Small-Sided Games
Finishing Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.
Back to drill libraryAge
Under 5 to Adults
Duration
22 min
Players
9-18
Area / pitch size
36 x 30 yards
Difficulty
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Equipment
Balls, Cones, Bibs, Mini Goals
Coaching focus
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
Build a full 60-minute session around this drill
Warm-up to match, ready to print. Free — no card needed.
Objective
- -Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
- -Give every team regular rest and reflection
- -Reward teams that keep winning
Setup
- 1One pitch with a resting team waiting on the side line in a 36 x 30 yards area.
- 2Set a goal at the end of the area with a keeper or a target zone if no keeper is available.
- 3Balls beside the resting team, three sets of bibs.
How to play
- 1Two teams play a three-minute game while the third rests.
- 2The winner stays on and the resting team comes in.
- 3Play a full round-robin and keep a running score.
- 4Every sequence starts with a pass out and ends with a strike on goal.
- 5Goals score one, first-time finishes score two, and rebounds must be followed in.
Coaching points
- -Start fast — the games are short
- -Use the rest to talk tactics
- -Fresh legs press hardest
- -Head up before the strike — pick the side, then commit
Progressions
- +Cap the sequence at one touch before the strike
- +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful
Regressions
- -Remove the keeper and finish into a wide target goal
- -Simplify the area or the service until success returns
Variations
- -Coach can throw in a second ball for an instant rebound finish
- -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch
Common mistakes
- -Slow changeovers
- -Resting team switching off completely
- -Rushing the shot and leaning back over the ball
Related Football Drills & Sessions
- More football small-sided games drills
- More football transition drills
- More football possession drills
- Football drills for U6s
- Football drills for U7s
- Football drills for U8s
- Football drills for U9s
- Football drills for U10s
- Football drills for U11s
- Football drills for U12s
- Football drills for U13s
- Football drills for U14s
- Football drills for U15s
- Football drills for U16s
- Football drills for 10 players
- Football drills by age, topic and squad size
- Football session plans built around this theme
Related drills
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 22 min
- Area
- 36 x 30 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Overload Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 32 x 26 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Two-Touch Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 34 x 28 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Tempo Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 22 min
- Area
- 34 x 28 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Continuous Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 22 min
- Area
- 32 x 26 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Rotation Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
- Age band
- Under 5 to Adults
- Players
- 9-18
- Time
- 20 min
- Area
- 36 x 30 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Small-Sided Game
Combination Three Team Rotation Game
Keep intensity high with short, sharp games