All age groups
Indoor winter plan · Ages 8–10

8–10 indoor training plan

Eight weeks, two sessions a week. Each session is a practice, a progression and a game, with lots of touches on the ball: ball mastery, turning, dribbling, receiving and plenty of 1v1s.

At this age the best thing an indoor session can do is give every player lots of touches on the ball. This plan is built around ball mastery, turning and dribbling, with plenty of 1v1s to attack and defend. The practices are short, often 10 to 15 minutes, so players stay switched on. Most practices have a ball per player. A hall gives you a tight, contained space where players get far more touches than on a big outdoor pitch. Expect noise, and plenty of it.

Attacking

Week 1: Ball mastery and turning

Session 1

Ball mastery under pressure.

Practice

Toe Taps and Drag Backs

Toe taps and drag backs, practised as a group.

10 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 8 balls · 8 cones

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 · 8+ players · 24×24

Kit: 8 balls · 16 cones · 12 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

Turns to change direction quickly with the ball.

Practice

Receiving and Turning Technical Practice

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

15 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 8 balls · 8 cones · 13 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Dribbling and Turning Skill Practice

The core technique for dribbling and turning with the ball at your feet.

20 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 3 balls · 8 cones · 11 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 · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 2: Dribbling and 1v1 attacking

Session 1

Dribbling.

Practice

Group Ball Mastery: V Pushes and Sole Inside

A group ball mastery exercise to help players become masters of the ball.

10 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 8 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Dribbling 1v1 and 2v1 Skill Practice

When and how to dribble, and when to use support, to beat the defender.

20 min · 8+ players · 20×15

Kit: 5 balls · 8 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Dribbling Line Ball Small-Sided Game

Challenges and advice on winning 1v1s in a line ball game.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 4 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Attacking 1v1.

Practice

Group Ball Mastery: Inside Outside with Both Feet

The inside-outside, with both feet.

10 min · 8+ players · 30×30

Kit: 12 balls · 13 cones · 13 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

1v1 Italian Square

Make decisions based on the opponent in 1v1 situations.

20 min · 8+ players · 15×15

Kit: 9 balls · 4 cones · 6 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Small-Sided Line Ball Game

Encourages players to be positive and direct with the ball at their feet.

15 min · 8+ players · 30×20

Kit: 9 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking & defending

Week 3: 1v1 defending and passing

Session 1

Defending 1v1.

Practice

Defending 1v1 Skill Practice

Four 1v1 mini-games to practise 1v1 defending.

15 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 4 balls · 20 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Defending 1v1 Skill Practice

Three types of 1v1 to defend the goal, in game-like situations.

20 min · 8+ players · 36×24

Kit: 10 balls · 10 cones · 3 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Dribbling Line Ball Small-Sided Game

Challenges and advice on winning 1v1s in a line ball game.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 4 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Passing under pressure and in isolation.

Practice

Combination Play Technical Practice

Recognise when and how to use movement to lose a defender, find space to receive and combine in the middle to keep the ball.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 6 balls · 8 cones

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Italian Square Skill Practice

Scales from 1v1 up to 10v10 in the middle. Principles of play, passing and receiving to play forward.

15 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 12 balls · 8 cones · 10 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 and combination play

Session 1

Receiving technique.

Practice

Awareness to Find Space, Receive and Pass Technical Practice

Be aware of your surroundings, move to find space, receive on the half turn and combine.

15 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 4 balls · 12 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 · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 12 balls · 6 cones · 14 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Receiving and Turning Small-Sided Game

With an extra attacking player: when and how to receive to turn, or keep possession.

20 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 5 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Combination play under pressure.

Practice

Creating Space to Receive Technical Practice

When and how to use movement to lose a defender and find space to receive.

15 min · 8+ players · 20×10

Kit: 6 balls · 6 cones

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Support Play to Keep Possession Skill Practice

Think off the ball and support teammates in front and behind to keep the ball.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 4 balls · 14 cones · 9 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Creating Space Modified Game

Movement to receive passes and create chances to score or keep the ball.

