Age group: U7 (3v3) | Skill focus: Dribbling & Ball Mastery | Session length: Approx. 60 minutes 3v3 football is a series of duels – win your 1v1 and your team has an advantage everywhere on the pitch. This session is about giving players the tools and the bravery to take an opponent on: moves rehearsed against a mirror, races that reward a quick first touch and a fearless dribble, and finally non-stop 1v1 battles where every player attacks and defends. Session at a glance Part 1 – Warm-Up / Introductory Technical (15 min): “Mirror Me” – 1v1 Ball Mastery Practice Part 2 – Technical Practice (20 min): “1v1 Breakout” – Win the Race Part 3 – Game Based Practice (20 min): “Mini 1v1 Battles” – Tight Space Duels Key words for the whole session: be brave, sell the feint, quick first touch, attack the space, win your battle. Part 1 – Warm-Up / Introductory Technical Practice (15 min) “Mirror Me” – 1v1 Ball Mastery Practice Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Set up multiple 5x5 yard boxes (2 players per box) One cone in the centre of each box One ball per player 🏃 Activity: Players face each other with a cone between them One player is the "leader", the other is the "mirror" Leader dribbles left, right, feints, stops – mirror must copy Switch roles every 30 seconds ✅ Coaching points: Encourage quick changes of direction and explosive first steps Use body feints and eye contact to mislead the defender Promote confidence and creativity – no wrong moves! How this links to the session theme: The mirror duel rehearses every 1v1 weapon without the fear of losing the ball: feints, stops, quick changes of direction. Leaders practise selling a move; mirrors practise reading one – both halves of the duel the rest of the session is built on. Part 2 – Technical Practice (20 min) “1v1 Breakout” – Win the Race Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Set up a 10x15 yard lanes (4 players per lane) One cone at the halfway line, mini goal at each end 1 ball between each pair 🏃 Activity: Players start facing each other at the halfway cone Coach plays a ball in between them – first to the ball attacks Attacker tries to beat the defender and score in the mini goal Rotate roles each turn (attack and defend) Emphasise going forward quickly after the move ✅ Coaching points: Use a quick, explosive first touch after winning the ball Encourage feints, stepovers, scissors – let them express themselves Reinforce dribbling with pace and purpose once the move is made How this links to the session theme: First to the coach's ball attacks, the other defends – an instant, live 1v1. Players must react quickest, then use a move from the warm-up to beat their opponent and finish, learning that duels are won with both sharpness and bravery. Part 3 – Game Based Practice (20 min) “Mini 1v1 Battles” – Tight Space Duels Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Set up small 5x5 yard grids using cones 2 players and 1 ball per grid Place 2 cones as a goal at each end 🏃 Activity: Each pair plays 1v1 in their grid Score by dribbling through the opponent’s goal or stopping the ball on the line Games last 2 minutes, then players rotate partners Keep individual scores to encourage effort Progression: Add touch limit or “weak foot goal” bonus ✅ Coaching points: Encourage close control and body feints Defenders should stay low, delay, and tackle when ready Support confidence to attack and be creative How this links to the session theme: The session ends with pure duelling: 2-minute 1v1 battles in tight grids, new opponent each round. Every skill – feints, close control, quick turns – gets tested repeatedly, and the running score gives every battle an edge, just like a real match. Download Session Plan