Gafferbook
Warm-ups ยท U12 to adult

Shadow play (team shape walk-through)

The team moves the ball through its formation with no opposition, rehearsing build-up patterns and positions. A calm pre-match warm-up that switches minds on.

U12 to adultAges
9 to 16Players
Half pitchArea
8 to 10 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Team in its match formation in its own half.
  • Coach with balls at the keeper.

Equipment: Goal, cones, balls

How it works

  1. Keeper starts; team plays through the shape to a finish on goal.
  2. Coach calls 'ball lost!': everyone recovers into shape.
  3. Repeat with different patterns.

Coaching points

  • Correct distances: width and depth.
  • Receive on the half-turn.
  • Talk throughout.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Walk through first

Make it harder

  • Add two passive defenders

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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