15 min · 8+ players · 30×20

Kit: 4 balls · 24 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking & defending

Week 5: 1v1 attacking and defending

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

Attacking 1v1 Using Dribbling and Ball Mastery Skills

Use skills to get past defenders.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 10 balls · 16 cones · 6 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

Session 2

Defending 1v1.

Practice

Defending as an Individual Warm-Up

Defending when outnumbered, guiding attackers into areas where the ball can be won.

10 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 4 balls · 4 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Defending 1v1 Skill Practice

Three types of 1v1 to defend the goal, in game-like situations.

20 min · 8+ players · 36×24

Kit: 10 balls · 10 cones · 3 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Defending Crosses Small-Sided Game

Lots of crosses to defend in the box, with plenty of interference and decisions.

20 min · 8+ players · 28×28

Kit: 8 balls · 16 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 6: Ball mastery, turning and dribbling

Session 1

Ball mastery and turning.

Practice

Ball Mastery and Turns Technical Warm-Up

Lots of repetitions to get players comfortable on the ball.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 10 balls · 15 cones · 6 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Retaining the Ball and Turning Under Pressure

Receive under pressure, keep the ball and look to turn.

20 min · 8+ players · 30×30

Kit: 10 balls · 16 cones · 12 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

Dribbling.

Practice

Dribbling Skill Practice

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

15 min · 8+ players · 20×15

Kit: 6 balls · 20 cones

Open practice on TCM
Progress

1v1 Beat the Player Moves Skill Practice

Ball mastery and dribbling skills to beat a defender 1v1.

15 min · 8+ players · 10×10

Kit: 6 balls

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 · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 5 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM
Attacking

Week 7: Passing and receiving

Session 1

Passing and receiving in tight spaces.

Practice

Passing to Receive and Turn Warm-Up

Where and how to pass, with players off the ball moving to create space, turn and play forward.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×30

Kit: 4 balls · 24 cones · 14 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Spatial Awareness to Receive and Play Forwards

Runs to lose a defender and create space, then receive and play forward.

15 min · 8+ players · 15×15

Kit: 3 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM
Play

Creating Space Small-Sided Game

Andy Martino coaches players to create space and exploit it.

20 min · 8+ players · 30×20

Kit: 6 balls · 12 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

Session 2

Receiving under pressure.

Practice

Finding Space to Pass Technical Practice

Awareness to create passing lines and angles to pass and receive.

15 min · 8+ players · 15×15

Kit: 5 balls · 4 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Passing and Receiving 2v2+2 Skill Practice

Combination play to play forward in a 2v2+2.

10 min · 8+ players · 30×25

Kit: 6 balls · 10 cones · 6 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 · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 5 balls · 12 cones

Open practice on TCM
Attacking & defending

Week 8: 1v1s and 2v2s

Session 1

Attacking 1v1 and 2v2.

Practice

Attacking 1v1 Practice

Encourage players to attack defenders with speed and score.

12 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 4 balls · 12 cones · 4 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

When to Dribble and When to Pass 2v2 Skill Practice

In 2v2s, when and how to dribble or combine to get beyond defenders.

20 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 6 balls

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

Defending 1v1 and 2v2.

Practice

Defending 1v1 Skill Practice

Four 1v1 mini-games to practise 1v1 defending.

15 min · 8+ players · 20×20

Kit: 4 balls · 20 cones · 12 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Progress

Defending 1v1 Skill Practice

Three types of 1v1 to defend the goal, in game-like situations.

20 min · 8+ players · 36×24

Kit: 10 balls · 10 cones · 3 bibs

Open practice on TCM
Play

Dribbling Line Ball Small-Sided Game

Challenges and advice on winning 1v1s in a line ball game.

15 min · 8+ players · 25×25

Kit: 4 balls · 8 cones · 8 bibs

Open practice on TCM

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