50 small sided games v1

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SMALL SIDED
GAMES
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
VOLUME 1
Created
in association with:
Football Fans Census

Created
50 Small Sided Games provides the reader with a range of educational
modified versions of association football that can be performed both
indoor and outdoor to good effect.
The games are structured to ensure that players learn the basic principles
of defence and attack, and can be manipulated to focus on key
techniques such as control, passing, dribbling, running with the ball,
heading and shooting.
You will find that the practices are very attractive in appearance, contain
simple instructions of how to get each practice started, contain useful
tips on how to make things easier or more difficult and are full of advice
about what to look for.
The practices have been designed to meet the requirements of the
National Curriculum (UK) Key stages of development for Invasion games.
Practices have therefore been divided into 3 distinct categories for
simple use:
1. Sending & Receiving
2. Traveling
3. Striking & Fielding
OverviewOverview
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
VOLUME 1
Published by Football Fans Census. For further details please contact
tim@footballfanscensus.com
©2006. Material in this publication is owned by the publisher Football Fans Census or its content supplier DataCoach USA, Inc.
Soccer UK, DataCoach, the DataCoach logo, Football Fans Census, the Football Fans Census logo, Soccer UK, and the Soccer
UK logo are trademarks or registered trademarks. All rights reserved.

Created
50 Small Sided Games is an invaluable tool for any youth team coach, teacher, or football player.
This easy-to-use PlayBook has 50 ready-to-use fun drills and practices for passing, receiving, traveling
with the ball, and striking.
This PlayBook should be used as an integral aid for all youth football coaches and teacher lesson
planning, or for players wishing to develop their own understanding of the game.
The drills are fully compatible with the leading DataCoach™ Manager Software allowing coaches and
teachers to communicate visually and set up, save, print, or email training sessions quickly and simply.
For more details visit www.datacoach.net
About The Authors
Soccer UK is an organisation set up by professional coaches to provide consultation
and services to all levels of football in both the U.K. and U.S.
Services include:
• Sport Science support • Resources – Coaching Books and DVDs
• Camps (including individual • Equipment
and team instruction) • Player development programs
Who are Soccer UK?
Damian Roden
Damian is the ﬁrst team ﬁtness coach for English Premier league team Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
He is a UEFA "Pro" licence holder and possesses a Masters degree (MSc) in Sports Science.
Richard Donnelly
Richard is a lecturer of Sports Science and is responsible for football development at his college. He
is completing his UEFA "A" licence and has a Masters degree in Sports Science. He is a Scout and
Development Coach for Manchester United Football Club.
James Hunter
James has a BSc in Sports Management as well as being a UEFA "Pro" licence holder. He is a Coaching
Development Manager for the Welsh Football Association where he delivers coach education courses
including the UEFA “A” and Professional licences.
Kevin Thelwell BSc (with honors)
Kevin is the former Director of Coach Education for the Welsh Football Association. He is currently the
Academy Director for English Championship club Derby County. He is also a UEFA "Pro" licence holder.
IntroductionIntroduction
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
VOLUME 1

Created
CopyrightCopyright
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
VOLUME 1
The owner of this copy of the publication may use information in the
ways described in this legal notice:
• you may download or print up to 12 copies of the copyright coaching
material for training a team or teaching a class purposes;
• you must not change any of the PDF material or remove any part of
any copyright notice;
• no information contained in this publication may be used for commercial
purposes, unless the publisher has given its prior written permission.
©2006 Copyright of the material in this publication is owned by the publisher Football Fans
Central Limited or its content suppliers DataCoach USA. Inc, Soccer UK.
DataCoach, the DataCoach logo, Football Fans Census, the Football Fans Census logo,
Soccer UK and Soccer UK logo are trademarks or registered trademarks. All rights reserved.

Created
Sending & Receiving
• 3 Goals And 3 Teams Of 3
• 3 Goals Game
• 4 Corners Game (Passing)
• 4 Goals And 4 Teams
• 4 vs. 4 + 4
• 5 vs. 5 vs. 5
• All-2-1
• Any Goal Counts
• Build Up
• Build Up Again
• Centre Circle Tennis
• End Zone (Passing)
• Match With Support
• Outside-In
• Outside Players 2
• Overload
• "Rest Your Teammate" Keep Ball
• Small Goals Game
• Split The Defenders
• Throw, Head, Catch
• Under Pressure
• Wall Pass
• Zone Ball
Traveling
• 3 Zone Game (Dribbling)
• 6 vs. 6 Possession And Set Up
Game
Traveling (cont.)
