EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FOR GRASSROOTS SOCCER COACHES
Young players can often get bored by fitness exercises, they just want to play.
So keep their interest high when they come to training by giving a game from Michael Beale’s 64 Small-Sided Soccer Games manual. The games are a great way of giving your players a good workout.
Two teams of four players, one goal, one keeper and a large number of balls.
Pairs of players take turns at attacking in a 2v2 situation and then immediately defending a 2v2 situation.
Play the game continuously for a set time period or until a set number of goals is scored.
in Email newsletters, Pre-season, Small Sided Games
Small-sided games are a great way to give your players lots of touches of the ball and get them back on track for playing matches. Try these four small-sided games that work on different aspects of your players’ technique. A great tactic to practice in a small-sided game is counter-attacking after winning the ball at... MORE
This is not only really good heading practice but at the coach’s call it turns into a small-sided game with lots of coaching points: heading technique, concentration, focus and quick passing. Check local rules for heading age groups MORE
This game is all about pressing high. It will help both individual roles and team movement when pressing opponents in their own half of the pitch, starting from their defensive third. MORE
in Pre-season, Small Sided Games
Turning up for friendly games, or for the first match of the season, needs planning. Do your players know where to play or what tactics you will use? Do they know if it’s 7v7 or 9v9? You need to get your players into the swing of match play again so playing appropriate games and activities... MORE
in Attacking, Small Sided Games
This session is a good example of a fun activity that works on a number of levels. You can use it for possession and switching play practice, while it also works the defenders who must move quickly between zones when the ball is passed. MORE
in Shooting, Small Sided Games
This is a game to get all of your players scoring goals, so that your team is not relying on just one or two players. If you score goals from every position on the pitch your success will be guaranteed. MORE
