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WORLD CLASS COACHING

For the World’s Most Innovative Soccer Coaches

50 Small-Sided Games
That Make a Difference

50 Small-Sided Games that Teach

the Vital Skills of the Game

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More Small-Sided Games

to Help Train your Team

One of the most important components of a training session is the ‘small-sided game’.
Whether it’s a local youth team, college team or a top professional team, they all use
small-sided games to help their players make the transition from drills and exercises to
real game situations. It’s this transition that translates skills and techniques from practice
into your game on the weekend.

Coaching Soccer through Small-Sided Games contains 101 games that incorporate a
wide range of topics including: Passing and Possession, Shooting, Crossing and Finishing,
Defending, Half Field Games and Full Field Games. Small-sided games are a great way to
focus on these topics in a game-like situation. Another benefit of incorporating small-
sided games into your training sessions is that players enjoy them.
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Introduction

This collection of 50 small-sided games hand picked from the last 10 years of our books magazines and journals. They are taken from training
sessions that have been contributed by some of the worlds top teams and coaches like: Manchester City, AS Cannes, PSV Eindhoven, FC Inter
Milan, Juventus, FC Porto, Chelsea F.C., Newcastle United, Steve McClaren, Howard Wilkinson and many more.

The small-sided games are divided into five catagories: Warm-Ups, Conditioning, Crossing and Finishing, Shooting, Passing and Possession.
From this selection you could create a season’s worth of training sessions focused on games that will help teach the game.

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50 Small-Sided Games

Warm-Up Games

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Warm-Up Games

Four Team Warm-Up

Field size – 50 yards long, and the width of the penalty area. Use a goal
at each end with a goalkeeper in each. The session is based on having 16
to 18 field players and two goalkeepers, but can be modified to just about
any number of players.

Organize your field players into groups of four (with different colored
bibs) with one ball between each group. They begin by passing the ball
with short passes. When either goalkeeper calls your team color, the
player on the ball strikes the ball easily into the goalkeepers arms. The
keeper then throws the ball out to another in the same group and the
passing continues.

Stop every few minutes to stretch dynamically, making sure all muscle
groups are stretched.
[Link]

Continue and move to longer passes, followed by driven strikes, with

more power, but still into the goalkeepers arms.

Team Hand Ball to Goal

The players move the ball by passing it with their hands. They aren’t
allowed to move with the ball in their hands. A goal is scored by
s

throwing the ball to a teammate who heads it into the goal. The other
80 Yard

team is given possession if a pass is dropped or intercepted.

Variation
The players pass the ball by volleying it to a teammate.

50 Yards
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Warm-Up Games

Objective
1. Improve Team’s ball control, passing and quick directional change.
2. Improve space and distance of supporting players.
3. Improve the defensive shape of the back four’s cover and movements.
4. Improve organization in attack.

Warm-Up
The players perform a series of dynamic stretches a five-minute run.

[Link]
Throw - Head - Catch
Players must pass with the head and score goals with the head. Two
teams are divided up to play 10 v 10 on a field 65 x 35-yards. Players
Variations
start the game with a throw then proceed to head-pass or head-shoot
• Players catch the ball and volley to teammate who
to goal. If the ball hits the ground, the team on attack loses possession.
heads the next ball to a teammate to catch.
The defending team now has possession and begins to go in the opposite
• Players must pass the ball to a teammate while in mid-
direction starting with a throw.
air who also must then pass the ball while in the air and
so on.
• Goals can only be scored using headers.

5v2
The trainer leads the players through a series dynamic stretches in a
20-yard area. The movements include: jogging, skipping, shuffling, heels
up, knees up and touch the inside of the feet, and touch the outside of the
feet. The physical warm-up ends with some static stretching.

