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Practice games

Alleys

2v1 to get over halfway, then 2v1 against the second defender to score.

Practice 13 min 6 to 12 players Half pitch 2016 to 2018

Brave 1v1 Win It, Keep It, Score Shooting and Scoring Pass, Receive, Heads Up Be brave

At a glance

  • 20 by 30 grid split in half, a goal at one end, no keeper. A defender in each half, a pair of attackers, and a pair passing at the side.
  • The pair plays 2v1 against the first defender to get over the halfway line.
  • Once over, the first defender stays put. Now it's 2v1 against the second defender, who guards the goal, and the pair tries to score.
  • After a goal, a miss or a defender winning it: the passing pair attacks, the attackers defend, the defenders go and pass.
  • Progress 1: The first defender can chase you over halfway, so near the goal it can be 2v2.
  • Progress 2: Ten seconds from the first pass to score.

If it's not working: No second defender: once over halfway, the pair just shoots.

Alleys: set-upPP1231 pass, 2 over halfway, 3 go at the next defender.20 m by 30 m
  • attackers
  • defenders
  • Ppair passing at the side
  • run
  • dribble
  • pass
  • 1in this order

One of the two alleys, with no keeper. The attacking pair plays 2v1 against the first defender to get over the halfway line. Once over, that defender stays in their half and it is 2v1 against the second defender, who also guards the goal. The next pair (P) passes to each other at the side. After each go, they attack, the attackers become the defenders, and the defenders go and pass.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Mark a 20 by 30 grid split in half, with a small goal at one end and no keeper.
  • One defender in each half. A pair of attackers with a ball, and a second pair passing to each other at the side of the alley.

Balls, bibs, cones and small goals. A 20 by 30 grid split in half with a small goal at one end and no keeper. Six players per alley: with 12, run two alleys side by side. With 7 to 11, an alley of 4 beside an alley of 6 (see How to play).

How to play

  • The attacking pair plays 2v1 against the first defender, trying to get over the halfway line.
  • Once over, the first defender must stay in their half. The pair plays 2v1 against the second defender, who also guards the goal, and tries to score.
  • A go ends on a goal, a miss or a defender winning the ball. Then the passing pair attacks, the attackers become the defenders, and the defenders go and pass at the side.
  • With 7 to 11, run an alley of 4 (two defenders and a pair, who swap after each go) beside an alley of 6. With an odd number, one pair is a three, so it's 3 against 1.

Keeping everyone moving

Two alleys side by side, and the next pair passes to each other at the side until their go.

Make it easier

  • No second defender: once over halfway, the pair just shoots.
  • Start with the defenders walking.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. The first defender can chase you over halfway, so near the goal it can be 2v2.
  2. Ten seconds from the first pass to score.
  3. Limit the touches each player has.

Three things to say

  • Pass when the defender comes to you.
  • Dribble when there's space.
  • Defenders: slow them down, stay on your feet.

Colts habit

Lift each other: the pass or the dribble, whichever helps your partner.

Both feet

Beat the first defender with the practice foot.

Heads up

Look for your partner before halfway.

For your birth year

Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.

2018
15 by 25 grid, so the defenders are closer and the pair has to decide quickly.
The Colts change: The booklet has a keeper. At Colts there is none: the second defender guards the goal. Two alleys side by side, and the next pair passes to each other at the side until their go.

Safety: Keep the area clear of bags and bottles. Stay on your feet, no slide tackles. No heading.