• Dribble And Score
• Lineball
• Man 4 Man
• Overlap
• "Overload" Breakaway
• Running Counter Attack
• Unopposed Flank Play
Striking & Fielding
• 1 vs. 1 Winner Stays On
• 3 Zone Game (Passing)
• 4 Goal Timed Heading
• 6 Goals Game
• 6 vs. 6 Multiball
• All In One Half To Score
• Counter Attack 1
• End Line Target Player
• Head For Goal
• Overload Finishing
• Penalty Area Urgency
• Shoot To Goalie
• Switch
• Target Ball
• Target Man
• Turnaround
• Volley, Catch, Volley
• Zone Shooting
Table Of ContentsTable Of Contents
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
SMALL SIDED
GAMES
VOLUME 1

LAYOUT
COACHING
POINTS
In association with:
©2006 Copyright Football Fans Central Limited,
DataCoach USA. Inc, Soccer UK. All Rights reserved.
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3 GOALS AND
3 TEAMS OF 3
GAME ORGANISATION
Game is played in a 30 x 30 metre area
3 goals are placed anywhere in the area (teams decide this)
Goals are 3 metres wide
Normal game rules apply except to score a team must maintain possession of the ball and
pass the ball through their own goal to a teammate
Game restarts in the middle of the pitch
GAME ALTERATIONS
To make the game easier:
Players can score in any goal
To make the game more difﬁcult:
Goals are scored with a 1-2 through the goal
COACHES HINTS
Do the players move into space to create options for the passer?
Do the players display urgency and attempt to switch play?
Do the players use fakes and moves to get away from the opposition?
3 GOALS AND
3 TEAMS OF 3
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3 GOALS GAME
GAME ORGANISATION
The coach organises the group into 2 teams with 1 goalkeeper in each of the 3 goals
Both teams attempt to score in any of the 3 goals
If a goal is scored, that team retains possession from any of the other 2 goalkeepers on
coaches command
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players are restricted to a speciﬁed zone
Team must make 8 passes before scoring or limit touches to 2-touch
COACHES HINTS
Do the players identify and attack space?
Do the players attempt to switch play quickly when regaining possession to score a goal?
Do the players recover in numbers when possession is lost to prevent a counter attack?
3 GOALS GAME
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4 CORNERS
GAMES (PASSING)
GAME ORGANISATION
The coach organises the group into 2 equal teams
Both teams attack and defend 2 corners
To score, players must pass to a teammate in any of the 2 corners they are attacking
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can score in any corner
Players can only score in a corner that they have not scored in until all 4 corners
have been entered
COACHES HINTS
Do the players recognize when it is appropriate to switch play?
Do the players who have passed the ball attempt to take up new positions to help
teammates?
Do the players defend by forcing players inside to teammates?
4 CORNERS
GAMES (PASSING)
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4 GOALS AND
4 TEAMS
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organized into 4 teams of 4
Each team is assigned a goal and must defend it while attempting to score in any
of the 3 other goals
Make sure there is a good supply of balls placed next to each goal to keep the
game ﬂowing
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players have unlimited touches
A shot must be struck "ﬁrst time"
COACHES HINTS
Do the players communicate and move into space to create options for the passer?
Do the players consider the weight and angle of their pass to create more chances
for their teammates?
4 GOALS AND
4 TEAMS
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4 vs. 4 + 4
GAME ORGANISATION
The coach organises the group into 2 equal teams: 4 inside the square and 2 outside the
square at each end
To score, players inside the square must pass the ball to outside players at one end then
the opposite end
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players score a goal every 4 passes made
Limit the touches players on the outside can have
COACHES HINTS
Do the players keep the ball moving quickly from one direction to the other?
Do the players on the outside identify who to pass to when receiving the ball?
Do the players defend in numbers to prevent opposition switching the ball quickly?
4 vs. 4 + 4
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5 vs. 5 vs. 5
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organised into 3 equal teams of 5
Each team wears a different colour jersey
Play 10 vs. 5 keep ball
The team that loses possession becomes the defending/chasing team
Teams can score in any goal
GAME ALTERATIONS
Chasing players cannot tackle (only intercept)
Limit the number of touches a player can have when passing (1- or 2-touch)
COACHES HINTS
Are the players balanced before attempting the pass?
Use short and long passes.