In the second part of the warm-up, the field players divide into three
groups of seven and play 5 v 2 in 10-yard squares. The game is played
one touch from the beginning. The attackers are encouraged to split the
defenders whenever possible. The are also expected to anticipate the
player who will receive the ball and support him early to allow the speed
of play to be quick.
[Link]

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Warm-Up Games

Hand Ball Warm-Up (10 Minutes)

The players jog and stretch for the first five minutes. The players then
progress to playing a possession game using only their hands. Ten
passes equal a goal. The players are not allowed to move with the ball
in their hands. Players must move off the ball to create passing options.
The players are only allowed to hold the ball for three seconds.

[Link]

Warm-Up Passing and Moving Game

Each team has four players. The Dark Team players each have a ball. They
try to pass the ball to the Yellow Team players who pass it back one-
touch. The Red Team must mark the White Team. s
20 Yard

Coaching Points
• Get tight, prevent passes
• Decision to stay with man or pass him on to another defender
• Communicate
• Rotate 20 Yards

[Link]

Keepaway Game
This time when the coach shouts the player’s number they sprint into the
other teams square and play 4 v 1 (in this case) until the defender wins
the ball.

Whichever of the two numbered players win the ball first get a point for
their team.

[Link]

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Online Session Title

Diagram 8
Postional Warm-Up
Following casual passing and juggling in pairs, all the field
6 Yards

players line up in a 4-3-3 formation and play keep-away with 10

consecutive passes counting as a goal.

Line Game
With the same formation, now play with the “goals” being two
lines set up six yards from each end of the half-field. The objective
6 Yards

is to dribble the ball under control into the “end zone” following a
minimum of four passes. Players are not allowed to pass the ball
over the line and it is a “make it take it” situation, i.e. the team
keeps possession once a goal is scored. Conditions include no lofted
[Link]
[Link]
passes or only one or two touches.

Diagram 19
Possession Exercises 6 v 6 + 6
Play 6 v 6 keep-away in the marked area with the six remaining
“neutral” players on the outside of the field supporting the team in
possession. The aim of the game is for the six players to maintain
possession before playing to one of the neutral players who then
plays a one-touch pass to the perimeter player opposite. The
receiving players’ successfully controlled long pass equals one
point. The neutral team alternates with one of the inside teams
on a time basis.

Coaching Point
The level of passing technique, control, speed of defending and
[Link]
concentration required is extremely high for this drill to succeed.
[Link]
[Link]

Diagram 12

Four Goal Warm Up

Using three quarters or half a field, with four small goals as shown in
diagram 12, three teams play using a rubber ball. The objective of the
warm-up is to develop the speed of thought of the two teams. With the
drill starting slowly, the teams switch after every three goals.

Points
• A rubber ball allows for better quality of touch
• After a time, two balls are introduced to allow more repetitions
• Four goals reinforce the concept of switching play
• The team that is not playing stretch on the sidelines

[Link]

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50 Small-Sided Games

Conditioning

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Conditioning

Sprinting
The exercise has aspects that are focused on the different activities of
each position, Forwards, Defenders and Midfielders. It begins when
Red Light
Player 1, a forward, sprints to the first red light. Player 3, a defender,
tries to beat the forward to the red light. When the forward breaks
Next the beam and the red light turns off, the forward receives a pass from
Red Light Player 2, a midfielder then quickly passes back and sprints to the next
red light that turns on. The defender tries to beat the attacker to the
next light. The midfielder moves with the ball to a spot where he can
pass to the forward again.

[Link]

3v3
Each goalkeeper has a ball while a player from each team races to
the middle. The coach calls a color and that team is given the ball by
their goalkeeper. The team then attacks and tries to score as quickly
as possible. The defending team can score if they get possession but it
must be within the 20-second time limit.

Coaching Points
• The ball is played to the player who is working the hardest to win the
race in the middle
• You have 20 seconds to score so attack quickly and find solutions
quickly
[Link]

6 v 4 + Goalkeeper
Four defenders and a GK defend a goal versus six attackers (two
forwards and four midfielders) on a 75 x 45-yard field. The attacking
group tries to score on the big goal while the GK and defenders try to
win the ball and score by passing to one of two target player standing
near mid-field. This is how high quality GK’s stay so sharp; Training
in small-sided matches with constantly changing stimuli (cues) that
must be processed and reacted on quickly by the GK!!! This is truly
Functional SAQ training for Goalkeepers!!

