Small-Sided Games

Combination Four Goal Game

Encourage switching play towards the free goal

Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Possession
Premium

Encourage switching play towards the free goal. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Possession
Small-Sided Game
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Combination Play

Age

Under 5 to Adults

Duration

18 min

Players

6-18

Area / pitch size

38 x 32 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs, Mini Goals

Coaching focus

Encourage switching play towards the free goal

Objective

  • -Encourage switching play towards the free goal
  • -Create constant decision-making
  • -Maximise touches and involvement

Setup

  1. 1A pitch with two mini goals to attack on each end line in a 38 x 32 yards area.
  2. 2Add a neutral bounce player on each side line inside a marked yard-wide channel.
  3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1Teams can score in either of the two goals they attack.
  2. 2Play restarts from the coach the moment a ball goes out.
  3. 3Rolling substitutions keep the game flowing.
  4. 4The first pass must go into the bounce player before the practice opens up.
  5. 5A sequence only scores when three different players have touched the ball.

Coaching points

  • -Attack the goal that is least protected
  • -Switch quickly when one side is crowded
  • -Defend both goals as a unit
  • -Third player movement — the pass is set up by the run before it

Progressions

  • +Demand a one-touch set from the bounce player
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Allow the bounce player unlimited touches
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Bounce players can join the attack once per round
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -All players following the ball
  • -Ignoring the far goal
  • -Two players combining over and over while the third stands still

Related Football Drills & Sessions

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Related drills

Age band
Under 5 to Adults
Players
6-18
Time
18 min
Area
36 x 30 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Small-Sided Games
FREE

Tempo Four Goal Game

Encourage switching play towards the free goal

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Small-Sided GamesAttackingPossession