Dear Coach,

Its my pleasure to present you with your free development coaching manual. This
manual is a sample of the work that is conducted in our “Foundation” programme. The
programme is put in place to develop children in their local centres and give them a
chance to progress to our academy at u9 age group.
The manual includes 60 practices across the following areas
1. Fun warm up games
2. Individual technique and skill
3. 1v1 practices
4. Overload and Finishing
5. Small sided games
6. Goalkeeping
when planning a session, we aim to ensure that the practices are fun and game
related. In addition, they should develop the players technically, physically, socially
(interaction with other players, communication) and mentally (improve game
awareness, decision making).
We hope this manual helps you in your role as a youth coach. If you should have any
queries or feedback, please feel free to contact me direct on the numbers below.

Best wishes

Michael Beale
Youth Development Officer
01932 596 122
07841460235
Michael.Beale@chelseafc.com
 “The training session should always begin with a fun
practice. This will ensure that all players are
communicating, smiling and enjoying themselves. In
addition, the players will now be warmed up and ready for
the training ahead”
1 2

Continuous heading game. The coach must alternate One player is the leader. The other player is the chaser.
serves between the two teams. After heading at goal, the Both players jog to the centre cone. The leader now tries
players must quickly become the keeper for the other to show disguise and sprint through a gate. Can
teams header. The first team to 5 goals wins the chaser beat the leader?

3 4

The players dribble around the area. The aim is to kick the The players work in pairs with one ball in between them.
other players ball out of the area whilst protecting your The coach calls out body parts (head, toes, knees etc).
ball. If your ball is knocked out of the area then you are The players must touch that area of their body. When the
out of the game. The last player in the area is the winner. Coach calls “snatch” the first player to grab the ball wins
 5 6

One player acts as the chaser, one player puts a bib Each player puts a bib in the back of their shorts. The aim
In the back of their shorts and acts as the “driver” of the of the game is to pull away the bib from another players
huddle. The players link arms and listen to the “driver” in shorts. The last player with a bib in their shorts is the
order to move and stop the chaser grabbing the bib Winner.

7 8

Two teams. Each team has one server whilst the rest of One player works as the first defender. The other players
the players take turns to head the ball. The aim is to must shield their ball from the defender. If the defender
knock a ball off the cones. The first team to knock all knocks a ball from the cones then the shielding player
three balls off the cones is the winner becomes the new defender. The game is continuous

9 10

Handball game. The player in possession is not allowed Game 1. The defender tries to tackle an attacker, if
to move with the ball. The other players must move successful then the roles are reversed (continuous game).
to receive a thrown pass. When near the goal, the players Game 2. The defender must kick all 4 balls out of the area
Can score by throwing (1pt) or Heading (2pts) into the goal (The attackers can pass to each other as balls decrease)
 “In each practice adequate time should be spent on
developing the skills and techniques of each individual
player. This ensures that each player is developing their
technical ability through lots of touches and contact time
with the ball”
1 2

The players perform different dribbling movements through Players work in pairs. The dribbling player must attempt
the cones. The players should do four repetitions of Various skills and feints with the ball. The defending player
best foot, weak foot, insides of both, outside of both, sole must jockey the dribbler. On the coaches whistle the roles
drags, toe touches on the ball etc are quickly reversed.

3 4

Players work in pairs. The dribbling player dribbles away The players take turns to pass into the middle and then
from their partner who jogs slowly behind. On the go into the gate to perform turns from a pass.
coaches whistle, the dribbling player must quickly turn and 1 – player opens out using back foot 2 – players turns
pass to his partner who has made a run into space using inside of foot 3 – player turns using outside of foot
 5 6

1
1

Players must dribble across and outside of the area using 4 groups of players. the players must dribble to the cone
The obstacle of their choice. 1 – through cones And then perform a turn of their choice. The coach should
2 – skill on coach. 3 – turn in gate. 4 – slalom poles/cones Show some examples but allow the players freedom of
Players must choose a different obstacle on each turn Choice on the turn they use.