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Conditioning

1v1
In 10 metre squares, 1 v 1, with 4 players on the outside providing
balls when the ball goes out, to ensure non- stop work for 1 minute.
To keep possession is the aim of the exercise, or to win possession of
the ball if your opponent has it. Repeat for each player, 4 repetitions
each player.

In the same 10 metre squares, 2 v 2, again with 4 players on the

outside providing balls, this time the work is for 2 minutes, with 4
repetitions for each player.

Finally in 30 metre squares, 4 v 4 , this time with balls all around

the pitch, 4 minutes work, repeated 4 times ( this game is man/
man marking). This is very high intensity training, and requires total
concentration and focus.

3v3
Two teams of three play while two teams rest. Each group of six
players compete in eight short games. The resting and working teams
switch between each game. The first four games last 90 second while
the last four games last between 60 and 75 seconds. s
40 Yard

If one team scores they get another ball from their goalkeeper and
attack again. All restarts come from the goalkeeper who has only five
seconds to release the ball.

Coaching Points
• All movements are at full speed
• Finish quickly 36 Yards

• Fast transition [Link]

25 Yards

4 v 4 + 4 (15 Minutes)
Two teams of four play keep-away with the help of four neutral
players. One neutral player is at each end while two neutrals are in
the central area.
s
35 Yard

Coaching Points
• Eight passes is worth one point
• Neutral players are only allowed to play one-touch
• Neutral players can not pass to each other
• Restart quickly if the ball goes out of play

[Link]

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Conditioning

7 v 7 Transfer Game
Two teams of players are assigned one half of the field. They’re also
numbered one to seven. The coach passes the ball into one half of
the field and two defenders move from the other half to try to win
the ball. The team in possession receives one point for every five
consecutive passes. The defending team is allowed to send an extra
defender to pressure the ball each time the team in possession
completes five passes.

Defenders win the ball

If the defenders win the ball they pass it to their teammates on the
other half and start to connect passes. Only passes made in their
attacking half of the field count. The attacking team should work to
keep the ball in their half if a defender gets a touch or wins the ball.

When the ball goes out of play for the first time player number one
[Link] from each team sprints to a ball near the sideline. The first player to
reach a ball starts passing to their teammates. Player number two
sprints the next time and so on. The game continues for a set period of
time or until a team reaches a certain score.

6v3
s
40 Yard

Six defender keep possession away from three attackers. If the

defenders make six passes it equals one goal. When the attackers win
possession they can score in either goal. The game always restarts
with a ball served by the coach.

Change the three attacking players every 45 to 60 seconds.

The service from the coach can manipulate how hard both attackers
30 Yards and defenders must work.
[Link]

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Conditioning

2 v 2 + Targets
The dark team has one minute to play against the white team. The
team in possession try to work the ball from one red target player to
the other. If the dark team plays the ball to one target player then
they cannot play back to that player, they must try and get the ball
through to the other target player. If the yellow team wins the ball
they keep the ball and try to move it from one target to the other.

After one minute, one player from each team trades places with
a target player. The game focuses on the turning and dribbling
techniques used in the previous conditioning practice. This game is
played with a high level of intensity so each game must only last a
short time, usually one minute.
[Link]

Quick Play and Pressing

Game is played in a 20 yard by 30 yard area and is 5v5 with two
neutral players. The grid has two small goals that are one yard wide
are set in the middle of each end line of the grid. Additional, each
corner has a small goal that is one yard wide. The possessing team
tries to get 6 passes to score. If the defending team gets possession
they look to score right away on one of the small goals to switch roles.

