Hi Martin. I would initially suggest that the issue is not in terms of them playing down the line, it is actually more to do with their own individual confidence to stay on the ball. I would try playing some activities like the Stadium Game by Pete Sturgess (google it). I would phrase the U7 age group as them and the ball. Once their own confidence and ball control grows, they will start to lift their heads, and connect with their mate. I would then look to play 2v1 games where it is me, my friend and the ball. If you picture in your head the process is a game of cat and mouse (Tom and Jerry). One has to develop body moves and ball manipulation skills to then be able to confidently beat their opponent. What you have described above is tactical rather than technical at this point. So, I would reframe what your are trying to focus on - take care of the small technical details so the bigger technical things will grow in time. Long term development is a marathon, not a sprint. I hope some of that makes sense!

Hi Martin. I would initially suggest that the issue is not in terms of them playing down the line, it is actually more to do with their own individual confidence to stay on the ball. I would try playing some activities like the Stadium Game by Pete Sturgess (google it). I would phrase the U7 age group as them and the ball. Once their own confidence and ball control grows, they will start to lift their heads, and connect with their mate. I would then look to play 2v1 games where it is me, my friend and the ball. If you picture in your head the process is a game of cat and mouse (Tom and Jerry). One has to develop body moves and ball manipulation skills to then be able to confidently beat their opponent. What you have described above is tactical rather than technical at this point. So, I would reframe what your are trying to focus on - take care of the small technical details so the bigger technical things will grow in time. Long term development is a marathon, not a sprint. I hope some of that makes sense!