11v11: 7th - 8th
U13 - U15 · Competition
Full positional play. Zonal defending, pressing with shape, combination play, set pieces. Players make tactical decisions independently.
Keep it fun: before each practice, pick an idea or two from the Fun Ideas page to make it a practice they'll want to come back to.
How each week works: 3 layers
Practice 1 (Technical): We script this. Rotating focus: Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, Defense.
Practice 2 (Tactical): We script this. Core tactical concepts progressing weekly for your age group.
Warrior Way Principle: Not a separate activity. A coaching lens you apply across both practices that week.
Weeks 1-7 are fully scripted. Weeks 8-10 are coach's choice.
10-Week Season Overview
Practice 1: Dribbling
Dribbling to create and exploit space
“Dribble with a purpose. Are you creating space for yourself or a teammate?”
Practice 2: Formation and system of play
4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1: our shape and its variations
“The formation is a starting point, not a cage. Move WITH the game.”
Videos
How You Beat Your Fullback (For Wingers)
4-3-3 vs 4-2-3-1: Formation Comparison
Coach behavior this week
Maximize game time in both sessions. If kids are in lines, something is wrong. At least 40% of every session should be actual play. Your job is to set it up and step back.
Practice 1: Passing
Quick combination play and through balls
- Through ball
- A pass played into the open space behind the defense for a teammate to run onto.
“Weight of the pass matters. Too hard kills the play. Too soft gets intercepted.”
Practice 2: Zonal defending
Defending space, not chasing players
“Defend the zone, not the man. Shift together. If one moves, all move.”
Videos
Improving Through Balls
Best Passing Pattern (Up-Back-Through)
Zonal & Man Marking Explained
Coach behavior this week
Count touches. Every activity should give every player maximum ball contacts. No lines, no waiting, no standing around watching. If someone doesn't have a ball, fix it.
Practice 1: Shooting
Finishing under fatigue and from distance
“Technique holds up when you're tired. That's what separates levels.”
Practice 2: Pressing with shape
Coordinated team press from triggers
“Press is a team decision. If you go alone, you leave a hole.”
Videos
Zig Zag Finishing Drill (U12-U15)
The High Press: Why It Works & How to Coach It
Coach behavior this week
When a player tries something and fails, praise the attempt. "I love that you tried that." Zero criticism for creative risk. The only bad play is the safe play they were afraid to try.
Practice 1: Defense
Defensive shape and recovery
- Defensive shape
- How the team compacts and drops back when the other team has the ball, so there’s less space to play through.
- Recovery run / recovery defending
- Sprinting back into a defensive position after losing the ball (or getting beaten by your attacker) so you’re goalside before they can shoot or cross.
“Communicate. Call 'I've got ball' and 'I've got cover.' Silence kills defense.”
Practice 2: Overlaps and underlaps
Creating overloads in wide areas
“Overlap: 'I'm going around you.' Underlap: 'I'm going inside you.' Call it.”
Videos
Defending the Overload (Midfield Unit)
Overlaps & Underlaps Explained
Coach behavior this week
Watch your instruction time. Under 30 seconds for K-2. Under 60 seconds for 3-5. Show, don't tell. If you're talking and eyes are glazing, stop talking and demonstrate.
Practice 1: Dribbling
Weak foot and advanced moves
- Weak foot
- A player’s less-dominant kicking foot. Developing it removes a predictable weakness defenders can exploit.
“Your weak foot is a ceiling on your development. Every rep raises it.”
Practice 2: Switching play
Moving the ball to exploit the weak side
“If they're overloaded here, the space is over there. Switch it.”
Videos
The SECRET To Unlocking Your WEAK FOOT
10 Easy 1v1 Skills to Beat Defenders
How to Switch Play
Coach behavior this week
Give choices ("Which game should we play next?"). Make sure every kid has a partner. Check in with the quiet ones. Autonomy, competence, belonging. Hit all three this week.
Practice 1: Passing
Playing out from the back under pressure
- Playing out from the back
- Building an attack with short, controlled passes starting from the goalkeeper and center-backs, instead of clearing the ball long.
“Composure on the ball. If you panic and go long, you give it back. Trust the system.”
Practice 2: Set pieces (attacking)
Corners, free kicks, and throw-in routines
“Set pieces are free possessions. Have a plan. Everyone knows their job.”
Videos
Building Out From Goal Kick
Attacking Corner Kick Routines
Free Kick Practice Drill
Coach behavior this week
Focus on improvement, not results. Ask players: "What did you get better at today?" Never: "Did we win?" If you catch yourself coaching to win the scrimmage, pause and reset.
Practice 1: Shooting
Clinical finishing and game management
- Game management
- Making decisions based on the scoreline and the clock — protecting a lead or chasing an equalizer — instead of playing the same way regardless of the score.
“In the real game, you get 2-3 chances. Make the most of each one.”
Practice 2: Set pieces (defending) and game management
Defending corners, managing a lead, chasing a game
“Defend set pieces with discipline, not chaos. Know your job before the ball comes in.”
Videos
Finishing Drill: First Touch & 1v1
1v1 & 2v1 Finishing Drills
Defending Corners: Zonal, Man, or Hybrid
Coach behavior this week
Rotate every player through every position in both sessions. Nobody is "the striker" or "the defender" yet. Multi-position experience builds complete players.
Weeks 8-10: Coach's Choice
Weeks 8-10 are yours. You've coached 7 principles, 7 technical focuses, and 7 tactical concepts. Now pick what your team needs most.
- •Repeat a week where your team struggled. There's no shame in consolidation.
- •Run a session focused on your team's weakest technical area.
- •Set up a full scrimmage and practice 'coach on the pause' with zero instruction.
- •Let the players plan a practice. Give them the session structure and see what they design.
- •Focus on game-day scenarios: halftime talk practice, pre-game warmup routine, penalty shootout prep.
- •Mix it up: technical from one week + tactical from a different week.
Week 10 is a great time for an end-of-season celebration. Mini tournament, player awards (effort-based, not skill-based), and a parent thank-you.