4v4 games and drills designed to improve passing, dribbling and shooting

4 v. 4 The Basic Game

Size of Field

Depends on the age of players. Can vary from 30 yd. x 20 yd. up to 40 yd. x 25 yd.. The goals are 8 feet wide.

The Team In Possession of the Ball

 Can employ build-up by using the entire playing area in terms of length and width (spread out, possession).

 Can learn and determine team shape, which, in a group of 4 resembles a diamond.

 Can create goal scoring opportunities by taking action either individually or collectively.

When the Other Team Has the Ball

 The aim is to prevent goals from being scored by getting behind the ball and to regain possession of the ball.

 Simple principles of defending are reinforced and amplified since there is no spare defender or goalkeeper.

4 v. 4 Line Soccer

Variations of the 4 v. 4 Game

Using slightly different sizes of goals, differing methods to score, and slightly altered size and shape of field can guide players to solve problems by emphasizing certain aspects of play.

4 v. 4 Line Soccer

 Each team has a line to defend and attack.

 Score a goal by dribbling the ball over any portion of the line that your team is attacking.

 The size of the field is the same as a standard 4 v. 4 game, but it is turned sideways. The wider, shorter field allows for maintaining good shape (diamond), but also creates many good 1 v. 1 situations which challenges the player's dribbling skills.

 Players need to evaluate and identify when to dribble and pass. This variation highlights: The correct attitude (when to take a risk aggressively) and the technical development and execution of dribbling.

4 v. 4 The Dribbling Game

The Game

Same field as the "Line Soccer" game, a wide, short field. teams can score in one of 2 ways. Passing into an open goal or by stopping the ball on the endline between the two goals they are attacking.

What The Game Incorporates

 Vision

 Changes in the direction and speed of play due to the shape of the field and presence of multiple goals.

 Decision making skills because the player has a variety of options at his disposal (dribbling, passing, "shooting", changing directions)

4 v. 4 The Passing Game

The Game

Since the playing area is longer than it is wide, the emphasis is on creating length (height) in the game. In this game, there is a premium placed on playing the ball forward early. The ball can be played early:

 To a target player who is coming back for the ball with a defender behind them (as shown in diagram).

 To a player running forward away from the server.

Scoring

 Stopping the ball anywhere on the line.

 Passing the ball through an open goal.

This Game Emphasizes

 Vision

 Changes in direction and speed of play.

 Appropriate use of firm touch.

 Long and short passing.

 Transitions  

The Game

While one team attacks the large goal, the opposition attacks either of the two smaller goals. When the team scores in one of the two smaller goals, they must change directions and take a turn at attacking the larger goal.

This Game Emphasizes

 Attitude and confidence that is essential for scoring goals. (Large net)

 Passing, shooting and dribbling skills required in the other 4 v. 4 games.

 Transition awareness since the team can attack quickly in the other direction.

 Team shape and the roles of each player because when there is a transition, the back becomes the front and vice versa.

4 v. 4 The Shooting Game

The priority of this game is shooting and scoring. Since the field is wide and short, players should be looking to shoot almost whenever they get the ball. Game played like a regular 4 v. 4 match.

A passing, dribbling and shooting drill where one side is given an extra player (2 v 1)

Game Rules
Have substitute players to replace those who are playing.
One team has a single outfield player, the other has two, and both have a goalkeeper.

Several balls should be kept within each goal to keep a ball in play.
Make the goal four yards wide, and create a play area 25 yards by 15 yards.
Encourage both teams to score even though one has a manpower advantage.
When the ball is out of play, start the game at the goal line by the goalkeeper.
Keep score.

• Player Objectives
  Watch the ball but keep head up to observe opponents and the goal.
  Team with two outfield players:
  The player in possession has two options - pass the ball or keep it.
  Pass to teammate with pace and accuracy, and use teamwork to score.
  For the player not in possession, support teammate by being visible.
  Team with one outfield player:
  Player in possession keeps the ball until the angle to shoot exists, then tries to score.
  Manipulate the ball, keeping body between opponents and the ball.
  Change pace and direction.

