Football (soccer) drill library: Game
Game exercises help players understand the basics of the game and develop their playing skills.
Drills: Game
Basic game (e.g. 3v3 / 4v4)
Praise for brave dribbling and feints.
Game with Three Groups
Game played with three groups, one group at a time on the sideline. Can be played as 3v3v3 or 2v2v2. Keep the game tempo fast, the coach puts a new ball in play when the previous one goes out of bounds. Playing teams change quickly, for example, whenever a goal is scored on the field -> the team that scored continues on the field and the other goes to the sideline. Can be played as a competition, e.g., "championship tournament" where the first team to stay on the field for 3 consecutive goals wins the championship. Instead of goals, you can also rotate every 1-2 minutes if one team seems dominant.
Mini tournament
Players' favorite Progressive Field Games! The number of fields can be scaled according to the number of players. Can also be played on six fields with small goals, for example. Games can be anything from 2v2 to 5v5. Typically, each game lasts 4-5 minutes. One field is designated as the "top field," which players aim to reach. After each game, the winning team moves up to the next field, while the losing team moves down. Winners on the top field stay there, and losers on the bottom field remain there. In case of a tie, the winner is decided by a quick method like rock-paper-scissors. You can assign names to the fields for added motivation. For instance, the top field could be called "Premier League" and the bottom field "Lower Division." The final is the last game of the day on the top field, and its winner is crowned the overall champion of the Progressive Field Games. This drill keeps all players engaged, encourages competitive play, and helps develop quick decision-making skills in small spaces - key elements in modern football training.
Game: Ball Quickly into Play
The coach places balls along the sidelines. The idea of the game's speed is that when the ball goes over the sideline, the team continuing play can take the nearest ball from any edge and continue the game immediately. You can additionally use, for example, a three-second rule when starting from the sidelines (make a decision before the coach counts to three).
Color Signal Game
Two goals at both ends of the field (e.g., a mini goal and a gate goal, or two gate goals marked with different colors). The coach indicates the current target goal using a color signal (e.g., by holding up a cone of the same color). Can be modified according to objectives, for example, by adding a scoring area if needed to prevent random shooting. Can also be scored, for instance, 1 point per goal in either goal, 2 points per goal in the correct color goal.
Four-zone 5v5
5v5 small-sided game with goals. Before scoring, the ball must visit all four zones (the field is divided into four parts). When the defending team wins possession, they have five seconds to score. If no goal is scored within five seconds, the ball must again visit all four zones before a new scoring attempt. When the ball goes out of bounds or a goal is scored, the coach puts a contested ball in the air.
3v3 to different colored goals
3v3 game with four goals. There are goals of two different colors on the field, and the coach either raises a colored cone or shouts a color that determines which goals the teams can attack. If the ball goes out of bounds, the coach quickly restarts the game with a new contested ball.
Reaction Game: Attack or Defend?
Two teams in the middle area. Everyone dribbles their own ball within the area. When the coach shouts (e.g. non-bibs/bibs) or raises a bib/empty hand, that team starts trying to score. The other defending team leaves their ball in place and starts defending their goal. After winning the ball, they try to score in the opponent's goal.
1v1 --> 3v3+goalkeepers
The games start from a 1v1+goalkeepers situation and the aim is to score a goal. If a player (for example blue) scores a goal, they must touch the post of their own goal. The team that conceded a goal gets one additional player from the sideline and retrieves a new ball from the other sideline. This creates a 2v1 situation. The game is continuously in progress and if the ball goes over the sidelines, the player who retrieves the ball fastest from the sideline can continue the game. The winning team is the one that manages to exhaust all the opponent's players from the sideline. Make sure there are enough balls on the sideline.
Final game with forbidden area
A final game with a forbidden area in the middle. Players are not allowed to step into the area, but they can pass the ball through it. The purpose of the exercise is to eliminate "swarm play", where everyone chases the ball.
