Soccer How-TosSmall-Sided Games

1 v 1 to Small Goal

/ 1 v 1 to Two Goals
  • Goal in a grid, players may circle the goal; Play for 1-2 minutes
  • Defensive responsibility is to get “Goal Side” between attacker and goal
  • Offensive responsibility is to shield the ball, make an angle and accelerate past the defender – “Attack the goal”
/
  • Play at top speed for 1-2 minutes. No goalkeepers, small cone goals
  • Teams of three, rotating roles
  • A1 plays against B1 – encourage shooting
  • A2 & B2 act as servers, rolling balls to teammates from end line
  • A3 & B3 chase balls – keep game moving

1 v 1 to Goal / 1 v 1 - Midfield Server
  • Start with defender back-peddling – NOT stealing the ball
  • Next, have both players go 100%
  • If defender steals the ball, she passes to the next offensive player – on touchline
  • Practice on both wings and middle of the field
/
  • X is Attacker, O is Defender; O marks X
  • X must move to create space, at times with her back to the goal
  • Server (S) passes to X
  • X will either turn and attack defender, or pass back to server and try to get open again
  • X should make diagonal runs back for the ball, at a 45 angles to make space
O
X

S
4 v 1 in a Grid / 3 v 1 in a Grid
  • Keep away in a small area – 10 by 10
  • Start with defender walking, then half speed, then full speed
  • Ball MUST stay in the grid! – Control the ball!
  • Pass to “live” players – avoid passing to “dead” space
/
  • More movement than 4 v 1
  • Player making pass supports the pass
  • Player not receiving pass must quickly move through dead space
  • Emphasize proper supporting distances and proper angles.

Line Soccer – 1 v 1 / Line Soccer - Diagram
  • Setup two parallel lines of cones – 10-20 yards apart, cones every 4-6 feet
  • Girls lineup on each line – each between a set of cones – their “goals”
  • Number girls in the line 1 to 5
  • Coach calls a number and serves the ball
  • The two called players go 1 v 1; remaining players defend their goals
  • Player MUST make one back-pass to her “team” before taking a shot
  • Goals are scored on defended mini-goals only – shots below the knee
Options:
  • Add end goals, players can score on sides or ends!
  • Call two numbers for 2 v 2
  • End goals only. Players run around perimeter, around goal and then attack the ball
  • Serve balls in the air!
/

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Soccer How-TosSmall-Sided Games

2 v 2 to Two Lines & 2 v 2 to Two Goals

/ 4 v 4 to Goal – Across Zones
2 v 2 to Two Lines
  • Pairs of players on field 20 yards long by 15 yards wide; one ball
  • Object is to dribble the ball across the opposite end line
  • If one team succeeds, they step on ball and leave it for other team
2 v 2 to Two Goals
  • Add small goals on each end line with cones 2-3 yards apart
  • Now players should at every chance
  • Restart by scored-on team dribbling out of own end
/
  • Set up 4 zones from one end of field (Zone 4) towards goal (Zone 1)
  • Assign Defenders to each Zone: 2 in Zone 3, 1 each in Zones 2 and 1
  • Attackers begin in Zone 4. Each attacker has a ball
  • Attackers must dribble through zones 3 and 2 before being able to shoot in Zone 1
  • Defenders can only defend in their assigned zone

  • Emphasize:
    Pressure & Cover,
    Don’t collapse on defense

3 v 3 / 4 v 4
  • Field is 30 yards long by 20 yards wide; cone goals – 4 yards wide
  • Restarts by kick-in or throw-in from side lines; regular goal & corner kicks
  • With or without Keepers (adjust goals accordingly)
  • Options:
  • Free play – regular 3 on 3 game
  • No passing in attack zone
  • No passing at all! – promotes aggression for the ball
  • Silent team – only one team can talk!
/
  • Field is about 40 x 20 yards, cone goals – 4-8 yards wide
  • With or without Keepers (adjust goals accordingly)
  • Kickoff from midfield – after goal, kick-in from back line
  • No throw-ins, kick-ins instead; regular goal & corner kicks
  • Emphasize diamond shape
  • Option: Shadow Defense – no stealing or tackling, just pressure

Team Game to Emphasis Passing / 1 v 1
  • Players on the sidelines are passers, cannot go into the field
  • Must make two passes before you are able to score
  • 5 passes equals two goals
  • Must keep ball below knee height
  • Use all the field area – pass backwards, sideways, forward
/
  • Dribbling: each player has a ball; confined space – grid or center circle
  • Dribble into the open space, avoid other players while staying in grid
  • Coach becomes a defender – moves through the grid stealing any loose balls
  • Players must shield the ball from each other. If a player finds a loose ball, they can kick it out of the grid. If a player dribbles out of the grid, they are out. Last player in the grid wins.
  • Time two defenders, see how long it takes to knock all balls out of grid. Have a competition to find the quickest defenders
  • Using a grid, spread team on the different sides and keep two defenders inside the grid. One at a time, call for each side to dribble across the grid to reach the other side. The defenders try to steal balls as players make their way across the grid.
  • Shield in pairs – One player tries to shield the ball from his partner while staying inside the grid. To start, the defender cannot tackle from behind – must run around the front and steal.
  • Dribbling at speed with fakes
  1. Each player on their own across the field
  2. With a defender back peddling, but not stealing
  3. With a defender trying to steal the ball

2 v1 Movement
  1. X2 checks in or out to crate space from O
  2. X2 runs in front of the defender into the space to receive the ball
  3. X2 runs behind the defender to receive the ball in the space
  4. X1 takes O in one direction and X2 runs behind him/her with the ball into the space he/she created
  5. X1 shields the ball from O, X2 runs in the other direction, receives the ball from X1 as they cross, and moves into the space ceated

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