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Why It Matters: Before kids learn how to dribble, pass or shoot, they need the ability to move well ( balance, coordination, agility, and speed). These are the building blocks for everything else in football. In the Foundation Phase (ages 5–11), these skills are still developing. So, weaving movement fundamentals into your sessions not only helps with football but, it supports their all-round physical development. The best part with these types of activities is you don’t need

Why It Matters: Ball mastery is one of the most effective and simple ways to help young players fall in love with the game. At its heart, it’s just players and a ball exploring, experimenting, getting hundreds of touches, and building confidence. In the Foundation Phase (ages 5–11), players are still developing their coordination, balance, and relationship with the ball. So, starting your session with 10 to 15 minutes of ball mastery is a perfect way to get them switched on,

Why It MatterS: Before cones, bibs, and coaching points, kids just played. And that’s the magic of free play. It’s the closest thing to the old-school "jumpers for goalposts" football many of us grew up with. No lines, no pressure, just the joy of playing.  In the Foundation Phase (ages 5–11), free play is a brilliant way to help kids fall in love with the game, explore their own ideas, and learn through real experiences. Best of all? They don’t even realise how much they’re

choose a clear theme/topic: When planning a session for Foundation Phase players, choosing a clear theme is really important. Young players benefit from clarity and repetition, if your coaching is jumping around from topic to topic, they won’t know what to focus on, and progress will be slower.  A clear theme keeps your session focused and helps players understand what they’re learning and why it matters. It also helps you as the coach: your setup, your interventions, and you