End Zone Game with Jokers
Create two teams and assign jokers to the two zones at the ends of the area. The jokers are always on the side of the team in possession. Before starting, agree on the initial attacking direction for each team. In the picture, the red team scored the first point by passing to the joker in the right end zone. After a goal, the attacking directions change, meaning the red team gets the ball back from the joker and now aims to pass to the joker in the left end zone. If the opposing team scores, the conceding team also changes their attacking direction, ensuring that both teams are not attacking the same end at the same time. The game can be played with more players than shown in the picture. Count the goals!
End Zone Game
Create goal areas at both ends of the field. The aim is to play the ball into the end zone with a pass, but the receiving player cannot be waiting in the area ready for the pass. After a goal is scored, the fastest player to retrieve the ball from the sideline continues the game.
End game with mandatory progression over the halfway line.
End game where a goal is only valid if all outfield players have advanced beyond the halfway line. The aim is to activate defenders to also move up with the play, rather than staying deep in their own half.
2v2 tournament
Play short 2-minute 2v2 matches on numbered fields. The winner always moves up in numbers and the loser moves down. Collect the balls between the fields, from where the quickest player can grab the ball back into play whenever the ball goes into the goal / out of bounds. The game can be played without goalkeepers, with the lower player as goalkeeper, or with a pre-agreed goalkeeper.
Advancing by passing
The drill is played with two teams whose goal is to get past the center line only by passing. Dribbling over the center line is prohibited. Teams should focus on quick and accurate passes as well as movement without the ball to create advancement opportunities. After a goal is scored, the goalkeeper of the scoring team always puts a new ball into play. Count the goals!
Progressing to the End Lines
Game is played with two teams, where the attacking team (red) has four players and the defending team (black) has three. The objective is to progress over the end line either by passing or dribbling. The game starts from your own end with a dribbled ball. The attacking team's formation is 1-2-1 and the defending team plays either 2-1 or 1-2. After the defending team wins the ball, they try to score in one of the two small goals.
Final game with widening and narrowing
Can be played with 5v5 and 8v8 formats. Two teams play a final game where the team in possession must have one player on each wing channel. The defending team must have all players concentrated in the central channels. Simply put, attack wide and defend compact.
Final game with forbidden areas 2
A final game where the corners are forbidden areas. The aim is to straighten the play towards the opponent's goal and at the same time learn to compact when defending. Corner kicks can be taken normally.
Heading Game
In this drill, players progress by heading the ball. The ball is thrown to oneself and headed to a teammate or into the goal. When the ball is on the ground, the quickest player can pick it up with their hands.
Football Tennis
Football tennis, where cones are used as a "net". Particularly suitable for playing in school halls, for example. The size of the field and number of players can vary. The game starts with a serve from behind the back line. The serve is made by kicking the ball in the air to the opponent's side. The ball is allowed to bounce once on the ground before contact (or more, if agreed). A player or team can use a maximum of three touches before returning. Touches can be made with any body part except the hands. The ball must be returned over the net before the allowed touches run out. The ball must not hit the net or go outside the boundaries. Use of hands is prohibited.
3v3 + attacking wide players on both sides
3v3 + attacking wide players on both sides with four goals. Support players are not allowed to score, but they provide crosses and passing options from wide areas in the opponent's defensive zone. Support players' touches can be limited to two.
Small-sided game in the penalty area
Small-sided game in the penalty area. The attacking team scores a goal if they complete six consecutive passes. The defending team can score by making a clearance into either of the two small goals after winning possession.
3v3 with four goals
3v3 game, where the aim is to spread the play. One team resting on the side. When the ball goes out of bounds or into a goal, the coach puts a contested ball into play. Play 2min matches and rotate teams. Can be played as a tournament, where a win gives 3 points, a draw 1 and a loss 0.
