Look, receive, choose
10 minutes · U9 starting lens · 3–5 players per station
S starts at the near end, A centrally, and D two yards beyond A toward the two far gates. A must use information about D rather than a shouted color.
A/B/C = attackers · D = defender · S = server · N = neutral · white dot = ball. Leave clear space between stations. Schematic, not to scale.Set up
S starts at the near end, A centrally, and D two yards beyond A toward the two far gates. A must use information about D rather than a shouted color. Mark four corners and two two-yard gates on the far end using four more cones. Keep spare balls outside the near sideline.
Space: 10 × 12 yards per station; leave 3 yards between stations
Equipment: 2 balls per station (one spare) · 8 flat cones per station · Optional bibs; use agreed team/role names if unavailable
- Start
- S passes when A is ready. D moves toward either exit as the pass starts. Begin with D holding that route without tackling.
- Score
- A scores by dribbling through the available gate. Under live pressure, D counters by winning the ball and crossing the near end.
- Reset & rotate
- S restarts after a score or ball out. After each attempt, the server becomes A, A becomes D, and D joins the back of the server queue. A fourth or fifth player starts in that queue; the next server waits until everyone is ready.
Rounds: Show and try 1:00 · Play 1 1:53 · Rotate, drink, reset 0:20 · Play 2 1:53 · Rotate, drink, reset 0:20 · Play 3 1:52 · Rotate, drink, reset 0:20 · Play 4 1:52 · Notice and move on 0:30
One cue: Find the picture before the pass
If it breaks down: A looks only at S: freeze the starting picture briefly and ask A to point to both exits before repeating.
Entry version: D chooses a route earlier and stays there. A may stop the ball and look again.
Safety: Check the surface and clearance around the grid. No pushing, holding, slide tackles, or challenges from behind. Begin with no-contact route blocking; allow clean ball-winning pressure only when players can control the approach. Stop play before retrieving a ball from another station.