Team Shape

Continuous Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Team Shape
Possession
Defending

Hold shape while outnumbered. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

Back to drill library
Team Shape
Possession
Defending
Small-Sided Game
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Repetition

Age

Under 11 to Adults

Duration

22 min

Players

9-18

Area / pitch size

44 x 34 yards

Difficulty

Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs, Mini Goals

Coaching focus

Hold shape while outnumbered

Objective

  • -Hold shape while outnumbered
  • -Coach compactness under sustained pressure
  • -Reward organised defending with a counter chance

Setup

  1. 1A pitch with a goal to defend and two counter goals on halfway in a 44 x 34 yards area.
  2. 2Load a ball at each starting station so the next rep can begin immediately.
  3. 3Balls with the attacking team, two sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1The attacking team has a two-player advantage.
  2. 2The defending team stays compact and counters into the halfway goals.
  3. 3Swap roles every five minutes.
  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

  • -Protect the middle first
  • -Delay rather than dive in
  • -Counter as soon as the ball is won
  • -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

  • -Chasing the ball out of shape
  • -No outlet after winning the ball
  • -Long queues while balls are collected

Related Football Drills & Sessions

Build a full session around this drill

Related drills

Age band
Under 11 to Adults
Players
9-18
Time
22 min
Area
46 x 36 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Team Shape
FREE

Overload Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Intermediate / Advanced
Team ShapePossessionDefending
Age band
Under 11 to Adults
Players
9-18
Time
20 min
Area
40 x 30 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Team Shape
FREE

Underload Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Intermediate / Advanced
Team ShapePossessionDefending
Age band
Under 11 to Adults
Players
9-18
Time
20 min
Area
42 x 32 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Team Shape
FREE

Two-Touch Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Intermediate / Advanced
Team ShapePossessionDefending
Age band
Under 11 to Adults
Players
9-18
Time
20 min
Area
44 x 34 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Team Shape
FREE

Tempo Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Intermediate / Advanced
Team ShapePossessionDefending
Age band
Under 11 to Adults
Players
9-18
Time
22 min
Area
48 x 38 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Team Shape
FREE

Transition Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Intermediate / Advanced
Team ShapePossessionDefending
Age band
Under 11 to Adults
Players
9-18
Time
20 min
Area
40 x 30 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Team Shape
FREE

Pressure Numbers Up Shape Game

Hold shape while outnumbered

Intermediate / Advanced
Team ShapePossessionDefending