5v3 build-up play
The drill starts from the yellow team's goalkeeper, who plays the ball to a defender. In the defensive area, there is a 3v1 situation where one player from the opposing team (black) presses the yellow team. The yellow team's objective is to progress beyond the marked line and score in either of the two small goals. In the attacking area, there is a 2v2 situation. Once they cross the marked line, free play begins. After winning the ball, the black team tries to score quickly.
Build, Break Through, Finish
Players are divided into two teams. The field is divided into four sections. Both end sections have three defending players. In the two middle sections, there are three players from the same team in each section. 1. The game starts from the goalkeeper, who passes to a defender (yellow). 2. The closest opposing player (blue) is allowed to press from the next area. The other two prevent passing lanes while staying in their area. 3. The yellow team's objective is to play the ball to their own team players positioned higher up the field. 4. If the pass through the opponent's line succeeds, the three yellow players try to score against two blue defenders and the goalkeeper. 5. If the ball is recovered by the defending team, free play begins. When the ball goes into the goal or out of bounds, play continues from the goalkeeper.
3v3 with six goals
Play 3v3 with six goals. When the ball goes out of play, the fastest player can fetch a new ball from the sideline.
3v3 + jokers on the wings
Players are divided into two teams and joker players who support the team in possession are positioned on both wings. The game is free play, but you can limit the number of touches for the jokers to e.g. two depending on the level of the players. The goal is to progress toward scoring. Defenders cannot press the jokers outside the playing area, and the jokers cannot enter the playing area.
3v3 + target players at the ends
A 3v3 game is played in the area with both teams having target players at the ends of the area. At the beginning, we determine the initial attack directions, e.g., yellow attacks to the left and red to the right. The aim is to pass the ball to your team's target player at the end of the area. At each end, there is also the opposing team's target player whose task is to prevent the pass. If a team manages to pass the ball to their target player, the target player tries to return the ball back into play to their team, and the team's attack direction now changes to the other end. One point is awarded to the team for each successful pass to their target player.
Inverted Goals
The goals are placed in the middle of the playing area "back-to-back". A normal game is played with two teams.
5v5 in safe zone
"Safe zones" are marked in the playing area, where the opponent is not allowed to enter. Players practice staying calm and controlling the game in their own defensive area, as well as opening the play. The number of players in their own "safe zone" is not limited, but the aim is to also use the goalkeeper to help with build-up play. Goal scoring also happens from outside the "safe zone", meaning players practice creating spaces for shooting.
Progression play through lines
The area is divided into five different sections. The end zones and middle area are slightly larger. Two defenders per section in the intermediate lanes. The goal is to play the ball to the opposite end zone. 1. Red players in possession attempt to find passing lanes to players in the next section. 2. After a successful pass, players move to the next area.
3v3 with goal areas
Played with two teams (there can also be more players). Players aim to score by passing to a teammate in the goal area (areas marked with cones). After a goal is scored, the game continues automatically without interruptions. When the ball goes out of bounds, the quickest player retrieves a new ball from the sideline. As a variation, it can be agreed that players cannot stand in the goal area waiting, but must move into the goal area only after the pass has been played by the player in possession.
Scoring Zone Game
The playing area has five scoring zones at both ends, which are worth different points. For example, the middle one is worth three points, the adjacent ones two points, and the outermost ones one point. Can be played 3v3-5v5. The teams' objective is to play the ball into one of the zones by passing to a teammate or dribbling into the zone and stopping the ball there. Before advancing to a scoring zone, the team must complete a predetermined number of passes between teammates.
Point Area Game 2
3v3-5v5 game without goalkeepers with small goals. The field is divided into three areas, with the middle area being the largest. A goal scored from the middle area is worth one point, and the smaller areas at the ends are worth two points. The game is free-flowing without rules for moving between areas.
Three-team game with two balls
Divide players into three teams and place a separate goal for each team on the edges of the area. Two balls are placed in the center of the area. At the coach's signal, one player per team starts pursuing the ball. The players' task is to score a goal in their own team's goal.
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