Coach Tenney emphasizes that the players must move the ball away
from pressure. If they get 2-3 passes in the same area, then they need to
move it away to another area right away.

Progression
One teams tries to maintain possession for 90 seconds. If the ball goes
out of bounds it goes back to them right away. For every six passes [Link]

they complete they get 1 point. The defending team tries to win it
and score quickly to one of the small goals.

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50 Small-Sided Games

Passing & Possession

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Passing & Possession

Newcastle United FC

Passing and Receiving #3

This 6 v 6 game is played in a 40 x 30-yard grid. One player from each
team are positioned in each end zone and play unopposed. When a

s
40 Yard
player passes into his team mate in either end zone, he runs into the
end zone and the receiving player dribbles into the central area.

Coaching Points
• The ‘killer’ pass is to a teammate, not into space
• To improve pass accuracy, look up before passing
• Correct communication is key to success 30 Yards

[Link]

6v6
This is a possession game where each player picks a partner on the
other team. Players are only allowed to tackle the person they are
s
20 Yard

matched-up with.

Coaching Points
• Same defensive points as previous game
• Encourage attackers to dribble to create passing opportunities
20 Yards

[Link]

7 v 7 with Center Square

Two teams of seven players work to possess the ball and score by
passing it through the box in the center to a teammate on the other
side.

Progression
• Run the ball through the square
• Dribble or pass through to score
• Add a player in the middle of the square who the team plays to and
then receives the ball back from

[Link]

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Learn How to Combine to

Create More Goals

In modern soccer there is a great deal of emphasis on organization and

defending as a team. This has made it very difficult to break down the
opposition and create goal scoring opportunities through individual efforts.
This book focuses on the key principles of passing, receiving and possession
which will enable you to break down the opposing team, individually and
as a team to create goal scoring opportunities while playing attacking,
attractive, free flowing soccer.

To order books, magazines or DVDs

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WORLD CLASS COACHING

The Best Coaching Books

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Passing & Possession

Diagram 7

Fitness Exercise: 5 v 5 + 5 Keep-Away

Play 5 v 5 in the middle of a rectangle with a one-touch restriction.
Each team is supported by five ‘resting’ teammates who are
available for one-touch return passes, but restricted in movement
s

to about one yard up and down the line. The teams rotate
40 Yard

regularly.

Progression
Replace the one-touch restriction with a three-second time limit
and with the outside players allowed to move freely up and down
30 Yards the touch-line.
[Link]
[Link]

7+4v7+4
Six field players and a goalkeeper from each team are on the field
with four players from their team on the touch line. Two of the
players are on the end of the field they are attacking and two are
on the side line of the attacking half. The objective is to get the ball
forward quickly and create scoring chances.

Coaching Points
• The outside players are limited to one touch
• Speed of play
• The end line players set the ball for a shot by a field player
• Crosses from the wide players
[Link]

3v3+3
Two teams of three keep the ball away from the third team. If the
defending team wins the ball, the team that lost possession becomes
the defending team. The teams in possession are limited to two
touches.

Coaching Points
• Take your first touch away from pressure
• Don’t ‘kill’ or stop the ball with your first touch
• Support the player who is receiving the ball

Progressions
• You can’t pass to the person that just passed to you
[Link]
• You can’t pass to your teammates

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Passing & Possession

5 v 5 +2
Two teams of three play on a 14 x 25-yard field with a neutral player on
each end. A goal is scored by moving the ball from one neutral player to
the other. (Not shown)

In the other game, each team has five players on a 30 x 36-yard field and

s
36 Yard
two supporting players on the end of the field that they are attacking.
The players look to pass to one of the supporting players to score. If a
team intercepts the ball in the opponents half of the field, then they can
shoot on goal and score. The emphasis is on immediate pressure when
possession is lost. The outside players have only one touch.
30 Yards
The session ends with he players jogging and stretching on their own. [Link]

30 Yards

Small-Sided Game Progression

The drill uses two coned squares. A small 10 x 10-yard inner area within 10 Yards

a 30 x 30-yard outer square. The players are divided into two team. The
ball starts with one team who plays 5 v 2 within the inner square. If the s
30 Yard

s
10 Yard
defenders win the ball or the ball comes out of the small square then all
of the dark team become active and they play 7 v 5 using all of the area
within the larger square. If the white team wins the ball back or it goes
out of the larger square then the drill begins again with the white team
in possession within the 10 x 10-yard inner square.

