1) Here we have an endurance fitness orientated small sided game. In this example, Red in his own half plays the ball into his team-mate's feet.

2) The Red forward lays the ball off to Red on the wing. He passes to a team-mate behind the goal.

3) Red plays the ball in front of goal with 1 touch.

4) Red coming from deep sees his shot saved. Players work for 2 mins then 2 active players are replaced by two passive players. Thus, all players work for 4 mins & rest for 2 mins.

LEFT-CLICK image to start animation & REMOVE MOUSE CURSOR from image to return to original image. For an explanation of the various symbols, CLICK HERE. For Flash version -

- Two teams of 6v6 with 4 active players on each team and two passive players positioned behind each opposition goal who can be played off (these players are only allowed 1 touch).
- Small designated area (size up to coach e.g. 60x40 metres), 2 goals & plenty of soccer balls.

- Add and vary ratios of teams, click here to see variation 1.
- Vary size of playing surface.
- One or two touch play.
- Divide into zones to limit movement.

- Players must work hard as this is a very good way of building up endurance (especially as the session stimulates match conditions and the player's heart rates are at levels required to build endurance capacities). The ball should be in play as much as possible, substitutions made quickly and games should last around 15 minutes.
- Top level clubs often use heart rate testers to measure work loads during small sided games...

For Flash version of this session - For other animated coaching drills, please visit our archive !

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