Fitness workout with small sided game

Young soccer (football) players often get bored by fitness exercises and drills, they just want to play soccer. Use this continuous 2v2 small-sided game to keep them motivated at training and give them a good fitness work-out, too.

The Dutch have used small-sided games for coaching youth soccer teams with great success - they recognised the decline in street soccer and saw these games as the ideal replacement for youngsters.

Try this fitness work-out game at your next soccer training session:

Small sided soccer game to give young players fitness workout

Game set up

Two teams of four players, one goal, one keeper and a large number of balls.
The pairs of players take turns at attacking in a 2v2 situation and then immediately defending a 2v2 situation.
Play the game continuously for a set time period or until a set number of goals is scored.

Small-sided games are acknowledged throughout the coaching profession - from grassroots to the top of the professional game - as one of the best ways to coach soccer skills and tactics. Click here to order 64 Small-Sided Soccer Games, written by Michael Beale, Chelsea FC academy coach.

Soccer coaching tips

Improve your soccer training skills. Sign up for a FREE weekly email, full of simple proven tips, advice and drills.

"I look forward to every issue because it is concise and filled with great information. In times like this, with very busy schedules, it is invaluable. I highly recommend it."
Victor Gascon, Coach, USA

Please note that Better Soccer Coaching takes your privacy very seriously. We will never rent or sell your email address to any third party.