5 vs. 5 vs. 5
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ALL-2-1
GAME ORGANISATION
The coach organises the group into 2 teams
Both teams are restricted to 2 touches per player
Players score in normal fashion at each end
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players are restricted to 1 touch
COACHES HINTS
Do the players understand the importance of keeping possession until a scoring
opportunity arrives?
Do the players make the right decision as to when to pass and when to travel
with the ball?
Do the players close opponents down quickly and recover when defending?
ALL-2-1
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ANY GOAL
COUNTS
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organised into 2 equal teams
Each team can score in any goal
When a goal is scored, the game is restarted in the middle of the field
Players from both teams can be positioned anywhere on the field at any time
GAME ALTERATIONS
Reduce the number of players or increase the size of the field
Position goalkeepers in the goals
COACHES HINTS
Can the players tell their teammates where they want the ball passed?
Do the players support their teammates and create options as soon as they have
passed the ball?
Do the players "pass on the move"?
ANY GOAL
COUNTS
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BUILD UP
GAME ORGANISATION
4 corner boxes are set up with 1 player from each team inside
The coach starts the game by passing to the remaining players positioned inside the pitch
Players inside must pass and receive the ball back from any player in a corner box to
"free" them and allow them to enter ﬁeld
The team that frees every player and makes 6 passes wins
GAME ALTERATIONS
A pass from a player in a box cannot be intercepted
Both players in a box enter the pitch after a pass is made
COACHES HINTS
Do the players pass and move into space to receive a return pass?
Do the players keep possession if a pass out to the corner boxes is blocked?
Do the players defend in numbers to prevent passes into players in boxes?
Do the players hunt to win the ball to prevent the ﬁnal 6 passes?
BUILD UP
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BUILD UP
AGAIN
GAME ORGANISATION
1 large square is marked out with 4 small squares inside
Team 1 is positioned inside 1 small square, with Team 2 positioned outside the same square at
the bottom corner
Team 1 attempts to make 4 passes against 1 defender
If successful, Team 1 attempts to make another 4 passes using 2 small squares with 2 additional
defenders entering the squares
If successful, Team 1 attempts to make ﬁnal 4 passes using all 4 small squares with all defenders
entering the squares
GAME ALTERATIONS
Reduce the amount of passes needed and increase the size of the area
Limit the touches each player can have and add more defenders earlier
COACHES HINTS
Do the players keep possession by passing the ball away from defenders?
Do the players pass accurately and with appropriate pace on the ball?
Do the players make full use of the area and recognize when to create space to keep
possession?
Do the players defend in numbers to stop accumulation of passes and space?
BUILD UP
AGAIN
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CENTRE CIRCLE
TENNIS
GAME ORGANISATION
Teams of 5 are placed in each half of the center circle
The ball is served by 1 team from outside the center circle and across the half way
line into their opponents half
The receiving team can allow the ball to bounce only once
The receiving team tries to keep the ball up and return it over the half way line into their
opponents semi circle
If the ball bounces twice, a point is scored by the opposite team
The team winning the point serves
GAME ALTERATIONS
Unlimited bounces in each half of the semi circle
No bounces allowed
COACHES HINTS
Do the players move quickly to get in line with the ball?
Do the players use a range of body parts to return the ball? (can not use their hands)
Are the players balanced before attack?
CENTRE CIRCLE
TENNIS
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END ZONE
(PASSING)
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organized into 2 equal teams with an end zone at both ends
Players attack and defend one end and score by passing the ball to any player in the end zone
GAME ALTERATIONS
Introduce a "ﬂoating player" who can play for both teams to form 6 vs. 4
Players must have at least 2 touches
COACHES HINTS
Do the players move the ball quickly and accurately?
Do the players control the ball into space away from opposition?
Do the players defend in numbers and force the ball into other defenders?
Do the players pressure the ball at all times to prevent opposition passing into space?
END ZONE
(PASSING)
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MATCH WITH
SUPPORT
GAME ORGANISATION
Half of the team plays normal football whilst the other half surrounds the outside of the pitch
The players on the outside play for their team when they are in possession but must hold
their positions
Switch roles after a set period
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players on the outside can't be tackled
Players on the outside can only have limited touches
COACHES HINTS
Do the players use the outside players well to create an overload situation?
Do the players control the ball in the direction in which they next want to pass?
Do the players who have passed the ball attempt to take up new positions to help
teammates?
