Small-Sided Games

Continuous End Zone Game

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Passing
Premium

Reward forward passing and running with the ball. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Passing
Small-Sided Game
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Repetition

Age

Under 5 to Adults

Duration

18 min

Players

6-18

Area / pitch size

36 x 26 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs

Coaching focus

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Objective

  • -Reward forward passing and running with the ball
  • -Create a game that works without goals
  • -Encourage runs beyond the defensive line

Setup

  1. 1A pitch with a three-yard end zone at each end in a 36 x 26 yards area.
  2. 2Load a ball at each starting station so the next rep can begin immediately.
  3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1Teams score by controlling the ball inside the opposition end zone.
  2. 2The ball must be passed into the zone, not dribbled in.
  3. 3Restart immediately from the conceding team.
  4. 4As soon as one sequence ends, the next server plays in without waiting.
  5. 5Run 4-minute blocks and count total completed sequences as a squad score.

Coaching points

  • -Run beyond the line to receive
  • -Time the pass with the run
  • -Defend the zone, not the ball
  • -Reset fast — the value is in the volume of good reps

Progressions

  • +Add a second ball into the rotation
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Pause 15 seconds between reps to reset positions
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Split into two competing halves and compare block totals
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Runs made too early
  • -Passing into the zone with nobody there
  • -Long queues while balls are collected

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Age band
Under 5 to Adults
Players
6-18
Time
16 min
Area
36 x 26 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Small-Sided Games
FREE

Tempo End Zone Game

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Small-Sided GamesAttackingPassing