2v2 With Goalkeepers and Rotating Pairs
Pairs play 2v2 between two goals with goalkeepers. Short games, lots of shots and quick rotations keep the intensity high.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 8–14
- Duration
- 18 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing, 1v1 attacking, 1v1 defending, Goalkeeping
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:ShootingShot-stopping
- Tactical:Support playMarking
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
With goalkeepers in both goals, every attack can end in a shot. The pitch is short enough to shoot from anywhere, so players learn to finish early and to block shots. Waiting pairs stand by the posts and come on after each game.
Objective
Create and finish shooting chances in 2v2, and block shots when defending.
Organisation
- Pitch of 25 × 20 m with two goals (or one goal and a pop-up) and two goalkeepers.
- Three or four pairs; two play and the others wait by the posts with balls.
How it works
- Games of 90 seconds or first goal.
- The goalkeeper restarts quickly after a save or a goal.
- The losing pair leaves; the next pair enters immediately.
Coaching points
- Shoot as soon as you have a clear sight of goal.
- Second attacker: follow every shot for the rebound.
- Defenders: stay between the ball and the goal and block with your body.
- Goalkeepers: set your feet before each shot.
Progressions
- Goals from first-time shots count double.
- Reduce to 60-second games.
Regressions
- Make the pitch longer (30 m) so there is more time.
Variations
- Allow one bounce pass off the side-line coach as a wall.
Key principles
- Shoot early, follow in.
- Block the shot line.
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