[Link]

Multiple Goal Possession Game

The game is played on the whole pitch with eight cone gates spread
around the field. The objective is to maintain possession while scoring
points by passing the ball through the cone gates but they only get the
point if the pass is received by a teammate on the other side of the gate.
They are not allowed to score in the same gate directly after a point is
scored, they must look for a different gate to score.

Progression
Play with a one or two-touch restriction.
[Link]

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Passing & Possession

Team Possession Game

In this game there are two options to score; you can score a goal with
12 consecutive passes or score a goal with all of your teammates in
the attacking half of the field.

To end the session, all offensive players must still be in the attacking
half of the field when their team scores but now the defensive team
must all get back into their defensive half or any goal scored against
them counts as two.

[Link]

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50 Small-Sided Games

Shooting

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Shooting

Cones as Goals
Use a 20 x 30 yard rectangle set out with marker cones down each
side, and pointed target cones along each end. The players are split
s

into two teams, in this case 4 v 4. The two teams then play against
30 Yard

each other as normal. But instead of scoring in a goal, the idea is to

score by knocking over one of the target cones at the other end of the
rectangle. This drill should be used to promote the accuracy of our
players shooting and their close range side foot shot.

20 Yards

[Link]

6v3
s

Six defender keep possession away from three attackers. If the

40 Yard

defenders make six passes it equals one goal. When the attackers win
possession they can score in either goal. The game always restarts
with a ball served by the coach.

Change the three attacking players every 45 to 60 seconds.

The service from the coach can manipulate how hard both attackers
30 Yards
and defenders must work.

[Link]

Possession Play to Finishing Game

Two teams of eight, plus goalkeepers, play on half of a full field. The
two teams play keep-away while the goalkeepers wait. On the coaches
signal, the team in possession can attack either goal. The defending team
must reorganize quickly to prevent the goal while the team in possession
must quickly evaluate which goal to attack. If the defending team wins
the ball or it goes out of play, the teams resume playing keep-away until
the coach next signal.

[Link]

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Shooting

Shooting and Finishing Games

The group is divided into two teams of six. One team works as
attackers and one as the defenders.

The first player in line attacks the defender 1 v 1 in Area 1. When

that matchup is finished. The attacker moves to Area 2 and plays
2 v 1 to goal. In the final stage both attacking players from Area 2
move to Area 3 and play 4 v 2 to score.

The teams change roles once all of the players have had a chance
to move through all of the stations.

This is not a small-sided game strictly speaking but a creative

combination of games so we included it here. [Link]

Shooting vs Possession
Two teams of eight compete but each team has different
objectives. The dark team plays possession and is able to use their
teammates that are positioned on the side lines of the area. The
white team attempts to score on either goal while using their
teammates who are positioned on each end line.

The two teams change objectives and positions after four minutes.

Coaching Points
• The white players must work hard to get the ball away from the
dark team
• Move into shooting positions quickly once the ball is won
• The dark team keeps the ball as long as possible [Link]

Switching Play to Score Small-Sided Game

The object of the game is to pass the ball into one of the two flank
areas and score from a cross. One player from the midfield zone can
move into the attacking third and attempt to score. When the play
breaks down the ball can be played directly into the midfield zone to
create a 2 v 1 situation as the midfielder is recovering to help defend.

