U6 and U7 football is the most playful, joyful, and technically formative stage of the grassroots game. Players at this age learn through movement, exploration, and fun — and the best coaching you can do is design an environment that lets them touch the ball constantly and try things without fear of failure.
These session plans cover both U6 (typically 3v3 or 4v4, 30–45 minutes) and U7 (typically 5v5, 45 minutes). They share the same coaching philosophy: maximum activity, minimal lectures, lots of repetition, and a game that ties the theme together at the end.
The themes — ball mastery, passing, shooting, defending, pressing, and attacking movement — are age-appropriate versions of the same topics coaches revisit throughout a player's development. At U6 and U7, the goal is for players to end every session having had fun, having touched the ball many times, and wanting to come back next week.
What's included in each session
Each U6 and U7 session plan includes a fun warm-up game, one or two age-appropriate practices, and a small-sided game. Coaching points are simple and positive. Animated diagrams show setup clearly so coaches can replicate it quickly.
Sessions by age group
U6
Chase, Press, Win It Back
Pressing
Defending Stars: Win the Ball Back
Defending
Dribble, Dodge and Drive with Confidence
Ball Mastery & Dribbling
Moving, Combining & Finding Space
Attacking Movement & Combinations
Pass, Receive and Move Together
Passing & Receiving
Shoot, Score and Celebrate!
Shooting & Finishing
U7
Defending Heroes: Win the Ball Back
Defending
Dribble, Dodge and Drive with Confidence
Ball Mastery & Dribbling
Move, Combine & Attack the Space
Attacking Movement & Combinations
Pass, Receive and Move with Confidence
Passing & Receiving
Press Together, Win the Ball Back
Pressing
Shoot to Score: Finishing Fun
Shooting & Finishing
Coaching principles for U6–U7
Every player, a ball
U6 and U7 players should have a ball each for warm-up and most practices. Sharing a ball means half the session is spent watching. If you don't have enough balls, use any round object — the skill transfer still happens.
Games, not drills
Game-based learning outperforms drill repetition at this age. Instead of passing in pairs to a target, play "How many passes can you make in 30 seconds?" The competitive frame increases engagement and effort without the coach having to push.
No offsides, no complicated rules
Keep the game simple. No offside. Goals from anywhere. Encourage shots. Complicated rules reduce shot-taking and dribbling attempts — exactly the skills U6 and U7 players need to develop most.
Short, sharp session blocks
U6 attention spans are 8–10 minutes per activity. Plan for 3–4 short blocks rather than 1–2 long ones. Moving to a new game or changing the rules of the existing game resets engagement without losing the theme.
Get a new session plan every Monday
Full access to all U6 & U7 Football · Age 5–7 sessions, animated diagrams, and printable sheets — for £3/month.
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