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5 pass game

Playing ..

Split players into 2 even teams (play 4 vs 4 up to 7 vs 7)

Mark a large grid with cones (approximately 40 yards x 30 yards)

A neutral player is placed at each end of the field.

To score a goal, a team must make 5 or more consecutive passes to teammates and then must make the 6th pass to one of the neutral players without the ball being touched by the opposition.

After 5 consecutive passes are completed, the players from that team may pass to either neutral player to score, no need to alternate between neutral players.

A player (team) does not get credit for a pass if the ball is passed back to the player
from which it came. (But they still keep possession and play continues)

Any time a team is dispossessed of the ball before completing 5 passes, the opposition starts at pass #1.
Once the neutral player receives the pass that counts as the goal he/she must pass
the ball first time (one touch pass) to the same team that scored the goal and that
team begins play again at pass #1.

Coaching Points

Players keep their heads up, know where your teammates are and pass to the open player.

Play quickly

Teammates must support the player receiving the pass

A minimum of 2 players give close support options

A minimum of 1 player gives long support

Thus spreading the defenders and opening the field

Players make runs to open space to receive passes

Make quick (change of speed) runs to get open to receive a pass.

(Don’t be a Johnny Jogger) who always jogs the same speed and is easy to defend.

Competition, Variations & Restrictions:

Play games to 5 and losing team does 5 jumping jacks

Restrict players in the grid to 2 touches … if a player touches the ball 3 times
they lose possession of the ball.

Restrict players to 1 touch soccer.

4 square soccer

Number of players: 4v4 (or 5v5 if you use goalkeepers)

Age group: U10 upwards

Set up: divide a 40×30 grid (with a goal at each end) into four quarters using flat cones or lines.

Set up (contd): assign the following positions to the players in both teams: defender, left midfield player, right midfield player and attacker.

Procedure: The defender works in the two squares nearest her goal, the left midfield player must stay in the two squares on the left of the grid, the right mid player works in the two squares on the right of the grid and the attacker plays in the two squares nearest the other teams goal. Otherwise, normal soccer rules apply.

Play to a set number of goals or for a set time. You could also award ‘goals’ for a set number of passes.

Tip: encourage quick shooting and tight defending by not having goalkeepers and making the goals big. The younger the players, the bigger the goal should be.

3v3, one goal

Game Rules

A normal 3-a-side game in an area approximately 30 yards by 20 yards, except that it is played around one goal rather than two.

Emphasize shooting at goal at the earliest opportunity.

Players combine to create goal-scoring opportunity.

Team in the dark uniforms can score only from the left side of the field, and team in white only from the right side.

Re-start game with a throw-in any time the ball goes out of bounds.

When goalkeeper makes a save from one team, he throws the ball into the opposing half of the field.

Player Objectives

To take early shots from within shooting distance of the goal.

To provide support for the player with the ball.

3 team keepaway

Minutes: 10-20

Players: 9-18

Ages: 10-45

Objectives:

Soccer warm-up, team work, ball control, possession, passing

Description:

Make 3 teams (Green-Blue-Red) 4v4v4 or 5v5v5 or 6v6v6 in Square grid about 25 x 25. Vary the size for player numbers and ability. One team starts as the defenders and the other two teams play keepaway. When the defenders win the ball the team colour which was responsible for losing the ball become the defenders. You can give a goal for X number of consecutive passes.

This is an excellent warm up and very good for improving small, quick passes.

It’s also a good drill for improving general ball control, awareness and team work.

I use this on every training as a warm up in a square grid about 20 x 20 meters.

2v1

Game Rules

Have substitute players ready to replace those who are playing.

One team has a single outfield player, the other has two, and both have a goalkeeper.

Several balls should be kept within each goal to keep a ball in play.

Make the goal four yards wide, and create a play area 25 yards by 15 yards.

Encourage both teams to score even though one has a manpower advantage.

When the ball is out of play, start the game at the goal line by the goalkeeper.

Keep score.

Player Objectives

Watch the ball but keep head up to observe opponents and the goal.

Team with two outfield players:

The player in possession has two options – pass the ball or keep it.

Pass to teammate with pace and accuracy, and use teamwork to score.

For the player not in possession, support teammate by being visible.

Team with one outfield player:

Player in possession keeps the ball until the angle to shoot exists, then tries to score.

Manipulate the ball, keeping body between opponents and the ball.

Change pace and direction.

1v1 practices and finishing drills

Coaches often accelerate into small games of 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 etc without spending adequate time on the basic attacking and defending principles.

1v1 practice games are vital to any coach as this situation occurs naturally in any game. Players must feel comfortable dealing with these situations and finding a solution whether they are in attack or defence.

The practices in this journal are designed to be unpredictable, forcing the players to make quick choices / decisions in order to come out on top.

Insights that I would give my players are:

In attack –

• “Try to slow the defender down and then accelerate”
• “All you need is half a yard”
• “Take the defender away from where you want to go, this will give you the space to attack”
• (For example a right footed player would take a defender to the left, before accelerating quickly into the space created on the right)

In defence –
• “Close the space”
• “Show away from danger or towards a team-mate”
• “Force the opponent to play backwards or sideways”
• “Be patient and stay on your feet”
• “If you delay the attacker for 3-5 seconds then you will have given your team mates enough time to recover and support you”

Download 1v1 practices (30 pages of illustrated drills and games)

1v1 Battles

The Game

Play one v one, trying to score through a ‘two-sided’ goal. There is no out-of-bounds. The player in possession of the ball is the attacker, the other player, the defender. Play games of one minute in duration.

