2-2 drills
Rondos, patterns of play and pressing practices that fit a 2-2, plus a session plan you can run this week.
The best way to coach a 2-2 is to train the moments the shape creates. Two up top work as a pair: one short, one long. Two defenders cover each other: one presses, one covers.
Your assistant coach: line your squad up in it, track who played where and see if it gets results.
With the ball
- Two up top work as a pair: one short, one long.
- Defenders step in with the ball when there's space.
Without the ball
- Two defenders cover each other: one presses, one covers.
- Front two block passes into midfield.
A 2-2 session plan (75 minutes)
- Warm-up (10 min): Robin Hood's treasure. Everyone on the ball from the first minute.
- Skill practice (15 min): 3v1 triangle rondo. Lots of touches, lots of success.
- Main practice (20 min): 2v2 to four goals. Focus: attacking play, built for your formation.
- Game (30 min): 3v3 end-zone game. Finish with a game: it's what they came for, and the best test of the session.
Got fewer players this week? Build a session for your numbers →
Rondos for a 2-2
2-2 patterns of play and build-up
4-4-2 strike partnership: one short, one long
Patterns of play · 6 to 10 plus a keeper · U11 to adult
5-a-side diamond rotation (1-2-1)
Patterns of play · 5 to 10 · U7 to U10
Playing out from the back 3v2 (plus keeper)
Build-up play · 6 to 8 · U9 to adult
Retreat line build-up game (Future Fit)
Build-up play · 10 to 14 including keepers · U8 to U11
5v5 2-2 square rotation
Patterns of play · 5 to 10 plus a keeper · U8 to U10
Keeper roll-out and support angles (5v5)
Build-up play · 5 to 10 plus a keeper · U7 to U10
Pressing, defending and transitions
3v3 press and win (pressing in threes)
Pressing · 6 to 12 · U9 to U14
Counter-attack 3v2 to goal
Transitions · 8 to 14 plus keepers · U10 to adult
Continuous waves: 2v1 into 3v2
Transitions · 9 to 16 plus keepers · U8 to U14
1v1 defending: show them outside
Defending · 6 to 16 · U8 to adult
2v2 cover and balance
Defending · 8 to 16 · U9 to adult
Curved runs: cut off the switch (2v3)
Pressing · 5 to 10 · U11 to adult
Swap! Transition game for young players
Transitions · 6 to 10 · U7 to U10
Also works well
2v2 to four goals
Small-sided games · 4 per pitch · U6 to U12
3v3 end-zone game
Small-sided games · 6 per pitch · U7 to U13
Receiving on the half-turn
Passing · 6 to 12 · U9 to adult
Cross and finish: near post, far post
Shooting and finishing · 8 to 14 plus a keeper · U10 to adult
Striker movement: check away, then go
Shooting and finishing · 4 to 10 plus a keeper · U10 to adult
Robin Hood's treasure
Dribbling · 6 to 16 · U5 to U9
4v4 with four corner goals
Small-sided games · 8 to 10 · U8 to U14
5v5 game with the build-out rule
Small-sided games · 10 to 12 including keepers · U8 to U9
3v3 pass or dribble goals
Small-sided games · 6 (or more pitches) · U7 to U12
3v3 festival game (no keepers)
Small-sided games · 6 per pitch · U6 to U8
5v5 with two floaters
Small-sided games · 12 · U9 to adult
Futsal-style 5v5
Small-sided games · 10 plus subs · U8 to adult
Dribble-in restarts game
Small-sided games · 10 to 14 · U7 to U11
Drills for other 5v5 formations
Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.
Questions
What drills suit a 2-2?
Start with a rondo that copies the shape (4v1 rondo), then practise the patterns the shape creates: two up top work as a pair: one short, one long. Finish with a game where your team plays the 2-2.
How do you train a 2-2 without the whole squad?
Work in units: the back line and holding players on build-up, the attackers on their combinations, then bring them together in a phase of play. Every drill here lists how many players it needs.