Michael Beale is the former assistant manager at Sao Paulo in Brazil. His previous roles include Liverpool's senior development coach and U23s manager, and youth development officer at Chelsea. He is the author of many manuals including the best selling 64 Small-Sided Games and Soccer Attack!
Both teams must try to win and keep possession of the ball. A goal is awarded to the team that completes a certain number of passes (a minimum of 5 for younger players). The game is played for a set time period. MORE
If your team hasn't won a match for a while, you need to get your players back to basics and working on their core skills. Try this small sided game to help them with their basic skills MORE
The 1v1 duel pitches two players in a tight situation where there can only be one winner. Who has got the determination and skill to claim the ball and dribble past their opponent to score a goal? MORE
This session helps defenders to use an overload to their advantage when attackers run centrally at them – they must press their opponents into making a mistake and win possession back. MORE
In every match there will be moments when the team us under a lot of aerial pressure. Defenders must be organised and put up a united front. Successful teams are often the most organised defensively. MORE
If you haven’t got the ball you won’t be able to win, so this game teaches teams how to move together to press the opposition all over the pitch and force a mistake that wins the ball. MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 30 yards Two teams of four players Five gates made from cones No goals Rules There are a number of ways this game can be played and scored: The player in possession must dribble through a gate to score. The player in possession must make a pass through the... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Four keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The players take a roll in The players take a... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players No goals Both teams must have two players on the pitch and two players on the outside of the pitch If the ball leaves play, pass a new ball onto the pitch Rules The... MORE
The attacking team receives a pass from the coach and after each ball is played, a new defender enters the pitch. The attacking team has a total of four attacks (4v1, 4v2, 4v3, 4v4). MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The players take a roll in The players take a throw in... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two end zones, 10 yards in from each goal-line Two teams of four players Two keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Four keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The players take a roll in The players take a... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Two empty goals No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The players take a roll in The players take... MORE
The passing team spread out into the 15 x 15 yard area and begin the game by playing 4v1. After 30 seconds, an extra defender is added to make the game 4v2, then another for 4v3, and then 4v4. MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two end zones, 10 yards in from each goal-line Two teams of four players Two keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Four mini target goals, one on each side of the pitch Rules One team attempts to keep possession. One team attempts to win the ball and score a goal. There are a number of... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) The pitch is divided into two attacking zones either side of a midzone Two teams of four players Two keepers One team work as the attackers One team split into two pairs and work as the defenders in each... MORE
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players Divide the pitch into two halves No goals Rules To start, pass a ball into one of the teams, and call for a player from the other team to go into that half and... MORE
You can use this small sided game as a warm up or warm down – the winning team is the first to have all four players on the pitch and complete 6 consecutive passes. MORE
