On the Field

Practice Plans

Ready-to-use session templates, age-specific activities, and the Play-Practice-Play framework — so you can walk onto the field confident and prepared.

The Framework

Play – Practice – Play (PPP)

AYSO's recommended session structure. Simple, effective, and player-centered.

P1

Play

Start with a small-sided game. Players are engaged immediately. You diagnose what skills need work while they're having fun.

~25% of session time

P2

Practice

Run focused activities that address what you saw in P1. Keep groups small, repetitions high, and waiting time near zero. No lines!

~50% of session time

P3

Play

Return to a game context. Players apply the skills they just practiced. Celebrate effort and improvement.

~25% of session time

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Golden rule: Every player should be active, with a ball, for the maximum possible proportion of your session. A player standing in a line is a player not developing.
Ready to Use

Session Plans by Age Group

Each plan is a full 45–90 minute session with warm-up, activities, and games.

⚽ 6U & 8U — The Fun Foundation

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Key principle for 6U/8U: Every single session should feel like play. Focus on touching the ball as many times as possible. Smiling is the metric.

Theme: Getting comfortable with the ball at your feet

  • P1 (10 min): Free dribble in a grid — slowly shrink the space
  • P2a (8 min) — Traffic lights: Red (stop), Yellow (slow), Green (go fast)
  • P2b (10 min) — Sharks & minnows: 2 coaches are sharks, players dribble to safety
  • P3 (15 min): 2v2 or 3v3 games with small goals, no goalkeeper
  • Wrap-up (2 min): Ask players their favourite moment. High-fives all around.

Theme: Striking the ball with intent and accuracy

  • P1 (10 min): Free shooting on cones from various angles — kick and chase, no lines
  • P2a (8 min) — Kick the cone: Dribble and try to knock over a cone with a shot
  • P2b (10 min) — Score the goal: Pairs take turns passing and shooting, no goalkeeper
  • P3 (15 min): 3v3 with small goals. Celebrate every goal from both teams.

Theme: The joy of working together

  • P1 (10 min): 2v2 — emphasise "find your teammate"
  • P2a (8 min) — Pass & follow: Player A passes to B then runs to B's spot
  • P2b (10 min) — Keep away: 3 players keep ball from 1 defender, rotate every 90 sec
  • P3 (15 min): 4v4 — coach encourages "look up, find a friend"
  • Favourite activities chosen by the players (vote before session)
  • Coach vs. Players game (let the kids win)
  • Skill showcase — each player demonstrates something they're proud of
  • Circle: each player shares one thing they learned this season

⚽ 10U — Building the Game

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Key principle for 10U: Players are ready to understand the "why" behind activities. Introduce simple tactics always through games, never through lectures.

Theme: Escaping pressure with quick turns

  • P1 (12 min): 4v4 game — notice who turns away from pressure naturally
  • P2a (10 min) — Colour turns: Dribble freely, coach calls a colour cone — must turn and go to it
  • P2b (12 min) — 1v1 turn and escape: Defender pressures, attacker must turn and reach safety cone
  • P2c (10 min) — Rondo 4v2: Outside players keep the ball; intercepted passer joins the middle
  • P3 (14 min): 5v5 with focus question: "How many times did you turn away from pressure?"

Theme: Controlling the ball to create time and space

  • P1 (12 min): 4v4 — watch for heavy first touches giving possession away
  • P2a (10 min) — Wall pass pairs: 1 touch to control, 1 touch to pass. Soft, cushioned receive.
  • P2b (12 min) — Diamond passing: 4 players in diamond shape, pass and move to next cone
  • P3 (14 min): 5v5 — bonus point for a goal after a clean first touch that beats a defender

⚽ 12U & Above — Developing the Full Player

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Key principle for 12U+: Introduce team shape and positional awareness through game situations. Use short freeze moments, then return to play immediately.

Theme: When and how to press as a unit

  • P1 (15 min): 7v7 — observe defensive organisation naturally
  • P2a (15 min) — 2v1 + 1 pressing: Forward presses, second player covers the pass lane
  • P2b (20 min) — Transition game: Win ball, play to target player within 5 seconds
  • P3 (20 min): 7v7 with coach freeze moments to highlight pressing triggers
  • Debrief (5 min): "What was the trigger for your press?" Discussion, not lecture.

Theme: Breaking lines with combination play

  • P1 (15 min): 7v7 — observe who plays simple pass vs who finds the third player
  • P2a (15 min) — 3-player combinations: Wall pass, overlap, third man run — practice all three
  • P2b (20 min) — 4v3 to goal: Attackers must use a combination before shooting
  • P3 (20 min): 7v7 — bonus goal for a third-man run resulting in a shot

Even More Session Content

AYSO U has full session plans for every age group and theme — completely free.

🎓 Browse AYSO U Session Library →