Small sided games

 Here are some small sided games I've used in the past. These can be used as a new challenge for your group or to aid the learning outcome of a session. Do you have any? Post your ideas below!

Its well known these days the amount of benefits of using SSG's in training. It can be a more efficient way of coaching certain topics in a more game related environment. To help build game-craft skills and encompass more decision making situations.

There are so many variants of SSG's, many can be found on the Internet. A good source is "64 small sided games"

3-2-1

All outfield players start of with a points value of 3. If they score a goal they score their team 3 points, and there points value goes down to 2. If they score again they get 2 points for the team and their value goes down to 1 (and can't go lower than this)

Using a white board or something to make it easier to keep track of what values players have.

This points system should get the players problem solving (hopefully they will change positions so that the higher value players are in the attacking positions.

Progressions/adaptations

• Award points for providing assists
• Bonus points for 1st time finishing, weak foot etc..

Target player game

Mark off two areas at either end of the pitch for target players to operate in. Only the target player of each team can start in this area along with 1 defender from the opposing team. The target player must remain in this area (however the defending player can leave or swap with team mates whenever.

 

Teams can only score by combining with the target player. Ensure target players swap regularly.

Coaching points

• Movement of the target player, protecting the ball from defenders.
• Team mates to offer support to target player as quick as possible.

Progressions/adaptations

• No defending players are allowed in target area (until ball has entered area) 

All up to score

A game that i saw last summer, but has a lot of potential for coaching recovery runs, defending whilst outnumbered, scoring from an overload etc.

Play the game with the simple ruling that a team can only score if all of their players are in the attacking half. Both teams must always have one player in the attacking half (this can be a designated striker or the team can decide who stays up there)

Let me know if you have any questions, or ideas on how these can be progressed.

These drills were made using the FA Coaches App, which is available to download via the app store.