MATCH WITH
SUPPORT
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OUTSIDE - IN
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are split into equal teams of 5
4 players from each team line up outside the playing area
1 vs. 1 in the central area
Central players try to maintain possession and attempt to play a 1-2 (wall pass) with their
teammates on the outside
If the wall pass is successful, they join their teammate in the central area
First team to get all outside players into the central area wins
Players on the outside can move up and down the line but cannot enter the area or tackle
another outside player making a wall pass
GAME ALTERATIONS
Outside players can join the game as soon as they receive a pass from the central area
The wall pass must be played ﬁrst touch
COACHES HINTS
Do the players communicate and move into space to support their teammates?
Do the players use well weighted passes?
OUTSIDE - IN
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OUTSIDE
PLAYERS 2
GAME ORGANISATION
2 players on each team are positioned either side of the goal that their team are attacking
Players must pass to outside players and receive back before attempting to score
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can score in normal fashion
Players on outside are restricted to 1 touch
COACHES HINTS
Do the players recognize when a direct forward pass is on?
Do the players react and support pass back from outside players before defenders?
Do the players defend by preventing the ball from outside players?
OUTSIDE
PLAYERS 2
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OVERLOAD
GAME ORGANISATION
The pitch is divided into 4 squares
Position 1 team inside a square (attackers), and 1 team outside the square (defenders)
Coach starts the game by passing the ball to the attackers who must attempt to make 6 passes
As soon as the coach passes the ball, 2 defenders enter the square and attempt to win the ball
If attackers make 6 passes, they can then use 2 squares to keep possession, but 2 additional defenders
enter the area
If attackers make another 6 passes, they can use all 4 squares to keep possession, but another 2
defenders can enter the area
The aim of the game is to progress to all 4 squares and make an additional 6 passes
If defenders win possession at any time, teams swap roles
GAME ALTERATIONS
Defenders enter one at a time
Players must make more passes before progressing
COACHES HINTS
Do the players pass to teammates in most amount of space away from defenders to keep possession?
Do the players remain composed under pressure from defenders?
Do the players create space when they are able to use a bigger area?
Do the players defend by working together as units?
OVERLOAD
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"REST YOUR
TEAMMATE"
KEEP BALL
GAME ORGANISATION
1 member of each team enters the center of the opposition's area
Red team starts game by playing keep ball (passing)
Blue player chases with the intention of intercepting the ball
When one team (area) is playing keep ball, their chaser (in oppositions area) rests
If the ball exits the area or the chaser touches the ball the other group starts
Game continues for a designated period of time with the teams stopping and starting accordingly
Teams keep ball as long as possible so their "chasing player" can rest
GAME ALTERATIONS
Make the playing area bigger
Limit the number of touches a player can have when passing (1- or 2-touch)
COACHES HINTS
Do the players switch play when being closed down?
Do the chasers adopt a low and balanced position when closing down?
"REST YOUR
TEAMMATE"
KEEP BALL
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SMALL GOALS
GAME
GAME ORGANISATION
5 sets of cones are organized randomly inside the area
To score, players must pass through cones to a teammate
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can score in any goal unlimited times
Players must attack another goal when they have scored
COACHES HINTS
Do the players recognize where empty goals are?
Do the players who have passed the ball attempt to take up new positions to
help teammates?
Do the players mark their opposing players to prevent them from receiving passes
through goals?
SMALL GOALS
GAME
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SPLIT THE
DEFENDERS
GAME ORGANISATION
2 defenders are placed in the centre of the square and try to intercept the passes
1 player is placed outside each side of the square
Players on the outside pass the ball to any player on the outside
All passes must be through the square
A point is scored every time the ball dissects the two defenders
GAME ALTERATIONS
Defenders cannot run
An extra central player helps the outside players and only a pass from this central player
can dissect the two central defenders
COACHES HINTS
Do the players on the outside move up and down their line to create space and angle to
receive a pass?
Do the players make well-weighted passes?
Do the players display urgency when in possession?
SPLIT THE
DEFENDERS
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THROW,
HEAD, CATCH
GAME ORGANISATION
Players must score with a header
Players can only pass by a throw followed by a header followed by a catch
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can catch and serve to themselves to head the ball
Players must make 2 consecutive headers before catching
COACHES HINTS
Do the players keep their eye on the ball and mouth closed when heading?
Do the players support the player about to head the ball?
Do the defenders position themselves where they can see server and player heading ball?
