One of two pitches side by side, a goal at each end; every five minutes the shape changes, for example a lamp post goes in or the goals turn sideways.
Set up
- Mark two pitches side by side with discs, one goal at each end of each pitch.
- Keep 4 tall cones and spare discs by the pitch.
- Split children into two games by random bib draw.
- Keep a card showing the pitch shapes in your pocket.
8 to 12 children. Two pitches running at the same time, starting at about 25 m by 15 m, with the shape changing every 5 minutes.
How to play
- Play 3v3 or 4v4 on each pitch.
- Every 5 minutes, blow the whistle. Children freeze while the coach, or two children, change the pitch shape in 30 seconds.
- Shapes to use: Long street (narrow and long), Wide road (short and wide), Lamp post (a tall cone in the middle that nobody may touch), Corner shop (an L-shape), Tiny doors (goals turned sideways).
- Kick-off happens straight after each change.
- No scores are kept between shapes.
Keeping everyone moving
Two pitches run at once. Children help change shapes, so nobody stands and waits. Finishers swap in every 2 minutes.
Make it easier
- Use wide and short shapes, which give more space.
- Allow dribble goals only (the ball must be stopped on the line).
Make it harder
- Use the Long street shape with a 2-touch rule.
- Add the Lamp post plus a rule that goals only count after a pass round the post.
Three things to say
- Children spotting where the space is in each new shape.
- Children changing direction and speed to fit the pitch.
- Children talking to each other about the new layout.
Words that work: "Brave to try that on a crazy pitch!", "Great work adjusting fast!", "Nice, you helped your team understand the new shape!"
Colts habit
Each team elects a pitch leader (a different child each time) to explain the new shape to their team.
Both feet
In the Corner shop shape, goals only count if the corner is turned using the other foot.
Heads up
After each change, children must point to where the space is before kick-off.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- 3v3, 3 shapes per session, a coach changes the pitch.
- 2018 to 2019
- 4v4, children choose the next shape.
- 2016 to 2017
- 5v5 on bigger pitches, children design one new shape and name it.
Safety: Keep tall cones away from goalmouths. Check that no shape puts a goal near a wall, fence or path. No heading.
Keeping score: Children say which shape was hardest and try to score on that shape next week.