Mini World Cup

Maximum touches, 1v1 duels and finishing in a real game, with the emotional rollercoaster of tournament football — winning, losing and going again.

Mark a 25x20 yard show pitch with a mini goal at each end. Split players into teams of 2 (or 3) and let each team pick a country. Spare balls behind each goal for fast restarts.

1. Two countries play on the show pitch; the others watch from the side as the 'crowd' practising skills with a ball each.
2. Games last 2 minutes or first to 2 goals — winner stays on, loser joins the crowd.
3. If the game is 0-0 at time, next goal wins (golden goal).
4. Waiting teams announce themselves like a stadium announcer when they run on.
5. Track wins through the rounds — most wins lifts the Mini World Cup at the end.

• Be brave — try the skill move you practised today.
• Shoot when you see the goal — don't wait for perfect.
• After you lose the ball, win it back straight away.
• Talk to your teammate — names and 'pass!' or 'shoot!'

• Waiting teams stand cold and switch off — give the crowd a ball each and a skills challenge between games.
• One strong player takes every touch — use the all-must-touch progression to share the ball.
• Coaches referee every tiny contact — let the game flow; U7–U9s sort most things themselves.

• Goals scored with the weak foot count double.
• A goal only counts after every player on the team has touched the ball.
• Run two pitches at once so nobody waits more than one game.

• Bigger goals and no goalkeepers to make scoring easy.
• Coach plays as an everywhere-helper for the losing team.
• First to 1 goal so games turn over quickly.

• Kick-ins instead of throw-ins; every restart is from the floor and must be a pass or dribble.