THROW,
HEAD, CATCH
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UNDER
PRESSURE
GAME ORGANISATION
The coach organises the group into 2 equal teams positioned in a long narrow area
1 ﬂoating player is positioned at the narrow end of the area
To score, players inside the area must keep possession and get the ball from one
end to the other
GAME ALTERATIONS
Add extra ﬂoating players outside the area leaving less players inside
Each team must make 6 passes before attempting to pass outside
COACHES HINTS
Do the players identify where and who to pass to?
Do the players pass and move?
Do the players defend together to prevent passing in tight areas?
UNDER
PRESSURE
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WALL PASS
GAME ORGANISATION
2 metre corner squares are marked out with a player in each
3 vs. 3 game in the center square
Aim of the game is to maintain possession of the ball and attempt to score by passing the
ball to 1 of the corner players
The corner player must make a wall pass to a member of the same team to score a goal
Game restarts with opposition in possession after a goal is scored
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can score by passing to any "corner" player
Teams can only score by passing to designated "corner" players
COACHES HINTS
Do the players move into space to create passing options?
Do the players control the ball into space away from the opposition?
WALL PASS
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ZONE BALL
GAME ORGANISATION
The coach organises the group into 4 teams of 4 players positioned in 4 separate zones
Players in Zone 1 attempt to pass to players in Zone 3
Players in Zone 2 attempt to pass to players in Zone 4
To score, players must pass and receive the ball back from the corresponding team in
each zone
GAME ALTERATIONS
Use 2 balls so players can choose to defend or attack
1 player from each team can enter the zone with the ball
COACHES HINTS
Do the players identify when to keep possession and when to pass forward?
Do the players pass and move?
Do players defend together to prevent passes in between?
ZONE BALL
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3 ZONE GAME
(DRIBBLING)
GAME ORGANISATION
The pitch is split into 3 zones (defensive, middle, and attacking zones)
Teams are overloaded in the defensive/attacking zone (2 defenders vs. 1 attacker) but
equal in the middle zone
Both teams can only score in the attacking zone
Players can only get from 1 zone to the next by dribbling the ball across zones
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can all move from zone to zone, with or without the ball, when their team has
possession
Teams must get from zone to zone after 3 passes inside the zone
COACHES HINTS
Do the players identify and run the ball into space?
Do the players keep the ball close to their feet whilst looking up to identify where
teammates and opponents are positioned?
Do the players channel the ball into own players when defending versus channeling ball
into space for opponents to dribble/run into?
3 ZONE GAME
(DRIBBLING)
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6 vs. 6 POSSESSION
AND SET UP GAME
GAME ORGANISATION
Field is split equally into a central and 2 end zones
A goal is placed on each end line
Teams play keep away and attempt to put 5 passes together
If successful, the 6th pass must be a weighted pass out of the central zone into an end zone
A teammate must time their run so they make a shot before the ball runs out of the zone or
comes to a halt
GAME ALTERATIONS
Make the central zone bigger
Place a goalkeeper in each goal
COACHES HINTS
Do the players support their teammates?
Does the runner time their run?
Are the passes well weighted?
6 vs. 6 POSSESSION
AND SET UP GAME
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DRIBBLE
AND SCORE
GAME ORGANISATION
Game is played in a central 20 x 20 metre area
Goals are situated 15 metres at each side of the square
Players are split into teams of 2
Teams defend the line nearest to their goal
To score, a player must dribble past the defenders and their end line and towards the goal
They must attempt to score within 5 seconds of leaving the central square
After the shot/goal, the coach kicks the ball in to restart the game
GAME ALTERATIONS
Teams must make 5 consecutive passes before dribbling out of the central area
COACHES HINTS
Do players dribble the ball at pace?
Do players make decisive breaks out of the central area?
DRIBBLE
AND SCORE
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LINEBALL
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organized into 2 equal teams
Regular soccer rules except:
Goals are scored by the team stopping the ball on their opponent's end line
Teams prevent the opposition from stopping the ball on their end line
GAME ALTERATIONS
Create a bigger "end zone" where the players can stop the ball
Limit the number of touches any player can have on the ball to 2 or 3 touches
COACHES HINTS
Do the players use fakes and moves to get past the opposition?
Do the players attack space whenever and wherever possible?
Do the players attempt to disguise their pass?
LINEBALL
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MAN 4 MAN
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are allocated an opponent on the opposite team
Each player can only tackle their allocated opponent
Players score by attacking 1 goal and defending 1 goal
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can pass to each other at any time
Players can only pass once they have beaten their opponent
COACHES HINTS
Do the players change speed when they have past their opponent and attack space?
Do the players keep possession if they are not able to beat an opponent?