7 8

4 groups of players. the players must dribble to the cone Players dribble around the zig zag course performing
And then perform a skill before joining the next group. The Various skills with both feet. 1 – best foot. 2 – weak foot
Players perform 4 repetitions going to the right then four to 3 – alternate feet. 4 – step over at cones. 5 – sole drags
the left. (e.g. right foot step over and join group on left) At cones. 6 – drag back and flick behind leg at cones

9 10

Each player has a ball and cone (imaginary defender). Continuous passing & communicating. The players have a
The players must complete various skills of their choice choice of the centre player or coaches. When passing to
In order to get ½ yard and dribble into space. the centre player you call “turn” and take their place. When
(step over, drop shoulders etc) Passing to the coaches you call “one/two” or “overlap”
 “1v1 practices can be used with players of all ages and abilities. Within your
squad of players there will be lots of different styles, some players will be
strong, others fast, or skillful, slow or direct etc. This enables great
opportunities for each individual to experience playing 1v1 against different
types of player. Its worth remembering that the very best attackers don’t
always get past their opponent. Likewise, the best defenders do not always
stop the attacker. Therefore 1v1 practices are crucial to any coach”

1 2

Two teams. One keeper. The teams take turns to dribble

The defender passes to the attacker and then races to
and attack one v one. After attacking you must quickly
defend. The attacker must use disguise and then
react and defend against the next player. The first team to
Attempt to dribble through one of the side gates
five goals is the winner

3 4

The first player runs out and calls the attacker of their
The defender passes to the attacker and then races to
choice. The attacker dribbles onto the pitch and a 1v1
defend. The attacker must use disguise and attempt to
game commences. After this game the attacker
Pass into one of the target goals
and defender rotate positions
 5 6

Attacker v defender. The attacker must use disguise in

The teams attack one goal and defend the other goal.
their movement and then run to receive a pass from
This practice is continuous attack and then defend. The
the server. The attacker is allowed 2 touches to score.
First team to five goals is the winner.
Can the defender stop him?

7 8

Continuous 1v1 game. The attacker chooses which goal to 10 x 10yd area with one defender. The attackers take
attack. If the attacker scores a goal then they return to turns in trying to dribble across the area and out the
collect a 2nd ball and attack a different goal. If the opposite side. If the defender wins the ball or forces the
defender stops the attacker scoring, the roles are reversed attacker out of the sides, then the roles are reversed

9 10

Player A passes the ball out to Player B and runs to The attacker starts in the middle of the pitch. The keeper
defend 1v1. once this ball is complete, the coach passes throws a ball out to the attacker and then calls a number.
A 2nd ball to Player A, now Player C runs out to stop The defender called runs and tries to stop the attacker
Player A from turning to shoot at goal. scoring. The defender becomes the attacker for next game
 “The aim of football is simple, in possession, you must try to score a goal. In
defence, you must protect your goal. Therefore adequate time must be
spent on attacking and defending the goals. In addition overload situations
occur each time possession is won and lost. Working on defending and
attacking with a numbers up situation will improve confidence and success
in these areas”
1 2

A – dribbles and shoots at goal A – dribbles and shoots

B – plays a one/two with A and shoots at goal B – dribbles and plays 1v1 against A
C – dribbles and plays 1v1 against B C – dribbles and plays 2v1 with A against B

3 4

A – dribbles and shoots The middle player has the ball and makes a pass to the
B – plays one/two with A and shoots team mate of their choice. The other player must react
C – Passes to A and B who combine. Player C makes and defend 2v1 against the passer and their team mate.
a 3rd man run and receive a through pass to shoot or cross The defender becomes the middle player for the next game
5 6

This game is continuous 2v1 in attack and 2v1 in defence. Three teams of three players. when defending one player
One team work in pairs whilst the other team work as Drops out of the game. the middle team attack 3v2, if
individuals. Can the 2 players make use of their extra They score then they collect a 2nd ball and attack the
Player in attack and defence? Opposite end. If they don’t score the roles are reversed

7 8

2 teams. The first player dribbles and shoots at goal.

The first attacker passes to his team mate and then makes
Two players come in to make 2v1. Then two team mates
an overlapping run. The defender runs out to defend. The
make 3v2. This continues until all players are in the pitch
game continues until the ball leaves the pitch
And all balls have been played.

