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Practice games

Attacking Zones

4v4 with wide areas and end zones: work the ball wide and inside to break into the end zone and shoot.

Game 22 min 10 to 12 players Half pitch 2016 to 2017

Win It, Keep It, Score Pass, Receive, Heads Up Lift each other

At a glance

  • 30 by 40: a middle area, a wide area down each side, and a 5 m end zone with 2 small goals at each end.
  • 2 blue and 2 yellow in the middle (3 each with 12), 1 of each in each wide area. Two end players in a third colour, one in each end zone.
  • Wide players stay wide. Middle players pass or dribble into an end zone, and you can only score from inside it.
  • End players join whoever has the ball and restart play. Swap roles every 3 minutes.
  • Progress 1: You must pass to an end player and get it back before you can score.
  • Progress 2: You must play off a wide player first, then an end player, before you can score.

If it's not working: End players can step forward off their end to receive.

Attacking Zones: set-upend zoneend zonewide areawide area1231 pass wide, 2 back inside, 3 into the end zone.30 m by 40 m
  • blue team
  • yellow team
  • end players
  • dribble
  • pass
  • 1in this order

A middle area, a wide area down each side and an end zone with two small goals at each end. 4v4: two in the middle and one in each wide area for each team. Two end players (grey here) stand in the end zones and play for whoever has the ball. A blue in the middle passes wide, the wide player gives it back inside, and a blue dribbles into the end zone to shoot. Swap roles every 3 minutes.

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

Set up

  • Mark a pitch 30 by 40 with a middle area, a wide area 6 m across down each side, and a 5 m end zone with 2 small goals at each end.
  • 4v4 (5v5 with 12): 2 blue and 2 yellow in the middle (3 each with 12), 1 of each in each wide area. Two end players in a third colour, one in each end zone.

A pitch 30 by 40: a middle area, a wide area 6 m across down each side, and a 5 m end zone with 2 small goals at each end. With 12, play 3v3 in the middle.

How to play

  • Play directionally, scoring in the small nets from inside the end zone.
  • Wide players stay in their wide area. Middle players pass and dribble to enter the end zone and score.
  • The end players play for whoever has the ball, so the team in the end zone has an extra player. An end player restarts play.
  • Change middle, wide and end roles every 3 minutes.

Keeping everyone moving

Swap roles every 3 minutes so nobody is stuck wide or at the end.

Make it easier

  • End players can step forward off their end to receive, so they are easier to find.
  • Count a goal when a middle player gets into the end zone with the ball.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. You must pass to an end player and get it back before you can score.
  2. You must play off a wide player first, then an end player, before you can score.
  3. Can score in any goal.
  4. If you pass wide, that player can swap with the wide player coming inside.

Three things to say

  • Use the wide player.
  • Open your body to face forward.
  • Take on your defender.

Colts habit

Lift each other: the end player's goal belongs to the whole move.

Both feet

Wide players cross with the practice foot.

Heads up

Look wide before you receive.

The Colts change: Swap roles every 3 minutes so nobody is stuck wide or at the end.

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

Keeping score: Goals scored after a pass wide and back.