Small-Sided Games

Tempo End Zone Game

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Passing

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
Tempo

Age

Under 5 to Adults

Duration

16 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. 2Set a visible timer or have an assistant count aloud from the side of the area.
  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. 4The clock starts the moment the first pass is played in.
  5. 5The sequence must reach the end action inside eight seconds or the rep is void.

Coaching points

  • -Run beyond the line to receive
  • -Time the pass with the run
  • -Defend the zone, not the ball
  • -Pass with pace and intent — under-hit passes cost the clock

Progressions

  • +Cut the clock to six seconds
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Stretch the clock to twelve seconds
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Reps finished inside five seconds score double
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Runs made too early
  • -Passing into the zone with nobody there
  • -Slow, sideways passing that burns the clock

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