Week 9 – Ball Mastery

Module: Master The Ball: 1-11 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-academy-5676/classroom

Session Focus

Linking Skills and Building Fluidity

This week we’re helping players move beyond isolated ball mastery and into flow.

The aim is for players to link skills, dribble with rhythm, and start thinking ahead with their touches. We’re still working in an unopposed-to-opposed model, but the priority is building fluidity: being able to string actions together without stopping or resetting every move.

For 1–6s, this means repetition, recognition, and experimenting. For 7–11s, we begin layering in combinations under light pressure.

Structure & Flow of Session

1. Ball Mastery Warm-Up (10 mins)

Age 1-6: Basic ball manipulation with linked moves Age 7-11: More complex flow patterns with increased tempo

2. Contextual Game Scenario (15 mins)

Age 1-6: Simple linking challenges and games Age 7-11: Combination exercises under light pressure

3. Small Sided Game (15 mins)

Age 1-6: Fun games encouraging linked skills Age 7-11: Conditioned games rewarding fluid ball mastery

Age 1-6: Free play with minimal rules Age 7-11: Small-sided matches with fluidity focus

Why This Structure Works

Repetition + variety = rhythm
Linking skills gives players more autonomy and less reliance on scripted moves
Focus on fluency encourages scanning, timing, and creative execution
Builds a bridge from ball mastery into decision-making

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model