4v4+3 Possession Game
Two teams of four keep the ball with the help of three neutral players — one at each end and one inside — creating a 7v4 for the team in possession.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 11–14
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Positional game
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing
- Tactical: Ball possession, Decision making
- Physical: Endurance
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:Ball retentionSupport playWidthDepth
- Physical:Endurance
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Neutral / support
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
The 4v4+3 is one of the most useful possession games at every level. Neutrals give the team in possession a big overload, so players can focus on body shape, support angles and circulation. Because possession changes often, it also trains the reaction after winning or losing the ball.
Objective
Keep possession by creating passing angles and using the neutral players to escape pressure.
Organisation
- 25 × 20 m area.
- Two teams of four in bibs, plus three neutrals: one on each end line and one inside.
- Spare balls around the area.
How it works
- The team in possession plays with the three neutrals (7v4).
- End neutrals can move along their line; the inside neutral is free.
- Neutrals are limited to two touches and cannot pass to each other directly.
- Eight consecutive passes score one point.
- When the defending team wins the ball, they immediately play with the neutrals. 4 × 3 minutes.
Coaching points
- Make the pitch big in possession: width and depth.
- Support the ball carrier with angles on both sides and one further away.
- Use the end neutrals to switch the play when one side is crowded.
- Receive half-turned to play forward.
- When the ball is lost, press immediately for five seconds.
Progressions
- Team players limited to two touches.
- A point for a pass from one end neutral to the other through the team.
- Reduce to 4v4+2 (no inside neutral).
Regressions
- Unlimited touches.
- Make the area bigger (30 × 25 m).
Variations
- Directional: a team scores when an end neutral receives and passes to the opposite end neutral.
Key principles
- Width and depth.
- Support angles.
- Immediate reaction to loss.
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