10 Things to Help Run a Great Session 3. Free Play

James Marsh
Nov 4
2 min read

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 learning while doing it.

What It Looks Like in Practice:

Free play isn’t complicated. In fact, the simpler, the better. Here’s how it might look:

You arrive and set up a small pitch: two goals, maybe a halfway line.
One football. No instructions.
As players arrive, they just start playing. They make teams, create their own rules, solve arguments, and get stuck in.

You don’t need to ref or organise it. Your role is more about safeguarding, setting some light boundaries (no tackling from behind, be kind to each other, etc.), and observing what unfolds.

This early part of the session gets kids moving straight away. It’s fun, fast, and informal, it also builds a great energy for the rest of your session.

Real Coaching Examples:

Here are a few simple ways to use free play:

Arrival activity: Set up a mini game that starts as soon as the first few kids arrive. Add players in as they turn up.
"First to 3 goals wins!": Great for short bursts of competition. Let them create new teams and go again.
"You set the rules": Maybe every goal must be scored with your weaker foot or only 1-touch finishes count. Let the kids get creative.

You’ll be surprised how imaginative and fair they can be when you trust them with ownership.

Why It Works:

Free play encourages:

Decision-making and independence
Social skills and teamwork
Creativity and flair
Confidence and enjoyment
Responsibility - they arrive on time to take part

It’s also a great time to spot what they’re interested in or naturally trying to do. Maybe they’re trying a certain turn or pass, which you can then build into your planned session.

Final thought:

Don’t underestimate the value of unstructured play. Giving your players this freedom, even just for the first 10 minutes, can be one of the most powerful parts of your session.

Sometimes the best approach is to step back and let them play.