Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 4 Goal Game

Animation 1

Organization: 35x40 yard field, 4 small goals, 2 teams of 6 or 7, 1 player for each team is off the field with all of the balls on the yellow cone

Description: The 2 teams play against each other 7v6 or 6v5 to the small goals.  Activity begins with the players at the yellow cones and starts with them after every goal scored or out of bounds (play keeps after goals scored).  The team in possession has the extra player, which is the player from the yellow cone.  Once a team loses possession, that extra player is off and back to the yellow cone while the other extra player joins the attack for the other team.  Rotate the player on the yellow cone.  First team to 3 goals wins.  Quick punishment for losing team. 

Coaching Points:

- When in possession, spread out and make the field big

- Move the ball quickly side to side while trying to penetrate forward finding the mids and forward

- Which door is open?  Switch fields

- Wings should stay wide with heels on sideline and giving a good passing angle when the ball is on their side or switching to their side.  Then pinch in when the ball is on the other side

- Center mid and forward should look to arrive in space  for teammates while also staying on different lines from each other 

- Patient in the build up, circulate, keep the ball, find the free player 

- Play and run forward

- Defensively, keep other team in front of you, shift side to side as a unit staying compact, don't let the other team play through you