In this session, filmed at the end of the 2024/25 season, Luton Town foundation-phase lead coach Jack Ainsworth takes a group of Under-9 players through a series of practices designed to train their ability to play forward quickly and capitalise on overloads.

The session begins with a player-organised warm-up game of football-tennis. Ainsworth then takes them through three practices. The first is a ball-mastery practice that works on the ability to manipulate the ball to get beyond a defender in a 1v1, or to share the ball in a 2v1. The second practice is an attacking wave game that works on 2v1s and 3v2s, with opportunities to incorporate the ball manipulation from practice one, plus work on finishing. Finally, the session ends with a conditioned 7v7, which provides opportunities to counter-attack and take advantage of overloads, including decisions on whether to dribble or pass forward.

It is a fun and focused session, driven by a coach who expertly engages and educates his young players. In particular it focuses on the “look up” phase, which is part of the Luton academy’s positive-transition training programme, alongside “keep up” and “build up”. We hope you enjoy it!

Please also click below to access an accompanying session plan in PDF form.