9 10

Three teams of three players. when defending one player Three teams of 4 players. one team defend. The other
drops back as the keeper. The middle team attack 3v2, if teams take turns to attack 4v2. if your team score then
they score, then they collect a 2nd ball and attack the you stay on the pitch for another ball. if you miss then the
opposite end. If they don’t score the roles are reversed other team come into the game. play for 5mins and rotate
 “In every session adequate time should be allocated to just playing
the game. This gives the players freedom from coaching and allows
them to express themselves, learn through playing and try any new
techniques learnt in the session. The coach is needed for the initial
set up of the game and then to serve balls into the pitch. The rules
of the game should send the players down a certain learning path
without the need for too much communication”
1 2

Possession game. The coach passes into one team. One

defender from the opposition must go to defend 4v1. if Two teams. The aim of this game is to dribble the ball
the passers do well then another defender goes to make into your opponents end zone in order to score a goal
4v2. if the defenders win the ball, the game switches zones

3 4

The aim of this game is to attack three gates and defend

Two teams. The aim of this game is to defend two small
three gates. The players score a goal by dribbling the
goals and attack two small goals. The players score by
ball into one of the three goals. Encourage quick passing
passing the ball into the goals
and switching of play in order to dribble into space
5 6

One team defend the big goal and try to score in the two This game is called ultimate 4v4 and enables the coach
Target goals. The other team defend the target goals and To play each of the previous 5 games in addition to a
Try to score in the big goal. The roles are reversed after normal two goal game. the coach should call the games
A set time period out randomly and watch the teams react to the new rules

7 8

3 teams of four players and 3 keepers. The teams attack 2 teams of players. one team starts with 2 balls. The other
the goal they are facing and then immediately react to team start with one ball. The coaches whistle starts the
defend their own goal. The game works like a continuous game. The teams must decide who attacks & defends. The
carousel with teams attacking, defending then resting coach plays additional balls into the game to keep It going

9 10

Two teams of players. A number of gates laid out across One team continuously attack. One team defend the mini
the pitch. Game 1 – score by dribbling through gates goals. Game starts with lots of 1v1’s but as balls decrease
Game 2 – score by passing. Game 3 – one team dribble It becomes a random of 1v1,2v1,3v3,2v2 etc. once all balls
one team pass. game 4 – choice of dribble or pass have been played, count the goals and then reverse roles
 “Goalkeepers should spend time in each practice working on the
individual techniques of diving, handling, footwork and distribution.
Goalkeepers need individual work away from the rest of the group to
develop understanding and technique in these areas. Coaches
should avoid the poor practice of one keeper being sent in goal to
save shot after shot without rest or adequate individual training”

1 2

Four different colour cones make a square. The coach

The keeper must dive and place hands on the ball to the
calls out a colour and the keeper must quickly move
side of him. Quickly the keeper gets up and reacts
to the colour called and then return to the centre to
to the coaches shot. The keeper must work both sides
save a shot. The keeper must always face the ball

3 4

The keeper stands in the middle of the square. The coach Cones are placed on and around the 6 yard box. The
calls out the player to shoot. The keeper must save the coach shoots balls at the goal and the keeper attempts
shot and then roll the ball back to the shooter. The to save the shots whilst reacting to any deflections
Keeper then reacts to the next shooter from the cones
5 6

The keeper must catch balls from the first server. On The coach passes a ball towards the gate. The keeper
the 2nd servers call, the keeper must react and save must run and pick up the rolling ball before it goes
The servers shot through the gate

7 8

The keeper passes the ball to the attacker and then

The keeper must side step between the cones and
must stop him making it to the shaded area of the alley.
Dive to the left or right to save the ball. A progression to
The keeper can do this by diving to save the ball or
This can be the coach rolling the balls to each side
forcing the attacker outside of the alley

9 10

The keeper must side step though the cones and then
The keeper makes a save from the coaches serve and
save a shot from the coach. The coach can shoot at
then must react to the coaches call of a colour. The
anytime which will force the keeper to save the ball
Keeper then throws the balls through the coloured gate
whilst on the move