Soccer problem solving using changing pitch dimensions

The 4v4 system is about solving problems, the players respond to the area you have marked out for them, all the elements of a real game are there for them to understand. However, sometimes the correct pitch layout is not enough, your team has a problem but you are not creating a situation to solve it. This is where changing the pitch dimensions helps.
Enlarging the soccer brain

To get your soccer coaching point across you may need to make the elements different. Your team is struggling to cope with the matches they play, they are losing and however much you drill and train, on match day they are not progressing. On the other hand, another team is finding the correct 4v4 pitch too easy and needs a greater challenge. Changing the elements means the coach can use the existing structure to get his message across more clearly.

Solving the soccer problem

Learning is the key to the soccer coaching sessions you're running, otherwise you’re wasting your time and your team’s time. This is the mental side of the game. Showing the players how to solve the problem adds to their soccer brain.

The elements force the play

Changing the dimensions of the field is a quick fix to a lot of problems. Making the field larger gives the attackers and midfielders more space to show off their soccer skills. If a team is not scoring, increase the size of the pitch until they learn how to pass and shoot and score. Gradually reduce the pitch to the normal size and they will have learned what they have to do to score. Making the field smaller helps the defending team by reducing the amount of space they have to cover.

Turning defence into attack

Look at the example illustrated. The team is not taking advantage when they win the ball to turn defence into attack. Using a long narrow layout with small goals funnels the players into fast, direct attack through the middle of the pitch.

Attacking small goals needs swift passing to break the defenders down and create opportunities to score. You are encouraging fast passing soccer (football) which is the essence of 4v4. If your team can do it during your soccer coaching drill sessions, watch them go in matches.