5v5 to Four Mini-Goals
Each team attacks two mini-goals placed near the corners. When the defence shifts to one goal, the attack switches to the other. A game that rewards scanning and switching play.
- Age
- U11–U19
- Players
- 10–12
- Duration
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 40 × 30 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing
- Tactical: Switching play, Decision making
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:Switching playWidthScanningShifting
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Pass
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Two goals per team mean the defending team can never protect everything, so the attacking team learns to draw the opponent to one side and switch. Without goalkeepers, games are fast and full of shots. Defenders learn to shift and to decide when to leave a goal.
Objective
Switch the point of attack to the goal the defence leaves open.
Organisation
- Pitch of 40 × 30 m with two mini-goals on each end line, 5 m in from the corners. Two teams of five.
How it works
- Normal game; goals can be scored in either mini-goal.
- Goals scored from inside the attacking half only.
- 4 × 5 minutes.
Coaching points
- Look at both goals before you receive.
- If the defence goes to one side, switch quickly with two passes.
- Defenders: shift together; the far player protects the second goal.
Progressions
- A goal after a switch (ball crossing the centre lane) counts double.
Regressions
- Bigger goals or a bigger pitch.
Variations
- Add a central goal with goalkeeper (three goals per team).
Key principles
- Draw them in, switch, score.
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