Lay a small pitch out, with 2 small goals. Ensure the goals are small enough that players aren't tempted to make wild from far away.
Divide the players into 2 teams of equal ability, give each player a number, so that there are 2 of each number, one from each team (e.g. two 1's, two 2's, two 3's, etc). When doing this, try to give players of equal ability the same number.
All players stand on the outside of the pitch. Coach shouts a number and the player from each team with that numbers runs into the pitch to play 1v1. After an amount of time coach calls another number and the players with that number run in making it 2v2.
This continues (e.g. 3v3, 4v4, ..... all v all) until a goal is scored. At this point all players move back to the sideline and coach calls another number starting again at 1v1.
Encourage players to focus on the game - they should not be asleep when their number is called!
The game is all about adapting to the evolution of the teams. As new players come into the game the rest of the players should adapt to the reduced space and communicate to each other to adjust their formation and tactics.
in more ways than one
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in more ways than one
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Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.
Most 1v1s are lost in the first second, when the defender rushes in and dives. Teach your players to slow the attacker down, take away the dangerous option and pick the right moment, and they will win far more of them.
The FA's FutureFit framework lands this season, bringing a 3v3 entry format at Under-7s. Here is what actually changes on a Saturday morning, and how to coach it well.
