
Mark out a pitch that will big enough for a game for the size of group you have. Make sure you have 2 goals, 1 at either end. Split your group into two teams, making sure this is evenly done with a mixture of defenders, midfielders and strikers on each team. Put your defending players from your blues up against the attcking players from the reds in one half of the pitch and then put the attacking players from the blues against the defending players from the reds. Have the ball start with one of the defending teams, lets say the reds for example. The red defenders will have to get the ball to their attacking team whilst the blue team try and win the ball back. When the reds get the ball to their attacking team in the other half. 2 of the 4 players can go into the other half to join in the attack making this a 6v4 situation depending on numbers of the teams depends on how many people you allow to go in a support. But the team that are attacking dont have to have the extra 2, its just a maximum of how many can go into support, they could have 2 or 1 or none. This makes the players think are they going to risk being counter attacked and only have 2 in defense or 3 or 4 depending on how many went to attack. Once the red team have lost the ball the defending players that went to support then need to recover to their half for defending whilst the blue team do the same and attack them. same rule applies for the support players. Say the ball is won back by the blues attackers then they can attack goal straight away, encourage speed to exploit the defense.
Aim of this drill: - Work on counter attacking ability (Speed, numbers/not commiting everyone and be esposed at the back, support runs) - Defensive shape, pressure on the ball (Team and/or Individually) You can work on both or just focus on one certain topic.
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
Four Halloween-themed games sneak a full warm-up, finishing, rondo and small-sided game into one junior football session this week.
Deliberate heading is now out of U11 grassroots matches. Here is how to coach chest, thigh and foot control so your players still win the ball in the air.
Long-range goals doubled at the 2026 World Cup as teams sat deep. Here is how to coach when to shoot from distance, the technique, and the follow-up.