and game-realness.
First Touch session one planSession Two
The focus of this session is body shape for first touch, and limited touches to emphasise the importance of using your first touch to set up delivery of the ball to a teammate or for a shot on goal.
First Touch session two planSession Three
This session helps develop the skill of using the first touch to move into space and away from defenders.
First Touch session three plan
Session One
This session encourages running with the ball to create space and set up scoring opportunities.
Running with the Ball session one planSession Two
This session focuses on maintaining possession and avoiding pressure from defenders.
Running with the Ball session two planSession Three
This session incorporates defenders, goal keepers, and use of space.
Running with the Ball session three plan
Session One
This session has a focus on passing accuracy.
Striking the Ball session one planSession Two
Shooting accuracy, and passing to get past defenders are the foci of this session.
Striking the Ball session two planSession Three
The focus of this session is the 'killer pass' where the ball is delivered to a teammate by splitting defenders.
Striking the Ball session three plan