Small-Sided Games
5v5 With Keepers
Play a realistic game with goalkeepers
Small-Sided Games
Goalkeeping
Finishing
Play a realistic game with goalkeepers. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.
Back to drill librarySmall-Sided Games
Goalkeeping
Finishing
Small-Sided Game
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Age
Under 8 to Adults
Duration
20 min
Players
10-14
Area / pitch size
45 x 30 yards
Difficulty
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Equipment
Balls, Cones, Bibs, Full Goals
Coaching focus
Play a realistic game with goalkeepers
Objective
- -Play a realistic game with goalkeepers
- -Build from the back and finish
- -Practise all the phases in one game
Setup
- 1A 45 x 30 pitch with a full goal and keeper at each end.
- 2Two teams of five outfield.
- 3Balls behind both goals.
How to play
- 1Play as a match with throw-ins, corners and goal kicks.
- 2Five minute games with a break for coaching.
- 3Coach may freeze play to make a point.
Coaching points
- -Use the keeper as an extra player
- -Create width and depth in possession
- -Press together after losing the ball
Progressions
- +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
- +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
- +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
- +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round
Regressions
- -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
- -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
- -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
- -Simplify the area or the service until success returns
Variations
- -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
- -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
- -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
- -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
- -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
- -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
- -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
- -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch
Common mistakes
- -Ignoring the keeper in build-up
- -Playing too narrow
- -Individuals pressing alone
Related Football Drills & Sessions
- More football small-sided games drills
- More football goalkeeping drills
- More football finishing drills
- 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
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