Small-sided games ยท U8 to adult

4v4 with keepers

Four outfield players a side with keepers in full goals. A brilliant all-round game: every player attacks, defends, shoots and makes decisions every minute.

U8 to adultAges
10Players
30 x 20 mArea
15 to 20 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

Set-up

  • Two goals with keepers; balls in each goal for quick restarts.
  • Two teams of four outfield players.

Equipment: 2 goals, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Play a normal game with kick-ins or dribble-ins from the side.
  2. Keeper restarts immediately after a goal or save.
  3. Play 4-minute games and rotate teams or positions.

Coaching points

  • Diamond shape: one back, two wide, one forward.
  • Shoot whenever you can.
  • Win it back straight away after losing it.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Bigger goals, no offside, unlimited touches

Make it harder

  • Two-touch
  • Goal only counts if every player is in the opposition half

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

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