Small-sided game · 18 seconds
Any Three Goals
A 5 v 5 small-sided game, from SoccerDrive, and a good one for any age group. Three small goals on each end line, no keepers, and a team can score in any of the three it is attacking. That changes everything about how both sides play: with three goals to aim at, one of them is usually free, so the job in attack is to spot it and move the ball there quickly rather than forcing the one that is covered. In defence nobody can camp in front of a goal, because the other two are open the moment they do; the five have to shift across together as a unit and cover all three. The restart is the character of the game: the second a goal goes in, the coach plays a new ball straight to the team that conceded, so it is end to end with no stoppage at all. Games are to three goals. 10 players, 5 v 5, no keepers, on a small field with three small goals on each end line.
Instructions
- 5v5 on a small field, three small goals on each end line, no keepers. A team can score in any of the three
- Three goals to aim at, so switch the ball quickly to attack the goal the defenders have left open
- Finish in whichever goal is free. Defenders cannot camp on a goal, they have to shift across and cover
- Score and the coach plays a new ball straight to the team that conceded. Games to three goals, fast transitions both ways
- Heads up and pick the open goal, switch the ball fast to the one the defenders have left
- Do not force one goal, if it is covered, move the ball and attack another
- Defend as a unit: shift across together to cover all three goals, do not ball-watch or camp on one
- Spread out in attack so all three goals are a threat
Variation
- Must complete a set number of passes before you can score. Add a two-touch limit to speed up the switching. Make the middle goal worth two to pull them in, or the outer goals worth two to force width.
Building lineups in seconds
Set your team sheet, plan your substitutions, and share it with the parents before you leave the car park.
