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Free practice plan · Ages 12–13 · 11v11 · First 11v11 yearA U13 practice plan for 11v11:
Get Free to Receive
A field this big needs players who can get free before the ball arrives. Ninety minutes, sixteen to twenty players, and one idea: away first, then to the ball. Every activity here is free on this site, with its own page and an animated video.
- Away first, then to the ball. Make the defender move.
- Receive on the back foot, already half-turned.
Bring: Ball each, two goals, flat cones in two colors, pinnies in three colors.
Your job: Say the principle, not the play. At these ages the players should be running the game.
The session, minute by minute
4v2 Split
RondoA 10x10. Four attackers on the sides, two defenders inside working as a pair. Six passes is a point. A pass that splits the two defenders is three. Defenders swap when they win it: the attacker who lost it goes in with the attacker to their right. Attackers may use one or two touches. Players start as they arrive.
HarderOne touch for anyone receiving on the same side the ball came from.
If it stallsNo splits happening? Give a point for a pass that changes the side of the square, so they start moving the defenders.
Check and Receive
SharpenTwo servers 12 yards apart, a receiver in the middle with a shadow defender behind. Three sets. The receiver checks away from the ball, then comes back to receive on the back foot. Receive, turn, play to the far server. Repeat the other way. Change the receiver every minute. Run it for ten minutes, then add the first progression.
HarderThe shadow goes live once the receiver touches the ball.
If it stallsReceivers standing and asking? Nobody may receive until they have moved 3 yards away first.
Pocket Rondo
SolveA 15x12. Three lines of cones split the area into thirds. Four attackers on the ends, one in the middle third, three defenders in the middle third. Score by passing from one end player to the other through the middle third. The pocket player may receive and lay off, or let it run. Defenders win: everyone changes. Run it in rounds and change who is in the pocket.
HarderThe pocket player must touch the ball in every scoring move.
If it stallsPocket never open? Make the middle third two yards wider.
11v11, 3 x 8 minutes
PlayA goal counts double if the move included a pass to a player between the lines. Short of players? Play even teams on a smaller field. The rule stays the same. Water comes before this block, never in the middle of it.
Our goal kick
Set pieceCenter backs to the corners of the box, full-backs to halfway. The keeper picks the free one. Walk it, then play it live against pressers.
Shorter session?
With 75 minutes, halve Sharpen. With 60, skip it and run Rondo, Solve, Play and the set piece. Never cut Play.
Match day: what to watch for
Three things to look for from the touchline:
- Do players move away before they show for the ball?
- Do they receive half-turned, or facing their own goal?
- Do they arrive as the pass is played?
Questions coaches ask
What changes at U13?
The full pitch. A field that size needs a game model, because no player can cover the distances alone. The through-the-lines guide is a good place to start.
What if receivers stand still and ask for it?
Nobody may receive until they have moved 3 yards away first.
Can U13 players head the ball?
Heading is limited at U13 and allowed from U14. Nothing in this plan needs it.
More free practice plans
A full match week, every week, for twelve weeks
The Full Season Travel Curriculum for ages 13 to 18 is the game model in six pages, 36 sessions built around MD-4, MD-3 and MD-2, twelve match-day pages, set pieces and the 35-minute warm-up. Two editions: 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.