Coaching Points
• Speed of play and thought
• Control
• Timing of all runs
[Link]

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Shooting

2v2+4
The exercise is set up in a grid size that is approximately 20 yards wide by
30 yards long. There are two full-sized goals and goalkeepers included in
the drill. Play is 2v2 with four support players per team on the outside.
Outside players have 1-touch.

[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

The following diagram illustrates how the players rotate in the drill when
a goal is scored or a shot is taken. If a goal is scored, the team that scores
must run back to their own goal to retrieve a ball. The other team rotates
their players while this is happening. The two players in the playing area
go to the end of the line for their team by each post (one player each
post). The two players that are first by the post acting as supporting
players take the positions as supporting players wide. The two wide
players enter the field of play.

Coaching Point
Outside players have only 1-touch to play the ball into their teammates
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

4 v 4 + 4 Progression
Progression- The grid size is expanded to 44 yards wide (the width of
the 18-yard box) by 36 yards long (twice the length of the 18-yard box.
Play inside the grid is 4v4 with the same number of support players on
the outside. Players don’t rotate, though, as they did before. Play for
approximately 3 minutes, then switch the players on the inside with the
support players on the outside.

Coaching Point
Outside players have 1-touch. All re-starts start with the goalkeeper in
the half where the ball went out of bounds.
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

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Shooting

9 v 9 Offside Shooting
I devised this practice to solve the problems I had with players having a tendency to run too early and thus into an offside position to receive a pass, plus to
teach players to pass the ball into space rather than to the player.

The practice is 9 v 9 in the middle third of a full field that is marked into thirds with lines also extending from the penalty area as shown in diagram 13.
Two coaches are positioned on the lines to see if a player runs into an offside position. The game starts with a coach serving the ball to the dark team who
has to make a minimum of three passes before they can pass over the line and into space for a teammate who then goes 1 v 1 against the goalkeeper.
Following an attempt at goal, the coach serves a ball to the white team and the game continues.

Diagram 13
Points Of Observation C
• The following are the tendencies of the players that this practice will help
overcome. A1
•
• Rushing the final pass
• Attempting the final pass even when the opportunity is not there
C
• Play tends to be squeezed in a tight area instead of using the full width of
the field
• The final pass is played to the player instead of to space
• The running player (A1) will run too early - offside
• The running player (A1) will run to the wrong area

[Link]

6 v 6 + Goalkeepers
Similar setup as previous exercises but now with goals placed at each end
of grid. Players set up with a 2-2-2 formation. A shot on goal results on
the team getting the ball back and attacking the other goal.
s
40 Yard

Coaching Points
• Can you keep possession and attack with purpose?
• Shoot whenever possible
• Close down ball carrier and apply pressure

Progression
Play two-touch and then one-touch if possible. 30 Yards
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50 Small-Sided Games

Crossing and Finishing

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Crossing and Finishing

4v4
Two teams of four plus goalkeepers play in an area twice the size of the
penalty box. A third team of four players waits outside the area.

The play always starts with one goalkeeper throwing to the other who
then plays the ball to his teammates.

The team that scores stays on and plays the team that was off.

Defensive Coaching Points

• Early pressure on the ball • Balance
• Cover around the first defender • Commitment - Desire to win the
[Link]
and the ball ball - Desire to defend your goal

Progression #1
The third team now become crossers, one in each corner grid. The
attacking team must make four passes before playing the ball to a
crossing player. One of the passes MUST be to the goalkeeper.
Defensive Coaching Points
• Pick up a man and get goal side • Defend the goal - priority!
• Body shape one - see man & ball • Be ready for second ball
• First to the ball - attack the ball • Clear your box
Keeper’s Coaching Points
• Starting position - related to ball • Decision: talk and take control
• Positive body language • Angle of approach and timing
• Judge the flight of the cross [Link]

Progression #2
The crossing players now cut the ball back away from the endline, and
serve an in-swinging cross with the other foot. The weak side crosser can
leave his box and attack the cross.

When the goalkeeper comes to win the ball the defenders should cover
around the back of the keeper assuming he will make a mistake.

