As we approach the end of the year, we’ve rounded up five session ideas you may have missed from us in 2023.

Save, support, repeat

Want to engage goalkeepers in your practices? This small-sided game from Ian Bateman gives your GKs plenty of opportunities to practice saves and distribute the ball.

This 3v3 activity in a small area means the goalkeepers will face more shots. Plus, it re-starts from the goal when they concede, giving them more chance to play with the ball at their feet.  

You can read more and download the session plan here. Or, watch the session in action:

Hot potato caterpillar  

This session idea is part of our play phase programme for children aged 4-6. 

It’s simple to set up and doesn’t need much equipment – just a football and some cones.

“Hot potato caterpillar” introduces important communication and movement skills by getting your players to work the ball down the line as a team. You can slowly make it more football-specific by encouraging them to use their feet. 

You can read more and download the session plan here. Or, watch the session in action:   

Play forward to find the target  

Paul Holder, FA youth coach developer, shares a session that helps players play forward quickly and combine with attackers.

The activity uses different targets at both ends of the pitch. This means, attackers and defenders must think differently about their movement and combinations to score and stop goals. 

You can read more and download the session plan here. Or, watch the session in action:  

Getting in behind to score 

Turning is a skill that is often overlooked. But it can be the key to unlocking defences.

This activity from Amy Price helps players get used to receiving the ball under pressure and encourages them to control, turn and play forward. 

You can read more and download the session plan here. Or, watch the session in action: 

Small-sided duel  

Inspired by our diamond duel game, this activity is about reaching cones to score points. But focuses on the art of tackling and encourages quick counter-attacks.

The aim is for attackers to score points by working the ball to any of the three cones in front of them. Meanwhile, the defenders must stop the attackers from reaching the cones.

You can read more and download the session plan here. Or, watch the session in action:

Enjoyed these sessions? There’s plenty more at learn.englandfootball.com/sessions