Age group: U10-U11 (7v7) | Skill focus: First Touch | Session length: Approx. 60 minutes At U10-U11 the first touch stops being about control and starts being about intention: every touch should already be the start of the next action. This session works the touch with both feet through gates, grooves the directional touch around the diamond, then throws players into multi-ball chaos where only prepared, purposeful touches survive. Session at a glance Part 1 – Warm-Up / Introductory Technical (15 min): Passing on Both Feet - Footwork Gate Exchange Part 2 – Technical Practice (20 min): First Touch - Directional First Touch Part 3 – Game Based Practice (20 min): First Touch - Multi Ball Chaos Key words for the whole session: touch with intention, know your next action first, both feet, first touch = first pass of the dribble. Part 1 – Warm-Up / Introductory Technical Practice (15 min) Passing on Both Feet - Footwork Gate Exchange Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Create a 20x20m area Create 8 cone gates (1m wide), 6 pairs across area Players work in pairs, each pair starts at a gate 1 ball per pair 🏃 Activity: Players pass through gate with right foot Receiver then takes first touch with left foot towards a different gate Pair arrive at another gate and pass again Alternate feet for passing and receiving every 2 minutes Score points for each clean pass through a gate ✅ Coaching points: Focus on quality not just speed Small adjustment touches before pass if needed Stay balanced and face partner How this links to the session theme: The gate exchange pairs receiving and releasing on opposite feet, gate after gate. It re-tunes the fundamentals the chaos game will stress-test: soft first contact, feet organised early, and a touch that always points somewhere useful. Part 2 – Technical Practice (20 min) First Touch - Directional First Touch Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: 4 cones in a diamond shape (10m between) 1 player on each cone 1 Feeder in the centre 🏃 Activity: Feeder plays ball into player Player takes directional first touch to shift the ball to the other side of their cone They then play a pass back to the feeder who passing to another player Repeat using different foot and direction Progression: Set a 2-touch limit for all players ✅ Coaching points: First touch should prepare for next action Use inside, outside or sole to manipulate Keep control without losing speed How this links to the session theme: The theme's core skill isolated: receive the feed and take the first touch around the cone in one movement – left, right, alternating on command. The touch is the turn; players learn to let the ball do the work their second touch used to do. Part 3 – Game Based Practice (20 min) First Touch - Multi Ball Chaos Created using Tactics Manager 🔧 How to set up the activity: Place 9 cones in a grid all 5m apart One player on each cone 2 balls in play 🏃 Activity: Players can pass one cone horizontally or vertically Players in the middle must keep and open Encourage 1-touch and 2-touch variations Focus on moving first touch towards the next passing target Progression: Add a third ball ✅ Coaching points: Angle first touch towards the next passing target Be decisive - don’t let the ball stop dead Scan before turning to assess best option How this links to the session theme: Two balls moving through a nine-player grid: everyone receives, angles a first touch and releases while scanning for the next delivery. It is first-touch training at match brain-speed – prepare early, touch with purpose, or the whole grid breaks down. Download Session Plan