Small-Sided Football Drills

Small-sided football, aka soccer in the United States, takes the traditional 11-man roster and shrinks it, usually to four to six. This makes it easier for everybody, especially younger children, to stay interested and be more involved in the game. As such, practice is still needed to improve skills. Small-sided soccer drills help players learn to handle the ball and play as a team. Having fewer players helps by giving them more individual time with the coach.

  1. Shooting and Finish

    • A field roughly the size of a penalty area is used and the center point is marked with cones. Each side uses four defenders and two attackers. The attackers must stay on the offensive side of the field and defenders stay in the defensive end. The point of the drill is to take shots. Defenders can shoot from their end of the field and attackers follow up on rebounds. The number of touches before a shot should be limited. The drill teaches players how to quickly react to shots as well as second chances on rebounds.

    Rat Race

    • There are two teams, attackers and defenders, but the drill starts as a one-on-one. The attacker tries to get around the defender, and if he gets a shot on goal his team gets one point. If the defender stops him, the defender's team gets a point. Changing the starting point of the defender adds difficulty to the drill. At any time, the coach will instruct additional players from either team to join the game. He may add an even number on each side or create imbalances for added difficulty. The coach can teach players how to work together to take advantage of situations or what to do in difficult odd-man attacks.

    You're Outta Here

    • This fast-paced drill focuses on dribbling, passing, shooting and teamwork skills. A penalty box-sized area is marked and players are divided into even teams of four to six. Only one player from each team begins the game. The player who scores first gets a point for his team, but also gets an additional teammate to join in the game, making it a two against one. This pattern continues for every goal. If a defending player manages to clear the ball by kicking it out of bounds, teams go back to one against one. Players should be switched often. Requiring that each player has at least one touch before a shot is made will make the drill more difficult, as well as teach passing skills and teamwork.

    Three-Team Keepaway

    • Three teams of four to six players play this drill which emphasizes teamwork; ball possession and control; and short, quick passes. The field is marked off by cones and can be adjusted in size based on player skill level and age. One team is designated as defenders while the other two teams work together to play keep-away from the defenders by passing. Each successful pass awards one point to the passing team. When the defending team intercepts the ball, the team responsible for losing it becomes the defenders.