They can't listen for more than 30 seconds
Eyes wander, someone starts a game, and you lose them halfway through the explanation
Why it happens
- At this age, 30 seconds of listening is normal, not naughty.
- Long explanations lose them. They learn by doing.
- Standing in the sun, the wind or the cold makes it harder.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Three things, then go.”
- Show it, don't explain it.
- “Freeze! Eyes on me.” Then keep it short.
✗ Not this
- Long speeches in the middle of the pitch.
- “Nobody plays until you all listen.”
- Explaining every rule before anyone touches a ball.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Traffic lights
How it works
- Players jog around a square with a ball.
- The coach calls “green” (jog), “amber” (walk) or “red” (stop and hold the ball still).
- Add more calls once they've got it: “purple” (pass to the nearest player), “blue” (put the ball down and touch your toes).
Coaching points
- It's a game, but it practises your stop signal.
- Use the same stop call you use in every session.
- Reward the fastest stops.
Ready for the next level when: Every player stops on “red” within a second.
Coach says
How it works
- Like “Simon says”. Players only follow an instruction if it starts with “Coach says”.
- Use rugby moves: “Coach says hands up for a catch”, “Coach says ball in two hands”, “Coach says get low”.
- Anyone who moves without “Coach says” does 3 ball taps, then carries on. Nobody is out.
Coaching points
- Short, sharp instructions.
- Nobody sits out. Keep everyone playing.
- Finish with the stop signal you use in sessions.
Ready for the next level when: Players respond to calls quickly and stay focused for the whole game.
Colour gates
How it works
- The player runs forward with the ball.
- Partway through the run, the coach shouts a colour.
- The player has to scan, pick the gate and go through it at full pace.
Coaching points
- Call later and later as they improve.
- Eyes up, not on the ball.
- Later on, swap colours for a defender who moves to block a gate.
Ready for the next level when: Players hit the right gate quickly, even with a late call.
Coach calls the defenders
How it works
- Three attackers start with the ball.
- As they set off, the coach shouts a number. That many defenders join in.
- Defenders use a two-handed touch, not a tackle.
- Attackers must read what's in front of them: overlap, even numbers or outnumbered.
Coaching points
- Scan before you get the ball.
- Overlap? Use it. Even numbers? Find a gap or hold on.
- Keep reps short, about 10 seconds.
Ready for the next level when: Attackers change plan straight away when they see the numbers.
Short instructions that stick
- Gather them close, with the sun behind them, not in their eyes.
- Balls on the ground while you talk.
- Three things, then go. Show it, don't explain it.
- Use the same stop signal every session and practise it as a game.
Common coaching mistakes
- Long explanations before anyone touches a ball.
- Talking while players are facing the sun or holding a ball.
- Punishing the whole group for one or two players.
- No clear stop signal, so every stop takes a minute.