Free Weekly Session Plan (60 Minutes)

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WEEK 4: SHOOTING – SESSION PLAN

🟢 1. Arrival & Free Play (5 minutes)

Setup:  

Balls out, small goals or cones as targets.

Activities:

• Players dribble and shoot at any target.

• Encourage different types of finishes: inside foot, laces, toe‑poke.

• Celebrate every goal loudly.

Coach focus:

• Warm welcome, fun tone.

• Encourage technique: “Can you hit the target with the side of your foot?”

• Keep it light and energetic.

🟡 2. Fun Warm‑Up Game – “Shoot & Sprint” (10 minutes)

How it works:

• Players dribble to a shooting line.

• Take a quick shot at a mini‑goal.

• After shooting, they sprint around a cone and rejoin the queue.

• Add a “keeper” (coach or player) if you want.

Coaching focus:

• Head over the ball.

• Plant foot beside the ball.

• Quick approach, calm finish.

• Encourage accuracy over power.

Easy adaptations:

• Move shooting line closer/further.

• Add a passive defender chasing from behind.

• Players must finish with weak foot.

🔵 3. Skill Game – “Shooting Gates” (15 minutes)

Setup:  

3–4 cone gates around the pitch.

Players dribble freely with a ball.

How it works:

• When a player reaches a gate, they must shoot through it.

• Shots can be from different angles and distances.

• After shooting, collect ball and find another gate.

Progressions:

• Time challenge: “How many gates can you score through in 1 minute?”

• Add a moving defender who blocks gates.

• Players must shout the type of finish before shooting (“Inside foot!”).

Coaching focus:

• Body shape when striking.

• Using both feet.

• Accuracy first, then power.

• Quick setup touches before shooting.

🟣 4. Fun Challenge Game – “Beat the Defender & Shoot” (10 minutes)

Setup:  

Small 1v1 channels with a mini‑goal at the end.

How it works:

• Attacker starts with the ball.

• Defender starts 2–3 steps behind.

• On “GO!”, attacker drives forward and must get a shot off before defender catches them.

• Swap roles quickly.

Why kids love it:

• Feels like a real breakaway.

• Fast, exciting, competitive.

• Encourages bravery and quick finishing.

Coaching focus:

• Explosive first touch.

• Shoot early, don’t over-dribble.

• Use laces for power, inside foot for accuracy.

• Celebrate attempts, not just goals.

⚽ 5. Small‑Sided Games (15 minutes)

Format:  

3v3 or 4v4 — multiple pitches if needed.

Rules (shooting focus):

• Bonus point for goals scored with inside‑foot accuracy.

• Bonus point for weak‑foot goals.

• Encourage players to shoot when they see space.

• Defenders must not tackle from behind.

Optional conditions:

• First touch must go forward.

• Team must have 3 passes before shooting.

• Goals only count if shot is taken inside a marked “shooting zone”.

Coaching focus:

• Awareness of space to shoot.

• Quick decisions.

• Confidence to try.

• Keep the game flowing.

🔴 6. Cool Down & Finish (5 minutes)

Activities:

• Light dribbling → walking.

• Gentle passing and finishing into empty goals.

• Stretching.

Group chat:  

Ask:

• “What type of shot did you enjoy most today?”

• “Who showed great bravery to shoot?”

• “Who kept trying even when they missed?”

Finish with high‑fives, applause, and a big thank you.

✅ Key Coaching Principles

• Fun first.

• Encourage bravery to shoot.

• Praise loudly, correct quietly.

• Short, energetic activities.

• Reward confidence as much as goals.

• Celebrate effort, not just success.