Do the players defend by closing the ball down quickly and preventing opponents from
building up speed?
Do players recover quickly when an opponent gets past them by taking the quickest
route to the goal?
MAN 4 MAN
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OVERLAP
GAME ORGANISATION
2 channels are marked out on each side of the pitch
Players can run with the ball into the channel or receive a pass in the channel when
their team has possession of the ball
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can stand in the channel at any time
Players have limited touches in the channel
COACHES HINTS
Do the players use the channel effectively to create an overload situation or create
space to receive a pass?
Do the players in the channel make correct decisions to pass quickly or travel with
the ball to gain ground?
Do the players defend by cutting off passes into the channel?
OVERLAP
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"OVERLOAD"
BREAKAWAY
GAME ORGANISATION
Using a half ﬁeld, mark off a 10 x 10 metre area near the half way line
A team of 5 starts playing "keep away" against a team of 3
When the team of 3 touches the ball, they sprint out of the area and collect another ball
This team of 3 joins another 2 attackers that have been waiting for them
The 2 defenders now try and stop the attacking 5 players from scoring
GAME ALTERATIONS
Reduce the number of defenders to 1
Limit the time the attacking players have on the ball (e.g. 10 seconds)
COACHES HINTS
Do the attacking players move at pace (thus not allowing the defenders to become
organized)?
Can the attacking players make runs to "take away" the defenders and create more space
for the attacking team?
"OVERLOAD"
BREAKAWAY
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RUNNING
COUNTER ATTACK
GAME ORGANISATION
The pitch is divided into 10 zones by dividing the ﬁeld into a central zone and an inner
and outer zone in each half
2 players per team are positioned in the central zone and can go into any half
1 player per team is positioned in each remaining zone (pictured) but must stay in their zones
Players score in normal fashion
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can move into any zone
Merge inner and outer zones to form defenders and attackers in the same zone
COACHES HINTS
Do the players attack space at speed whilst maintaining control of the ball?
Do the players whilst traveling with the ball keep their head up to see where defenders are?
Do the players defend by closing space down to prevent attackers from running with the ball?
RUNNING
COUNTER ATTACK
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UNOPPOSED
FLANK PLAY
GAME ORGANIZATION
Regular game rules except 1 player is positioned in each side zone
Any player can pass to them
These "flank" players cannot be tackled and play for which ever team passes to them
If a team passes to them, the "flank" player can run the length of the field and cross the
ball for "their" team to attempt to score
When a goal is scored, the game is restarted from the goalkeeper
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players do not have to score first touch off the cross
Create a scoring zone where only 2 defenders and 2 attackers can enter
COACHES HINTS
Can attacking players tell their teammates (crossing player) where they want the ball
passed/crossed?
Do the players support their teammates and create options as soon as they have passed
the ball?
Are the "flank" players utilized well to get out of trouble?
UNOPPOSED
FLANK PLAY
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1 vs. 1 WINNER
STAYS ON
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organized into 2 teams
Play 1 vs. 1 in a 10 x 15 metre area with goals
Teammates wait outside the area with a ball
When a goal is scored, the losing player exits the ﬁeld
An outside player from the other side brings their ball into the playing area and starts to play
Players can only shoot when within the oppositions half of the ﬁeld
GAME ALTERATIONS
Create 2 small goals on each end line
COACHES HINTS
Can the players make quick decisions and shoot at a good time?
Do the defenders close down their opposite player quickly?
Do the attacking players perform tricks/moves to try and unbalance their opponent?
1 vs. 1 WINNER
STAYS ON
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3 ZONE GAME
(PASSING)
GAME ORGANISATION
The pitch is split into 3 zones (defensive, middle, and attacking)
Teams are overloaded in the defensive/attacking zones (2 defenders vs. 1 attacker) but
equal in the middle zone
Both teams can only score in attacking zone
Players can only get from one zone to the next by passing ball across zones
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players can all move from zone to zone with or without the ball when their team has
possession
Team must get from zone to zone after 3 passes inside zone
COACHES HINTS
Do the players identify players in space?
Do the players pass the ball accurately and with correct weight that allow them to keep
possession?
Do the players close opponents down quickly when defending?
3 ZONE GAME
(PASSING)
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4 GOAL
TIMED HEADING
GAME ORGANISATION
A goal is placed on each side of the square
"Feeders" are placed at each corner with 2 balls each
On command "go" the center player calls for a ball to be thrown in the air towards them
and attempts to score in any goal
Player must move to another feeder to attempt a header
The practice is timed
For every header that misses, 10 seconds is added to their overall time
GAME ALTERATIONS
Make the goals bigger
A goalkeeper is situated in every goal
COACHES HINTS
Do the players move towards the ball?
