Playing out from the back

Objectives — what the players will do

1. 1Keep the ball calmly near our own goal instead of booting it
2. 2Spread out big — wide, wide, deep — when we start with the ball
3. 3Dribble or pass out of our end under control

Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives

Backyard Starts

4v4 free play with one twist: every restart begins with the ball controlled at the team's own end line — our "backyard." Just watch: who is brave with the ball back there, and who boots it away in a panic?

Practice — the one taught activity of the night

Escape Our Backyard

Attackers start with the ball at their own end line; one or two defenders start way up at halfway. Score a point by dribbling or passing past halfway with the ball under control. Spread out HUGE before you start: wide, wide, deep. Play in waves so everyone attacks lots.

Play 2 — always finish playing the real game

4v4 — Brave Builder Goals

Goals that start with a calm dribble or pass out of the team's own half count DOUBLE. The loudest cheer of the night goes to brave tries near our own goal — even the ones that go wrong.

Key coaching points — in your own words

• ·Being brave near our goal is BRILLIANT — never boot it and hope.
• ·Spread out huge: wide, wide, deep.
• ·Little touch, look up, off we go.
• ·Losing the ball while being brave is NEVER in trouble here.