Drill category

Football small-sided games drills

Small-sided games are where the session theme gets tested. Conditioned 3v3, 4v4 and 5v5 games keep everyone involved and decisions constant.

What to coach

Condition the game, not the players
Short games, quick resets
Coach in the natural stoppages

Filter the small-sided games drills Football session plans

All 68 football small-sided games drills

Every drill below has its own page with the full setup, coaching points, progressions and a pitch diagram.

Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
World Cup Tournament — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
3v3 Continuous Games — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
2v2 Rapid Tournament — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
6v6 Thirds Conditioned Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Four Goal Dribble Game — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 6 to Adults
Three Goal Finishing Game — finishing drill, 18 min, Under 8 to Adults
Defend The Gate — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 8 to Adults
Keep Away With Neutrals — possession drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Beat The Press Game — playing out from the back drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
4v4 Transition Game — transition drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 6 to Adults
5v5 With Keepers — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 8 to Adults
Three Team Rotation Games — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 8 to Adults
Directional Possession Match — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Wide Channel Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Football Endurance Intervals — speed & agility drill, 15 min, Under 12 to Adults
Ball Tag Conditioning Game — football fitness drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Under 12
Conditioning Possession Game — football fitness drill, 16 min, Under 12 to Adults
Three Team Small-Sided Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 8 to Adults
Overload Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Underload Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Tempo Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Transition Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Rotation Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Combination Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Wide Channel Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Counter Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Four Goal Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Overload Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Underload Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Tempo Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Transition Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Rotation Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Combination Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Wide Channel Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Counter Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Halfway Line Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Overload Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 5 to Adults
Underload Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Tempo Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Transition Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 5 to Adults
Rotation Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 5 to Adults
Combination Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Wide Channel Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Counter Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Three Team Rotation Game — small-sided games drill, 22 min, Under 5 to Adults
Overload End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Underload End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 16 min, Under 5 to Adults
Tempo End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 16 min, Under 5 to Adults
Transition End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Rotation End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Combination End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 16 min, Under 5 to Adults
Wide Channel End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 16 min, Under 5 to Adults
Counter End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing End Zone Game — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults

Drills by age group

Small-Sided Games drill questions coaches ask

How many football small-sided games drills are there on Football Coach Hub?

There are 68 football small-sided games drills in the library, each with a setup, coaching points, common mistakes, a progression and a regression so you can run it with mixed abilities.

What equipment do I need for small-sided games drills?

Most drills need only a ball per player, cones and bibs. You can filter the drill library by the kit you actually have, including mini goals, full goals, poles, ladders and rebound boards.

How long should a small-sided games practice last?

Ten to fifteen minutes on one technical practice is usually enough before players need a change of picture. Follow it with the same theme inside a small-sided game.