What to train with U7–U8 players, with a sample session

Coaching 6 and 7 year olds (the prebenjamín category in Spain) is a different job from coaching older players. The attention span is short, the ball is still hard to control and the best motivation is the game itself. A session full of queues and explanations loses them in five minutes.

This post sums up what to work on at this age and how to organise it, with a sample session built from tasks on the website.

One ball per player for as much time as possible. Most of the session should be about running with the ball, stopping it, changing direction and shooting. At this age, the number of touches each child gets is what makes them better.

Games, not drills. A game with a story (sharks, traffic lights, thieves) gets children to dribble with their head up without needing an explanation about scanning.

Small games with goals. 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 to small goals: lots of touches, lots of shots, and everybody takes part.

Simple coordination: running, jumping, landing and changing direction with and without the ball. Short and always as a game.

Explanations of 30 seconds or less: show, do not talk. Groups of 4–6 children so nobody waits. Change task every 8–12 minutes, before they get bored, and finish with a match, which is what they came for.

Prepare all the spaces before the session starts. Moving cones while a group of six-year-olds waits is the fastest way to lose control of the session.

Warm-up (15 min): Traffic Lights Dribbling and Sharks and Minnows. Each child has a ball and has to react to the coach's colours or escape from the sharks while keeping the ball close.

Main part (30 min): 1v1 to mini goals in groups of four, then a 3v3 to four goals so that there is always somewhere to attack.

Cool-down (10 min): a short match with no rules except fair play, and the jungle stretching story to end calmly.

Water breaks of 1–2 minutes between blocks complete the hour.

Positions too early: at 6 or 7 there are no full-backs or wingers, there are children who need to touch the ball. Long lines waiting for a shot. Too many instructions during the game. And correcting technique while they are trying to enjoy a match.

If you only have one thing in mind, make it this: the more time each child spends with the ball, the better the session.