 

A 1 v 1 v 1 drill that induces the player in possession to create a shooting position

Game Rules
One ball for three players in the area shown in the diagram, approximately 15 yards square.
Each player plays against the other two players.
Each player tries to score in a goal four to five yards wide.
When the ball goes out of play, the coach puts another ball in play.
Goalkeeper making a save throws the ball to the coach.
After 10 balls are served, all three players and the goalkeeper are changed.
Keep score and play the winners against each other to name the champion.

• Player Objectives
  Control the ball from the coach.
  Manipulate the ball to avoid challenges.
  Shield the ball when necessary.
  Change direction - turn with the ball.
  Change pace.
  Shoot at the earliest opportunity.  

 

A passing, dribbling and shooting game where one side is given an extra player (2 v 1)

 

Game Rules
Divide the players into two teams.
Toss a coin to determine offensive team and defensive team.
All the play takes place within the area shown - 20 yards by 15 yards, with a goal five yards wide.
Keep a large supply of balls.
Play four minutes and then change to allow the defending team to attack and the attacking team to defend.
Keep score.
The coach starts the play by serving the ball to any of the three attackers at the front of a line.
The three combine to score a goal.
When the coach serves the ball, the two front defenders may leave their positions and try to prevent the attacking team from scoring.
When a goal is scored or the goalkeeper makes a save or the ball goes out of play, the five players leave the area quickly to allow five more players to play.

• Player Objectives
  Player with the ball:
  Control the ball from the coach.
  Manipulate the ball to avoid challenge.
  Shoot at the earliest good opportunity.
  Attacking players without the ball:
  Support the player in possession of the ball.
  Know where and when to run so that a pass from the player with the ball cannot be intercepted.

A fun centre circle practice that develops accurate kicking

 

Game Rules
Eight players on the outside of the centre circle.
Each player on one side of the circle has a partner directly opposite.
Each pair has one ball between them.
One player passes the ball towards his or her partner but tries to knock over a cone in the centre circle.
The partner retrieves the ball and returns the pass through the centre circle, again trying to kick over a cone.
The ball must be passed from outside the circle.
The game is stopped to pick up the cones.
The winners are the pair to first knock over the cones 10 times.

• Player Objectives
  To achieve pace and accuracy of pass.

A fun circle game that develops combined passing and shooting

 

Game Rules
Make the goal one cone placed inside an area with a radius of approximately six yards.
If a liner is not available, the circumference can be marked out with frisbees, bibs or other cones.
The team in dark uniforms plays against the team in white.
A goal is scored when the ball is played from outside the area to knock over the cone.
All players are allowed to run through the circle but no player is allowed to touch the ball in the circle.
If any player touches the ball in the area, the opposing team has a free shot at the "goal" from the edge of the circle.
Keep score.

 

• Player Objectives
  Player in possession:
  To keep an eye on the ball and keep the head up to observe teammates, opponents and the goal.
  To maintain possession of the ball by keeping one's body between the ball and opponent.
  To change direction, by turning with the ball, and to change pace.
  To pass to teammates and choose which teammate is the better option.
  To achieve pace and accuracy of pass.
  Players not in possession:
  To support the player with the ball.
  To know where and when to run.
  To know not to make the same run as other supporting players, or to crowd the player in possession of the ball.
  NOTE: The game should be no longer than three minutes before allowing players to rest.
  The competitive 3-a-side nature of the game is physically demanding.
  Quality of play deteriorates as players become fatigued. It is important they have the opportunity to recover.
  With a group of 12, six play and six rest. Change frequently.

3v3 one goal

A 3-a-side game which emphasizes dribbling, passing and shooting

 

Game Rules
A normal 3-a-side game in an area approximately 30 yards by 20 yards, except that it is played around one goal rather than two.
Emphasize shooting at goal at the earliest opportunity.
Players combine to create goal-scoring opportunity.
Team in the dark uniforms can score only from the left side of the field, and team in white only from the right side.
Re-start game with a throw-in any time the ball goes out of bounds.
When goalkeeper makes a save from one team, he throws the ball into the opposing half of the field.

