Small-Sided Games

Counter Four Goal Game

Encourage switching play towards the free goal

Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Possession

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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Goals Needed
Counter Attack

Age

Under 9 to Adults

Duration

20 min

Players

6-18

Area / pitch size

40 x 34 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 40 x 34 yards area.
  2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
  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 team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
  5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Coaching points

  • -Attack the goal that is least protected
  • -Switch quickly when one side is crowded
  • -Defend both goals as a unit
  • -Counter in a straight line — the first pass forward beats the recovery run

Progressions

  • +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -All players following the ball
  • -Ignoring the far goal
  • -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on

Related Football Drills & Sessions

Build a full session around this drill

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