All age groups
Indoor winter plan · Ages 11–12

11–12 indoor training plan

Eight weeks, two sessions a week. Each session is a practice, a progression and a game, working through dribbling, 1v1s, passing, receiving, turning, overloads, possession and finishing.

Attacking

Week 1: Dribbling

Session 1

Keep the ball under control when dribbling, and dribble past defenders.

Practice

Dribbling, Ball Mastery and Turns Technical Practice

Lots of touches to improve dribbling while performing ball mastery moves and turns.

20 min · 12 players · 25×25

Kit: 10 balls · 16 cones · 6 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Dribbling Skill Practice

A skills corridor where attackers challenge themselves to keep the ball and use ball mastery skills to beat players.

15 min · 12 players · 20×15

Kit: 6 balls · 20 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Creating and Dominating 1v1s Small-Sided Game

Find space to isolate defenders and win the 1v1 with ball mastery and beat-a-player skills, in a 4-goal game.

15 min · 8 players · 20×20

Kit: 1 ball · 20 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Dribbling under pressure.

Practice

Dribbling in Tight Areas Technical Practice

Dribbling and running with the ball through plenty of interference: good feet and quick changes of direction.

20 min · 12 players · 20×10

Kit: 12 balls · 12 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Dribbling Practice

When to dribble and when to run with the ball, in tight or big spaces.

20 min · 10 players · 20×15

Kit: 4 balls · 12 cones · 10 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Ball Mastery and Turns Small-Sided Game

Ball mastery moves and turns, with challenges in and out of possession in game-related scenarios.

20 min · 12 players · 30×24

Kit: 10 balls · 20 cones · 16 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 2: 1v1 attacking

Session 1

Attacking 1v1.

Practice

Attacking 1v1 Practice

Encourage players to attack defenders with speed and score.

20 min · 8 players · 20×20

Kit: 4 balls · 12 cones · 4 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

1v1 Diagonal Dribbling Skill Practice

Beat a defender from a diagonal position to create chances to score.

5 min · 10 players · 18×20

Kit: 4 balls · 8 cones · 10 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Creating and Dominating 1v1s Small-Sided Game

Find space to isolate defenders and win the 1v1 with ball mastery and beat-a-player skills, in a 4-goal game.

15 min · 8 players · 20×20

Kit: 1 ball · 20 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Attacking in 1v1 and 2v1 situations.

Practice

1v1/2v1 Dribbling Skill Practice

Dribble with close control, then decide whether to beat the defender or shoot early.

20 min · 10 players · 20×15

Kit: 5 balls · 8 cones

Open practice on TCM
Progress

1v1 Italian Square

Make decisions based on the opponent in 1v1 situations.

20 min · 6 players · 15×15

Kit: 9 balls · 4 cones · 6 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Dribbling 1v1 with Side Pressure 4-Goal Game

A 4v4 game with chances to dribble under side pressure.

20 min · 8 players · 30×20

Kit: 1 ball · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 3: Passing

Session 1

Passing under pressure.

Practice

Passing and Moving to Create Space Technical Practice

Use movement to create space and receive the ball.

15 min · 12 players · 15×15

Kit: 6 balls · 10 cones · 10 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Maintaining Possession Skill Practice

Quick, accurate passing, good movement and communication to keep the ball.

15 min · 13 players · 22×22

Kit: 6 balls · 8 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Combine to Finish Small-Sided Game

Build-up play into finishing, with a focus on movement and combination play.

15 min · 9 players · 25×20

Kit: 1 ball · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Passing and combination play under pressure.

Practice

Creating Passing Angles Technical Practice

Players without the ball move to help teammates and create space to receive.

15 min · 9 players · 30×20

Kit: 4 balls · 16 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Passing and Receiving Skill Practice

Passing and receiving technique with plenty of repetition, then under pressure in game-related scenarios.

20 min · 14 players · 20×20

Kit: 12 balls · 6 cones · 14 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Small-Sided Game Without Goalkeepers

A small-sided game to bring out what the session has worked on.

15 min · 8 players · 30×20

Kit: 9 balls · 4 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 4: Receiving

Session 1

Receiving under pressure.

Practice

Passing and Moving Technical Practice

Create and exploit space to pass and receive on the ground, with defenders adding pressure.

15 min · 12 players · 25×30

Kit: 4 balls

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Receiving and Turning Skill Practice

Receive on the back foot to create a 1v1 with a defender.

15 min · 8 players · 20×20

Kit: 6 balls · 16 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Receiving and Turning Small-Sided Game

A 4v4+1 game with a magic man: when to receive on the back foot and when to protect and shield the ball.

20 min · 9 players · 20×20

Kit: 5 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Receiving and turning.

Practice

Passing and Receiving to Keep Possession Technical Practice

Keep possession through game-specific movement, positioning and passing, at a high tempo.

15 min · 8 players · 16×16

Kit: 4 balls · 14 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Passing and Receiving to Penetrate Skill Practice

Awareness and movement on and off the ball to pass and receive in behind opponents.

15 min · 8 players · 24×20

Kit: 4 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Receiving and Turning Small-Sided Game

A 4v4+1 game with a magic man: when to receive on the back foot and when to protect and shield the ball.