• Player Objectives
  To take early shots from within shooting distance of the goal.
  To provide support for the player with the ball.

A fun game which encourages good kicking technique and develops passing skills   Game Rules Mark out an area approximately 15 yards by 10 yards with a goal three yards wide in the middle. Each player remains behind his own line. A shot can be played with the inside or outside of the foot through the goal. The receiving player controls the ball behind his line and tries to pass the ball through the goal (if by lack of control the ball rebounds into the goal, it does not count). As the players improve, increase the length of the area of decrease the size of the goal. Limit the touches to three or, as players improve, to two. Play the game for five minutes and have the players keep score. Player Objectives To control the ball and set up the pass. To achieve pace and accuracy of passes.

Switching point of Attack

UNRESTRICTED SPACE - WARM UP	ORGANIZATION Middle player passes ball to an outside player and runs to support Outside player passes ball back to inside player who one touches the ball back outside Outside player crosses the ball to the other outside player Progressions: Multiple touches to one touch. Balls played on the ground to balls played in the air.	KEY COACHING POINTS Middle player's body position should be open to field (able to see both outside players at the same time) Pass to outside player should be in front of the outside player to allow for a 1-touch cross Cross should played to space in front of the other outside player Middle player moves to support the other outside player at appropriate time (when the outside player opens up their body to cross the ball
RESTRICTED SPACE	Play 6v6+2 neutral players in a large area Progressions: Limit touches	Play in the direction you are facing Play short 1 touch passes to draw the defense in then switch the point of attack After switch is made move to support the new point of attack Some attacking players give depth away from the ball - ready to receive the switch Angles and distances of support
ONE GOAL WITH COUNTER	Play 6v6+2 neutral players to small goals Teams play with direction (one team has three goals to attack and three goals to defend) Teams get 2 points for scoring on an outside goal and 1 point for scoring in a central goal Progressions: Have the neutral players stay with a team (play 7v7). Limit touches in the different regions of the field if the players are dribbling too much.	Be patient, draw the defense in then switch the point of attack Look to play the ball to space in front of the other outside mid or back (we want to get behind the defense) When playing 8v8 have one team play a 4-3-1 (the team you are coaching) and the other team a 3-2-3.
GAME - TWO GOALS	Play 8v8 The goals for an 8v8 game should be placed on the top of the penalty box on each end of the field	The positioning of the far side back/mid depends on the amount of pressure on the ball Close pressure on the ball=back/mid stays back to offer support and to be ready to transition Lack of pressure the back/mid cheats up the field

Wide back to overlap in attack

UNRESTRICTED SPACE - WARM UP	ORGANIZATION Everyone is moving around an area, half of the players have balls Players without a ball look to overlap a player with a ball	KEY COACHING POINTS Tactical application of technique Technique/tactics of an overlap Communication
RESTRICTED SPACE	Play 3v3+1 Progressions: Add small cone goals to score through. Add players	Tactical application of technique Technique/tactics of an overlap Communication Cues for when an overlap is on (defender is standing still or moving forward)
ONE GOAL WITH COUNTER	Play 6v4 on half the field The team of 4 attacks the full sized goal, the team of 6 attacks two small counter goals placed around the half line The team of 6 gets a point if a back can overlap into the attack Progressions: Goals count double if they are scored off of an overlapping run by a back. Add players.	Tactical application of technique Technique/tactics of an overlap Communication Cues for when an overlap is on (defender is standing still or moving forward) If a back runs up someone else has to cover their space
GAME - TWO GOALS	Play 8v8 The goals for an 8v8 game should be placed on the top of the penalty box on each end of the field Have the team you are coaching play a 4-3-1 against a 3-3-2	Tactical application of technique Technique/tactics of an overlap Communication Cues for when an overlap is on (defender is standing still or moving forward) If a back runs up someone else has to cover their space

8v8

6v4

8v8

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