Transition

4v4 Transition Game

React instantly to turnovers

Transition

Small-Sided Games

Pressing

4v4 Transition Game is a 18-minute transition drill for 8-16 players, suitable for Under 9 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, mini goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Transition

Small-Sided Games

Pressing

Small-Sided Game

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Goals Needed

Duration

18 min

Players

8-16

Pitch size

35 x 30 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

4v4 Transition Game — 4v4 small-sided game · 35 x 30 yards

Step 1 of 3Games last two minutes, the winning team stays on.

1. Games last two minutes, the winning team stays on.
2. New balls come in from the coach immediately on a goal or out of play.
3. Continuous rotation of teams.

Cones mark the area
Mini goals at each end
Ball
Blue v dark — score in the opposite goal
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-React instantly to turnovers
-Attack quickly when the ball is won
-Recover shape when it is lost

Setup

1A 35 x 30 pitch with mini goals at each end.
2Two teams of four with a resting team on the side.
3Balls stored around the pitch.

Coaching instructions

1Games last two minutes, the winning team stays on.
2New balls come in from the coach immediately on a goal or out of play.
3Continuous rotation of teams.

Coaching points

-First thought forward on winning the ball
-Sprint back goal-side when it is lost
-Talk through every transition

Common mistakes

-Standing after a turnover
-Slow reaction to the new ball
-Everyone attacking with nobody covering

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Mini Goals

Age groups

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

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