First Touches
Getting comfortable with the ball — rolling, stopping, bouncing and exploring movement in all directions
⏳ 50 minutes · 5 activities
1
Hello Ball!
Each child gets a ball and explores it freely — no rules, just play.
Setup
- Every child has their own ball
- Mark out a large area — roughly 20x20 yards
- No instructions at first — just let them play
How to Play
- Give each child a ball and let them do whatever they want with it for 2 minutes
- Then call out: can you roll it with your foot? Can you stop it with your foot? Can you sit on it?
- After each challenge, shout 'brilliant!' and give them a new one
Rules
- Challenge: can you roll the ball in a big circle around yourself?
- Challenge: can you bounce it with your hands then stop it with your foot?
- Let children suggest their own challenges — they often come up with great ones
1
There are no wrong answers here — every attempt gets a positive reaction2
Crouch down to their level when giving instructions3
Don't correct technique at this stage — just build excitement about the ball2
Magic Ball Island
Children dribble around an imaginary island following the coach's story — develops basic ball control with movement.
Setup
- Every child has a ball inside the grid
- Tell the children they are on a magic island and the ball is their treasure
- They must keep their treasure safe while exploring the island
How to Play
- Walk slowly with the ball — 'the island is muddy, walk carefully'
- Run fast with the ball — 'quick, a wave is coming!'
- Freeze and put foot on ball — 'crocodile in the water, stay still!'
Progressions
- Add turns — 'the path goes left now' / 'turn around, there's a dragon!'
- Progress: 'the island is getting smaller' — shrink the grid each time
1
Keep the story going — the more imaginative, the more engaged they are2
Look for children who are looking up while dribbling and praise them loudly3
If a child loses their ball, help them get it back quickly — never leave anyone without a ball3
Body Part Stoppers
Children dribble freely then stop the ball with whichever body part the coach calls — develops ball familiarity and listening.
Setup
- Every child has a ball, dribbling freely in the grid
- Coach stands where all children can see and hear them
- No teams, no competition — everyone does it together
How to Play
- Children dribble around the space
- Coach calls a body part: 'foot!' 'knee!' 'elbow!' 'bottom!' 'nose!'
- Children stop the ball using that body part — sillier parts get the biggest laughs and engagement
Key Focus
- Speed it up — call the next body part before they've fully stopped the last
- Let children take turns calling the body part
- Add movement between calls: 'now run backwards!'
1
Celebrate every attempt — correct body part or not2
Get down and do it with them — children learn by copying adults3
Keep energy high with your voice — your enthusiasm is contagious at this age4
Free Dribble
Children dribble freely with no instructions — pure enjoyment and exploration.
Setup
- Every child has a ball in the open space
- If you have goals, set them up — children can dribble in and 'score' if they want
- No rules, no teams
How to Play
- Let them play however they want
- If they want to copy a game they saw on TV, let them
- Join in yourself if they invite you
Coach role: Completely hands off. Watch, smile, and celebrate anything that looks good. This is the most important part of the session — they associate football with joy.
5
Cool Down & Chat
Simple stretches and a big thumbs up to end the session positively.
Stretches
- Everyone sits in a circle with their ball in their lap
- Coach sits in the circle too
Q1. What was your favourite thing today?
Q2. Can you show me one thing you learned with your ball?
Q3. Big thumbs up if you want to come back next week!