[Link]

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Crossing and Finishing

9 v 9 Crossing And Finishing

Diagram 15 The same organization as the previous game except this time the final
C
pass is played into the wide area for A3 who attacks the end-line and
A2 crosses for two players, A1 and A2 who have made runs into the penalty
A1 A3 area.

Coaching Points
C • All previous coaching points including timing of runs and weight of
passes
• Players A1 and A2 should time their runs so they don’t arrive too
early
• Players A1 and A2 should stagger their runs as shown, with A1’s near
post run arriving first and A2’s far post run arriving second
• Hit the target with the shot
[Link]

Diagram 16
C

A2
Variation
A1 A3 The final pass can be made to the opposite flank area to A4 as shown in
A4 diagram 16.

C A conditioning element can be introduced by asking A1, A2, A3 and

A4 to make recovery runs back into the middle third playing area as
quickly as possible. To make this effective, the coach should serve a ball
back into play as soon as the players have made their attempt on goal.

[Link]

Game to Finish
The sessions ends with a game where the goals are placed at
the top of the penalty area. A 15-yard grid is placed around the
center circle. The ball must be played with one touch in this area to
encourage wide play and crosses.

[Link]

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Crossing and Finishing

Flank Handball
Players play regular handball. However, the ball must be served (thrown)
to a running target in the arc from a player in the open flank channel.
In order for the goal to count, three other players must get to the three

s
40 Yard
cones outside just outside of the arc. This encourages getting numbers
into the box, spacing and/or “framing” of the goal box.

Variation
Players on cones can flick/tip ball to player in arc if the serve is off.
40 Yards

[Link]

Three Zone To Goal

Teams play 8 v 8 + GK (3-4-1 formations). A 25-yard wide central zone is
sectioned off (pinnies tend to be better markers on the field than cones).
Players are restricted to two-touch in center zone and unlimited touches
otherwise. This encourages “East/West” soccer and gets the ball wide.

Coaching Points
• Central players must position/prepare body early to get early balls out
to flanks
• Passes to flank players must be out in front (in stride) of player
• Encourage overlapping and interchanging of WMF and outside backs.
Runs forward must be timed and width must be established by flank
players as ball is switched
• The Center Midfielder must get into box and join strikers [Link]

“Magic Box”
8 v 8 + GK (3-4-1) is once again played. Now a 25 x 15-yard coned box is
placed on the middle of the field. Players can not pass or dribble forward
through the box. This encourages more switching of the ball and also
pulls central players wider for angled passes towards outside channels
(which will force flank players out to the touch line.)

Coaching Point
Discourage long build-ups and encourage early balls wide and quick
switches, especially to final 1/3.

[Link]

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Crossing and Finishing

Flank Zones
The field is now smaller to provide more repetitions and put the teams
in their attacking third at all time. Each team has attacking players in
wide channels. The ball is played to the flank player in the channel who
prepares and serves it into the box.

Coaching Point
• Players organize runs, communicate and frame goal/ box
• Flank player can serve early (30 yds) or closer to end line (based on the
pass he receives and runners)
• Encourage variety of cutbacks to 18, near post and far post service.
• Aggressive first touch into space by flank players

Variations
• Award three points for one-touch finishes/goals directly off crosses
[Link]
• Allow overlapping player into channel (if flank players 1st touch is onto
playing field)

11 v 11 with the Flanks Free

Two teams of 11 on a marked out pitch with the flank areas free. The
teams adopt a specific playing formation (4-4-2 / 4-3-3 / etc.)

Procedure
• Normal play in the central area of the pitch
• One player may enter the marked-out areas on the flanks by running
onto the ball there; they are allowed a maximum of three touches and
then they come back into play again (control, pass, cross)
• Play two or three touch depending on the quality of the players
• One point for each goal, two points for a goal from a cross
[Link]

Variation
A defender can enter the area to try to prevent the cross.

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