Coaching Points

Defenders: steer attacker away from the goal, tackle when ball is exposed, get goal side when possession is lost.

Attackers: try to face the defender whenever possible change speed, change direction; shield the ball when trying to maintain possession.

Twelve goalkeeper coaching games and drills

Soft Catch

Play game in pairs throwing and catching a football. Try to make no sound as the ball hits the hands (almost impossible!)

The heading game 1v1

In 10×5 yard grid, players take it in turn to head ball over opponent’s goal line by pulling ball back and using their own momentum to head the ball. The player who is attempting to stop the ball can use their hands or dive if necessary. They can also advance as far as they like so if they stop ball they are in a better position to score. Then make it competitive and play for 1 minute and then the winner moves up the ladder, the loser moves down. If tied use ‘rock, paper, scissors’ as a tiebreaker. Do 8-10 rotations to establish a championship!

The heading game 2v2

Players are paired up to play 2v2 in a 10×10 grid. One pair has ball and tries to advance down field heading to each other. Once they get near the other teams goal line then one of them can attempt to head it past their line to score. The other team stays on their goal line and attempt to save ball. Once the ball hits the ground or is saved, the two heading retreat to their goal line and the other 2 begin to try to keep the ball in the air and advance up the field to score. Can do as a competitive ladder as above.

American Football

Create a playing field of 15 x 30 yards, but make the last 5 yards of each end an end zone. A touch down is scored by keeping possession and creating an opportunity to dribble into the end zone. If this is done with the ball under control, then a touch down is scored.

Death on the Nile!

20 x 30 grid. 3 teams of 4 players, and 3 balls. Each team get one minute in the middle as goalkeepers (they are the crocodiles in river trying to intercept the ball!) Count the number of interceptions. Other 2 teams have to play the balls across the ‘river’ back and forth.

Introduce calling for the ball, then passing to a teammate on same side to open ‘channels’. Goalkeeping techniques being used include – anticipation, setting position for shot, receiving balls, etc. If ball is intercepted have keeper distribute back to coach on sideline.

Keeper’s Nest

One player (the keeper) guards, but cannot touch the ball. The keeper may stand over the ball. The objective is for the other three players to get to the ball away from the keeper (using hands, feet or either), without being tagged and frozen by the keeper. The keeper’s goal is to freeze the other three players. Once a player is frozen, he can remain frozen until all players are frozen, or until the ball is snatched away by the other players, or until the player counts to 10.

Keeper’s Nest 3v1

Place three cones in a triangle 10 yards apart. One player is inside the triangle as the keeper. The other three try to possess the ball and score goals by moving the keeper out of position and playing through the triangle. If the keeper intercepts the ball, the player who played the ball last becomes the new keeper.

3v3 or 4v4 ‘American Football!’

Play 4v4 but players use their hands to pass. Concentrate on proper hand position under pressure. If a player has the ball in his or her hands then they cannot move their feet. Players cannot grab the ball if it is in a players hands! Instead of making goals for the teams to score in, create an end zone at either end of the small field. A team can score a ‘touch-down’ (6 points) if they pass the ball to a team-mate standing in the end zone. Think up any number of variations for an extra point! Then restrict a player waiting in the end zone to staying in there a maximum of three seconds and then has to get out similar to basketball.

Advance the game by not allowing any player to stand still in the end-zone, or then limit access to the zone to 3 seconds at a time for any player.

Numbers Up

Play with one goalkeeper in a goal. Add pressure – (i.e. 2v 1, v2). Provide a target for the defender if they win the ball. Encourage the players to shoot as quickly as possible, having their body in the correct position. Make sure they show good 1st touch when receiving the ball. 1st touch should be away from pressure. Disguise your shots.

Quick Fire!

Pull one goal all the way up the field to the outer edge of the 18 yard box. Play 5v2 in an area 18×36 yards with two full size goals 18 yards apart. Play for 1 minute at a time, with the 5 having to make 5 passes before shooting. If the defenders steal the ball they go for goal also.

You can add goalkeepers at any time.

Cone Ball!

Can play 4v4v4. Put large cone (or similar) in middle of the field. The three teams play against each other. To score a team simply has to hit the target (the cone). Add a 5 yard exclusion zone around the cone and introduce a goalkeeper to this area. Kids will play this game forever!

Triangular Goals

Create triangular goals (3 flags 2 yards apart in a triangle shape) in the middle of the penalty area. Play 4v4 in penalty box.

One team has 4 attackers, the other 3 keepers and 1 defender. If the ball goes out of the box, or the keepers/defender makes a save, switch. Let each team captain keep scores.

Then go to larger area – 6v6 or 8v8 in between halfway line and edge of 18 yard box. Open goals up to 6 yards wide.

Advance the activity appropriately by asking players to play 3 passes before shooting or chip over goals to teammate! Have to score with a volley or half volley, etc.

Finish with 2 fields of 4v4, with a different method of scoring on each field.

Group 1: Head to score.

Group 2: All 4 have to be in opponents half of field for their goal to count!

Option: Have to go around the back of goal and dribble/pass through cones the opposite way.