My three go-to warm-ups

2. CIRCLE GAME

I use this icebreaker during joint training sessions with other clubs, but it is also great for developing communication.

Set up

Groups of six to eight are ideal. Taking a group of eight, have seven of them form a circle and link this together with bibs (each player holding one end of a bib) – they could alternatively hold hands or link arms but I find that bibs work best.

You now have seven in the circle and one player outside of the circle. Give the player outside of the circle a ball.

Objective

Touch a player in the circle on the back with the ball.

Rules

The circle can only move rotate – reinforce this regularly or chaos may ensue.

The target (black arrow above) should be a player on far side of the circle when you start.

Challenges

• Once everyone has had a go at being outside of the circle, you can extend it by having two and then three players out of the circle, allowing them to pass the ball.
• Challenge rules remain the same for those in the circle.
• Outside players can run and pass to each other but the passes cannot go OVER the circle. If anyone falls over or the circle breaks, the ball carrier wins.

3. 10 Pass to Score

Easy to set up, quick to explain and incredibly adaptable to suit skill level.

Set up

Use any space, any shape pitch, and any number of players. Divide players into two teams – it doesn’t have to be even sides.

Rules

You cannot run with the ball, you can run without the ball, and you can pass in any direction. Complete 10 passes to score a point.

To stop players crowding the ball carrier, you can introduce a rule that says: if the ball carrier can touch you with the ball, for example, that player must touch a cone or do a funny dance.

Challenges

1. Overhead pass only.
2. The defence touch the ground after each pass (great for allowing attack to see space).
3. Dropped balls lead to a turnover.
4. You can’t pass to the player that passed to you

• Simplify if needed to five passes to score.