Age group: U7 (3v3) | Skill focus: Defending | Session length: Approx. 60 minutes Tackling is where brave defending pays off – but at U7 it has to be taught properly: strong standing foot, firm contact through the middle of the ball, and timing over lunging. This session warms up the jockey-and-wait habits, isolates clean tackling technique in lanes, then puts it into live duels where a well-timed tackle launches an attack. Session at a glance Part 1 – Warm-Up / Introductory Technical (15 min): “Jockey & Pounce” – 1v1 Delay and Win Part 2 – Technical Practice (20 min): 1v1 Tackling Technique Part 3 – Game Based Practice (20 min): “1v1 Breakout” – Win the Race Key words for the whole session: time it, strong foot, through the ball, stay on your feet, win it cleanly. Part 1 – Warm-Up / Introductory Technical Practice (15 min) “Jockey & Pounce” – 1v1 Delay and Win Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Set up lanes of 2 players for a 1v1 (10x5 yards per lane) Zones at each end of the lane 1 ball per pair 🏃 Activity: Attacker starts with the ball and dribbles toward the defender aiming to score in the opposite zone. Defender must jockey and delay, not dive in As soon as the attacker takes a heavy touch, the defender steps in to win it After winning the ball, the defender dribbles to the opposite end zone Switch roles after every turn ✅ Coaching points: Stay low and side-on – don't rush in Watch the ball, not the player's feet Time the tackle when the attacker makes a mistake How this links to the session theme: Good tackles come after good delay. Re-visiting the jockey-and-pounce pattern warms up the approach work – slowing the attacker, staying low and balanced – so that when the tackle is taught in full, players are already arriving at the right moment to make it. Part 2 – Technical Practice (20 min) 1v1 Tackling Technique Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Set up small 1v1 lanes, 10x5 yards each Mark a “gate” (1-yard wide) using cones at the end of each lane 1 ball per pair 🏃 Activity: Player A starts with the ball and tries to dribble through the opposite gate Player B defends, jockeying and timing their tackle The player without the ball must try to win the ball before the attacker reaches the gate Play until one of the players scores in the gate and then reset. Score a point for clean tackles or successful dribbles. Play until one of the players scores 3 points and then swap players so they get to play against other players ✅ Coaching points: Plant your standing foot beside the ball, not too far back Get low and on your toes to stay balanced and mobile Tackle when the attacker takes a heavy touch How this links to the session theme: The technique under the microscope: defenders jockey in the lane and make firm, clean block tackles as the attacker tries to reach the gate. Points for clean tackles – and for successful dribbles – keep both players honest, with first-to-three adding jeopardy to every duel. Part 3 – Game Based 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: The race game turns tackling into a live match moment. Whoever loses the race to the ball must defend instantly – jockey, time the challenge, win it cleanly – and a good tackle here means possession and a chance to score, teaching players that tackling is the start of attacking. Download Session Plan