Do the players use the correct heading technique?
Are the players competitive?
4 GOAL
TIMED HEADING
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6 GOALS
GAME
GAME ORGANISATION
Players attack 3 goals and defend 3 goals
GAME ALTERATIONS
Each team has a 1 ﬂoating player and can play for both teams, therefore overloading the
practice in the favour of the team in possession 7 vs. 5
Limit the amount of touches any player can have on the ball to 2 or 3
COACHES HINTS
Do the players switch play when attacking a crowded goal?
Do the players defend in numbers and force the ball into other players as opposed to
towards other goals?
6 GOALS
GAME
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6 vs. 6
MULTIBALL
GAME ORGANISATION
Each team must score in a pre-determined goal
On the coaches decision, an extra ball is passed into play
Players determine which ball(s) they are going to focus on
When a goal is scored, the game continues until the other ball is either scored or goes
out of play
Players from both teams can be positioned anywhere on the ﬁeld at any time
GAME ALTERATIONS
Introduce 4 corner goals instead of the 2 centre goals
COACHES HINTS
Do the players communicate?
Do the players demonstrate game awareness (especially when the 2nd ball is introduced)?
Do the players support their teammates and create options as soon as they have passed the ball?
6 vs. 6
MULTIBALL
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ALL IN ONE
HALF TO SCORE
GAME ORGANISATION
A half way line is marked out with cones
To score, all players must be attacking in half of the pitch
GAME ALTERATIONS
Goals are doubled if opponents do not get back in own half
COACHES HINTS
Do the players remember to move forward together when attacking?
Do the players attempt to break quickly when regaining possession?
Do the players recover when possession is lost?
ALL IN ONE
HALF TO SCORE
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COUNTER
ATTACK 1
GAME ORGANISATION
1 team is positioned in one half of the pitch with 2 teams in the other half (1 defending,
1 attacking)
A half way zone is marked out with cones
If the attacking team scores, they maintain possession and attack the team in the
opposite half by passing through the central zone
If the defensive team wins possession, they counter attack the team in the opposite half
by passing through central zone
Only the team in possession can enter the central zone
GAME ALTERATIONS
Teams take turns attacking the team in the opposite half
When a goal has been scored, limit the team's amount of passes to attack the team in the
opposite half (through the central zone)
COACHES HINTS
Do the players remember to move forward together when attacking?
Do the players attempt to break quickly when regaining possession or scoring a goal?
Do the players recover when possession is lost to prevent a counter attack?
COUNTER
ATTACK 1
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END LINE
TARGET PLAYER
GAME ORGANISATION
Play in a 30 x 20 metre area with cones designating two halves
3 vs. 2 in each half
A player from each team is placed on an end line
Score by passing from your own half directly to an end-line player
If the defending team manages to get the ball, can they pass to their "back" zone where
their teammates can attempt to pass to their end player?
GAME ALTERATIONS
Create a bigger overload of 4 vs. 2
Teams must make 5 passes before attempting to score
COACHES HINTS
Maintain possession until a pass is on.
END LINE
TARGET PLAYER
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HEAD FOR GOAL
GAME ORGANISATION
A goal is situated at each end
Players move the ball around the ﬁeld by catching and throwing
If the ball is dropped, it is handed over to the opposition
When a player catches the ball they can run 5 steps before having to throw to another
teammate
Score by heading the ball into the goal
GAME ALTERATIONS
Goalkeepers are used
COACHES HINTS
Do the players use the correct heading technique?
HEAD FOR GOAL
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OVERLOAD
FINISHING
GAME ORGANISATION
Field is split into 3 zones with a neutral center zone
Players are organised into 2 equal teams of 4
Each team has 2 players in each end zone (no players in central zone)
To score, a team must pass across the neutral zone to one of their teammates
The player who passes the ball can now join their teammates in their zone to create a
3 vs. 2 overload
Teams can score in any end zone goal
When a goal is scored, the "extra" player retreats into their original zone and the goalkeeper
restarts the game
GAME ALTERATIONS
Reduce the number of players or increase the size of the ﬁeld
COACHES HINTS
Do the players support their teammates and create options as soon as they have passed the ball?
Do the players "pass on the move"?
Do the players support their pass quickly?
