Small-sided Game: support play

Goal:
Equipment
  • Markers
  • 2 mini-goals
  • 8 cones
  • 5 vests
  • Balls
Preparation
  • Playing Area: 31x25 meters / 34x27 yards
  • Players: 10
  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • Series: 2 of 6 minutes each with 3 minutes of recovery in between 
Small-sided Game: support play

Summary

Small-sided game to improve ball possession and support play

Organization

Create a 31x25-meter/34x27-yard field with four cones placed at the vertices. Place four more cones to mark out a 25x3-meter/27x3-yard area at each end of the field (yellow areas in the picture). Place the mini-goals on opposite sides of the 25x25-meter/27x27-yard playing square in a central position, facing each other. Form two teams of five players. Ball to the coach to start the drill.

Description

  • Coach throws the ball starting the drill with a ball duel between the two teams
  • A 5 v 5 Small-sided Game is played
  • The team in possession of the ball may bring a player to the back area of the opponent's mini-goal which serves as a deep outside support for verticalization
  • The team that scores the most points wins

 

Rules

  • Within the 25x25-meter/27x27-yard playing area between the two mini-goals, the number of touches is limited to three
  • Inside the two areas behind the mini-goals, the number of touches is free
  • Each goal is worth 1 point
  • The goal is worth 2 points if it occurs with one touch after a pass coming from a teammate positioned in the area behind the mini-goal (example shown in the picture)
  • The player positioned in the zone behind the mini-goal cannot be attacked by opponents

Variations

  1. Decrease the size of the field and play a 4 v 4, keeping one player per team stationary off the field in turn (rotation of players every minute)
  2. Place one goalkeeper in the center of each side, for a total of four
  3. Add a joker who plays with the team in possession of the ball (numerical superiority in possession)

Coaching Points

  • The drill aims to improve goal-oriented ball possession
  • Stimulate players to use the support of a teammate positioned behind the mini-goals, bringing 2 points to the team for each one-touch goal
  • The player behind the mini-goals has the opportunity to maintain possession (free touches), calling on the teammates
  • Once the player behind the opponent's goalkeeper has been served, teammates must move up quickly to receive the support and try to finish on goal
  • The drill must be carried out at a fast pace
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