Master The Opponent

Module: Master The Opponent: 7-12 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-academy-5676/classroom

TLDR

As players move into 7v7 and 9v9 formats, the game stretches out with more space, time, and pressure. This phase focuses on one thing: can your players win the moment that matters? The goal is to develop players who don’t just react, they take control.

This phase helps players make better decisions when challenged. Can they stay calm under pressure? Can they protect the ball when isolated? Can they beat their opponent or hold their ground? I use three key ideas: Moments (attacking, defending, transitioning), Slices (defensive third, middle third, final third), and Situations (1v1, pressure from behind, space to attack).

Players should be comfortable with basic ball mastery from Phase 1. If they can’t manipulate the ball in space, they won’t succeed under pressure. In this phase, I want players to receive under pressure and stay composed, use disguise to beat defenders, deliver passes with accuracy and timing, attack and defend 1v1 effectively, finish chances under pressure, move off the ball to create space, and win physical duels.

These aren’t isolated techniques but game-connected actions that build on everything developed in Master The Ball. Every concept develops primarily through small-sided games because great players don’t just know what to do, they know when to do it and why it works.

Common coaching mistakes include teaching moves without pressure, focusing on beating players without teaching when NOT to dribble, drilling 1v1s without game context, and correcting every mistake instead of letting players solve problems.

Winning Moments. Beating Players. Protecting the Ball.

As players move into 7v7 and 9v9 formats, the game stretches out. There’s more space, more time, and more pressure. That’s why this phase focuses on one thing:

Can your players win the moment that matters?

Remember, a 7-year-old mastering the opponent looks different from a 12-year-old. Younger players focus on basic pressure recognition and simple decisions. Older players handle complex situations with multiple options. Coach the player, not the age.

This part of the game model gives them the tools to do just that. It teaches players how to succeed when they’re under pressure, facing an opponent, or trying to create an advantage.

The goal is simple: develop players who don’t just react, they take control.

What This Phase Is About

This phase is about helping players make better decisions when they’re challenged.

To support this, we use three key ideas:

Moments

Are we attacking, defending, or transitioning?

Slices

Where are we on the pitch: defensive third, middle third, or final third?

Situations

What’s happening around the player: 1v1, pressure from behind, space to attack?

This gives players and coaches a clear, game-relevant framework for how to play and how to coach.

Foundation Check

Players should be comfortable with basic ball mastery from Phase 1. If they can’t manipulate the ball in space, they won’t succeed under pressure. Don’t rush, build on solid foundations.

What Players Master in This Phase

We want players to:

These aren’t isolated techniques. They’re game-connected actions that build on everything developed in Master The Ball. Now, we’re putting those skills into pressure moments with decisions to make, defenders to beat, and outcomes that matter.

How These Skills Develop

These skills develop through our 4-part session structure:

Every concept here is developed primarily through small-sided games. For example, a 3v3 with mini goals teaches all eight mastery points simultaneously. No lines, no cones, just football with constraints that force players to win their moments.

Because great players don’t just know what to do. They know when to do it and why it works.

What Coaches Get Wrong

Avoid these common mistakes:

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