Soccer How-Tos
Small-Sided Games
1 v 1 to Small Goal
1 v 1 to Two Goals
o
Goal in a grid, players may circle the goal; Play for 1-2 minutes
o
Play at top speed for 1-2 minutes. No goalkeepers, small cone goals
o
Defensive responsibility is to get “Goal Side” between attacker and goal
o
Teams of three, rotating roles
o
Offensive responsibility is to shield the ball, make an angle and accelerate
past the defender – “Attack the goal”
o
A1 plays against B1 – encourage shooting
o
A2 & B2 act as servers, rolling balls to teammates from end line
o
A3 & B3 chase balls – keep game moving
O
X
A2
B2
A1
*
A3
•
B1
B3
10 x 20
1 v 1 to Goal
1 v 1 - Midfield Server
o
Start with defender back-peddling – NOT stealing the ball
o
X is Attacker, O is Defender; O marks X
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Next, have both players go 100%
o
X must move to create space, at times with her back to the goal
o
If defender steals the ball, she passes to the next offensive player – on
touchline
o
Server (S) passes to X
o
o
Practice on both wings and middle of the field
X will either turn and attack defender, or pass back to server and try to get
open again
o
X should make diagonal runs back for the ball, at a 45 angles to make
space
OO
O
X
O

X

S
XX
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Soccer How-Tos
Small-Sided Games
4 v 1 in a Grid
3 v 1 in a Grid
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Keep away in a small area – 10 by 10
o
More movement than 4 v 1
o
Start with defender walking, then half speed, then full speed
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Player making pass supports the pass
o
Ball MUST stay in the grid! – Control the ball!
o
Player not receiving pass must quickly move through dead space
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Pass to “live” players – avoid passing to “dead” space
o
Emphasize proper supporting distances and proper angles.
•
X
X
•
X
X
O
X
O
X
X
Line Soccer – 1 v 1
Line Soccer - Diagram
o
Setup two parallel lines of cones – 10-20 yards apart, cones every 4-6 feet
o
Girls lineup on each line – each between a set of cones – their “goals”
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Number girls in the line 1 to 5
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Coach calls a number and serves the ball
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The two called players go 1 v 1; remaining players defend their goals
o
Player MUST make one back-pass to her “team” before taking a shot
o
Goals are scored on defended mini-goals only – shots below the knee
Options:
o
Add end goals, players can score on sides or ends!
o
Call two numbers for 2 v 2
o
End goals only. Players run around perimeter, around goal and then
attack the ball
o
Serve balls in the air!
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Soccer How-Tos
Small-Sided Games
2 v 2 to Two Lines & 2 v 2 to Two Goals
4 v 4 to Goal – Across Zones
2 v 2 to Two Lines
o Pairs of players on field 20 yards long by 15 yards wide; one ball
o
Set up 4 zones from one end of field (Zone 4) towards goal (Zone 1)
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Assign Defenders to each Zone: 2 in Zone 3, 1 each in Zones 2 and 1
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Object is to dribble the ball across the opposite end line
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Attackers begin in Zone 4. Each attacker has a ball
o
If one team succeeds, they step on ball and leave it for other team
o
Attackers must dribble through zones 3 and 2 before being able to shoot in
Zone 1
2 v 2 to Two Goals
o Add small goals on each end line with cones 2-3 yards apart
o
Defenders can only defend in their assigned zone
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Now players should at every chance
o
Emphasize:
o
Restart by scored-on team dribbling out of own end
1
O
O
Pressure & Cover,
O
Don’t collapse on defense
O
2
3
X X X X 4
3 v 3
4 v 4
o
Field is 30 yards long by 20 yards wide; cone goals – 4 yards wide
o
Field is about 40 x 20 yards, cone goals – 4-8 yards wide
o
Restarts by kick-in or throw-in from side lines; regular goal & corner kicks
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With or without Keepers (adjust goals accordingly)
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With or without Keepers (adjust goals accordingly)
o
Kickoff from midfield – after goal, kick-in from back line
o
Options:
o
No throw-ins, kick-ins instead; regular goal & corner kicks
o
Emphasize diamond shape
o
Option: Shadow Defense – no stealing or tackling, just pressure
o
Free play – regular 3 on 3 game
o
No passing in attack zone
o
No passing at all! – promotes aggression for the ball
o
Silent team – only one team can talk!
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Soccer How-Tos
Small-Sided Games
Team Game to Emphasis Passing
1 v 1
o
Players on the sidelines are passers, cannot go into the field
o
Must make two passes before you are able to score
o
5 passes equals two goals
o
Must keep ball below knee height
o
Use all the field area – pass backwards, sideways, forward
o
o
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
o
o
o
Dribbling: each player has a ball; confined space – grid or center circle
a. Dribble into the open space, avoid other players while staying in grid
b. Coach becomes a defender – moves through the grid stealing any loose
balls
c. Players must shield the ball from each other. If a player finds a loose
ball, they can kick it out of the grid. If a player dribbles out of the grid,
they are out. Last player in the grid wins.
Time two defenders, see how long it takes to knock all balls out of grid.
Have a competition to find the quickest defenders
Using a grid, spread team on the different sides and keep two defenders
inside the grid. One at a time, call for each side to dribble across the grid to
reach the other side. The defenders try to steal balls as players make their
way across the grid.
Shield in pairs – One player tries to shield the ball from his partner while
staying inside the grid. To start, the defender cannot tackle from behind –
must run around the front and steal.
Dribbling at speed with fakes
a. Each player on their own across the field
b. With a defender back peddling, but not stealing
c. With a defender trying to steal the ball
2 v1 Movement
1. X2 checks in or out to crate space from O
2. X2 runs in front of the defender into the space to receive the ball
3. X2 runs behind the defender to receive the ball in the space
4. X1 takes O in one direction and X2 runs behind him/her with the ball into the space he/she created
5. X1 shields the ball from O, X2 runs in the other direction, receives the ball from X1 as they cross, and moves into the space ceated
1.
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2
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