Small-sided game

A small-sided game to finish the session: a proper match, two teams to small goals, no goalkeepers. 5v5 is a good default, but scale it to your numbers. The smaller the sides, the more every player is on the ball.

Young (U5 to U8)Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Small-sided gamesPassing & receivingFun & games

Created by Danny Jordan

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In play

The setup

Step by step

A game to two small goals, no goalkeepers. 5v5 is a good default; scale the sides and the pitch to your numbers. Smaller is better, every player gets more of the ball.

Age group

Young (U5 to U8), Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)

Duration

15 to 20 mins

Players

5v5 is a good default, but scale it to your numbers. Smaller is better: 3v3 for the youngest, 4v4 for younger groups. Keep sides small, more than 7 or 8 a side and players drift out of the game and hide.

Area

A pitch scaled to the numbers and age (smaller for fewer or younger players), with two small goals and no goalkeepers.

Equipment

Cones for the pitch, two small goals, bibs in two colours, a ball.

FA Four Corners: what this develops

Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial

Objective

Let the players apply the session in a game. Keep it a game first; the smaller the sides, the more each player is involved.

Set up

Two small goals, no goalkeepers, a pitch scaled to the group. Split into two even teams in different bibs. 5v5 is the default; drop to 4v4 or 3v3 for younger or smaller groups.

Coaching points

Keep the sides small. More than 7 or 8 a side and players drift out of the game and hide.
Smaller games are better for younger players. 3v3 is ideal for the youngest, so they get far more touches.
Scale the pitch to the numbers and the age group.
Keep it a game first; let the session's focus show up naturally, then condition it lightly if you want.

Progressions

Condition it to the session focus, for example a goal counts double once a team strings three or more passes together.
Change the pitch size, the goal size, or add a neutral player to tip the balance.