OVERLOAD
FINISHING
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PENALTY AREA
URGENCY
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organised into 2 teams of 3
Teams can use 4 lay-off players to pass to in order to maintain possession
Lay-off players cannot score
Teams score in designated goals
GAME ALTERATIONS
Reduce the number of players or increase the size of the area
Reduce the number of lay-off players
COACHES HINTS
Do the players support their teammates and create options as soon as they have passed
the ball?
Do the players play the ball quickly with correct pace and accuracy?
Do the players display urgency?
PENALTY AREA
URGENCY
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SHOOT TO
GOALIE
GAME ORGANISATION
Goals are scored by the team chipping/shooting the ball into the arms of their goalkeeper
Teams prevent the opposition from chipping/shooting the ball to their goalkeeper
GAME ALTERATIONS
Allow the ball to bounce before reaching the goalkeeper
Bring the goalkeeper closer to the ﬁeld of play
Limit the amount of touches any player can have on the ball to 2 or 3
COACHES HINTS
Do the players defend in numbers?
Are the players balanced before attempting the shot/pass?
SHOOT TO
GOALIE
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SWITCH
GAME ORGANISATION
2 players per team are positioned outside the pitch at opposite ends, with the
remainder inside
To score, the players inside the square must pass to 1 outside player and then
to the other without being tackled
Rotate the players that are positioned outside the area
GAME ALTERATIONS
A goal is scored each time a pass to an outside player is made
Limit outside players to 1 touch
COACHES HINTS
Do the players get into a position that will allow them to pass to any outside player?
Do the players move to support a pass into outside player at the right time and at the
right speed?
Do the players defend by preventing a switch into outside players?
SWITCH
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TARGET BALL
GAME ORGANISATION
A zone is marked out at each end of the pitch with balls balancing on cones throughout
the area
To score, players must knock a ball off a cone from outside the end zone by passing
If a player knocks a ball off a cone, they must retrieve both the ball and cone and place
them in their own end zone; thus, creating an overload in favour of the opposing team
GAME ALTERATIONS
A goal can be scored from anywhere
Limit the amount of target balls
COACHES HINTS
Do the players keep possession until a "free" shot is available?
Do the players pass accurately to knock the ball off the cone?
Do the players make use of extra man immediately after goal is scored?
Do the players defend in numbers to prevent a shot?
TARGET BALL
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TARGET MAN
GAME ORGANISATION
Players are organized into 2 equal teams with 1 member of each team in opposite end
zones ("target man")
Players score by passing ball to the "target man" and receiving back without interception
GAME ALTERATIONS
Overload the amount of players in favour of the team in possession in the defensive
half (4 vs. 2 in each half)
Limit the amount of passes each team can have before passing to the "target man"
COACHES HINTS
Do the players pass forward whenever and wherever possible?
Do the players keep possession if the forward pass is blocked?
Do the players defend by stopping the pass into target man?
TARGET MAN
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TURNAROUND
GAME ORGANISATION
2 goals are placed inside the area the wrong way around
To score, players inside the square shoot at any goal
GAME ALTERATIONS
Players score in 1 goal only
Each team must make 6 passes before attempting to score
COACHES HINTS
Do the players keep the ball moving quickly?
Do the players recognize when a scoring opportunity is on?
Do the players defend the goals as soon as possession is lost?
TURNAROUND
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VOLLEY, CATCH,
VOLLEY
GAME ORGANIZATION
Full-size goals are placed on the end lines
Players are split equally into a 7 vs. 7 game
The team in possession can only volley a pass to their teammates (the ball is kicked
from their hands)
When a player has caught the ball, they can run 5 steps before shooting or volleying a pass
If the ball is dropped, the other team gets possession where the ball bounced
Both teams have goalkeepers
GAME ALTERATIONS
Goals can only be scored with a direct volley from a teammate's pass
COACHES HINTS
Do the players use a controlled and correct volley technique?
VOLLEY, CATCH,
VOLLEY
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ZONE
SHOOTING
GAME ORGANISATION
Full-size goals are placed on the end lines
Play 4 defenders against 2 attackers in each half
Players look for shooting opportunities
Teams are awarded 2 points if they score from their own defensive zone
Teams are awarded 1 point for a goal scored within the attacking zone
GAME ALTERATIONS
Award 1 point if the shot is on target
Position goalkeepers in each goal
COACHES HINTS
Do the players play with urgency and keep the ball moving?
Do the players shoot when balanced or do they "snatch" their shot?
Do the players communicate?
ZONE
SHOOTING
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