20 min · 9 players · 20×20

Kit: 5 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 5: Turning

Session 1

Turning away from pressure.

Practice

Receiving and Turning Technical Practice

Communication, spoken and unspoken, and body shape to receive and control the ball.

15 min · 12 players · 20×20

Kit: 8 balls · 8 cones · 13 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

When to Turn, When to Pass 4-Goal Game

Turn, or pass forward or back, depending on space, time, opponents and teammates.

20 min · 8 players · 21×20

Kit: 9 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Turning Under Pressure End Zone Game

Turning with and without pressure in an end zone game.

15 min · 8 players · 30×20 with 2 end zones

Kit: 10 balls · 16 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Agility with and without the ball.

Practice

Dribbling, Ball Mastery and Turns Technical Practice

Lots of touches to improve dribbling while performing ball mastery moves and turns.

20 min · 12 players · 25×25

Kit: 10 balls · 16 cones · 6 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Ball Mastery and Turns Skill Practice

Ball mastery moves and turns, plus decisions with and without the ball in a 2v2.

15 min · 12 players · 24×24

Kit: 8 balls · 16 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Receiving and Turning Small-Sided Game

A 4v4+1 game with a magic man: when to receive on the back foot and when to protect and shield the ball.

20 min · 9 players · 20×20

Kit: 5 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 6: Overloads

Session 1

Making the most of overloads in attack.

Practice

Attacking Overloads – 2v1 Skill Practice

Attack with pace and use the extra player. Be direct and positive.

5 min · 13 players · 25×25

Kit: 8 balls · 10 cones · 13 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Attacking Quickly Skill Practice

Attack quickly while developing dribbling and turning under pressure, with moves to beat defenders.

20 min · 7 players · 25×15

Kit: 3 balls · 6 cones · 7 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

3v2 and 2v1 Attacking Overloads to Finish

When and how to use the spare player to exploit space and score.

15 min · 9 players · 25×20

Kit: 4 balls · 16 cones · 9 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Dealing with defending outnumbered.

Practice

Defending Outnumbered 2v3 Skill Practice

Delay the attackers and use the principles of defending to stop shots.

15 min · 8 players · 25×20

Kit: 5 balls · 10 cones · 4 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Defending Out of Balance 4v5 Skill Practice

When and how to press, cover and balance when the defence is out of shape.

20 min · 14 players · 30×25

Kit: 4 balls · 10 cones · 14 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Defending Outnumbered Small-Sided Game

A 3v3 game with a neutral player: delay and deny the opposition chances to score.

20 min · 9 players · 25×20

Kit: 1 ball · 10 cones · 4 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 7: Possession

Session 1

Possession in tight spaces.

Practice

Passing and Receiving to Keep Possession Technical Practice

Keep possession through game-specific movement, positioning and passing, at a high tempo.

15 min · 8 players · 16×16

Kit: 4 balls · 14 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Maintaining Possession Skill Practice

Quick, accurate passing, good movement and communication to keep the ball.

15 min · 13 players · 22×22

Kit: 6 balls · 8 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Short and Long Passing 6v6 Conditioned Game

A 6v6 targets game on the quality and variety of short and long passes, and when to find the furthest player forward.

20 min · 12 players · 30×20

Kit: 8 balls · 10 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Possession under pressure.

Practice

When to Turn, When to Pass 4-Goal Game

Turn, or pass forward or back, depending on space, time, opponents and teammates.

20 min · 8 players · 21×20

Kit: 9 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Create Space – 2v2+2 Skill Practice

Martin Hunter shows how players can work in pairs to create space and play forward where possible.

15 min · 16 players · 18×15 (×2), 18×30 total

Kit: 16 balls · 9 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Short and Long Passing 6v6 Conditioned Game

A 6v6 targets game on the quality and variety of short and long passes, and when to find the furthest player forward.

20 min · 12 players · 30×20

Kit: 8 balls · 10 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 8: Finishing

Session 1

Develop your players’ finishing.

Practice

Finishing from Wide and Central Areas Technical Practice

Key crossing and finishing techniques for the final third.

15 min · 12 players · 50×30

Kit: 10 balls · 28 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Finishing 3-Positions Practice

Create shooting chances and finish with different techniques.

20 min · 10 players · 25×20

Kit: 10 balls · 10 cones · 10 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

3 Goal Small-Sided Game

When and how to shoot quickly, create angles to finish and be clinical.

20 min · 10 players · 15×15

Kit: 10 balls · 3 cones · 10 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Develop your players’ finishing.

Practice

Combine to Finish Technical Practice

The movement, first touch and finish players need in a game.

15 min · 10 players · 25×25

Kit: 10 balls · 10 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

1v1/2v1 Dribbling Skill Practice

Dribble with close control, then decide whether to beat the defender or shoot early.

20 min · 10 players · 20×15

Kit: 5 balls · 8 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Combination Play to Shoot Small-Sided Game

Clever passes and combinations to create shots, then follow in for rebounds.

20 min · 11 players · 40×25

Kit: 6 balls · 14 cones · 11 bibs

Open practice on TCM

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