Get players’ heads up

In this small-sided game, you need to get your players to make decisions which means getting their heads up to see what options they have.

They have the chance to score in two goals at one end of the playing area, so they have to switch play quickly to catch the opposition off guard.

Use a 40 yards wide by 30 yards long area with three goals, each having a goalkeeper, as in the image below. I have used three teams of three players, but you can change this to reflect the number of players at your coaching session.

How to play it

The black team, attacking the two-goal end, starts with the ball and can attempt to score in either goal.

When a shot is taken or a tackle made, the defending white team takes control of the ball and attacks the single goal at the other end against three new defenders (the black shorts).

Now, when a shot is taken, the black shorts attack the two goals which are now defended by the black team. The white team rests before returning to defend the single goal on the next attack.

Rotation of players

The team that started the attack defends the two goals then rests for a turn. If you are only using two teams, swap the roles after three attacks.

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