Football & soccer drills for kids

Two blue players attack the goal with a goalkeeper. Two red defenders start from the markers behind the attackers. The area is approximately 20 x 24 metres, with a cone gate at the opposite end. The blues start with the ball and drive towards the goal, and at the same moment the reds recover. The nearer defender runs along the inside line to get between the ball and the goal and delays the player on the ball. The second defender recovers to the inside, between the remaining attacker and the goal. Once it becomes 2v2, the defenders apply pressing and provide cover. In the example, red 1 gets across in front of blue 1 and delays. When blue passes out wide, red 2 moves to press during the pass and red 1 drops to cover. Red 2 wins the ball, and the reds immediately attack the gate. Now the blues recover. The blues score a point for a goal, the reds for dribbling the ball through the gate. The farther away the defenders start, the more difficult the recovery becomes, so adjust the distance of the starting markers according to the level. Change roles after a few repetitions.

The area is approximately 14 × 24 metres and is divided into three sections. At the bottom is the 2v2 zone, in the middle the penetration zone and at the top the goalkeeper's area. On its end line there are two small goals. In the 2v2 zone, two blue players keep possession and two red players press as a pair. In the penetration zone, one blue defender waits. The reds' task is to win the ball. One presses the player on the ball, the other provides cover from the inside and reads the next pass. After winning the ball, the reds immediately break through: 2v1 against the blue defender and finishing into either small goal. Blue 1 and 2 are not allowed to follow from the 2v2 zone, blue 3 stays in the penetration zone and the goalkeeper stays in their own area. In the pattern, red 2 presses during the pass, and when the ball comes back, the roles change. When blue 1 tries to switch play again, red 2 intercepts the pass. Red 2 dribbles into the penetration zone, draws blue 3 towards them and passes to red 1, who shoots into the left small goal. Change roles every few repetitions so that everyone gets to press, defend the penetration and finish. The blues can be given a point, for example, for five consecutive passes in the 2v2 zone.

Two pairs play 2v2 in an area of approximately 16 × 24 metres. At each end there is an end line and a cover line eight metres in front of it. A pair scores a point when they dribble the ball over the opponent’s end line or pass to a teammate who controls it behind the line. The second player in the defending pair must be on or behind their own cover line. One presses the player on the ball, the other provides cover. They must not both go to the ball. The covering player may step off the line when they intercept a pass or win the ball from an attacker who has beaten the presser. In that case, the other defender immediately runs back behind the line. In the diagram, Red 1 presses the player on the ball from the inside and shows them wide. Red 2 is on the line diagonally behind on the inside. When Blue passes across to the other side, Red 1 shifts to press the new player on the ball while the ball is travelling, and Red 2 slides along the line to stay behind them. The pair move together. Blue 1 makes a run in behind the presser, but Red 2 reads the pass and intercepts it. After winning the ball, the Reds attack the Blues’ end line immediately. The nearest Blue presses, and the other runs behind their own cover line. Now the Blues defend in the same way. When Blue 1 wins the ball wide, only Red 2 gets back to the line in time. The Blues play a 2v1. Blue 1 draws Red 2 in and passes into the run of Blue 2, who dribbles the ball over the end line. Play 1–2 minute blocks. If there are more than four players, set up several pitches side by side or rotate pairs between blocks.

The red player sets off, feints past the cone defender and shoots into the goal. The blue player immediately gives a pass to the red player, and the red player lays off a one-two for the blue player to shoot into the goal. After this, the yellow player gives a pass to the blue player, who plays a one-two towards the end line. The yellow player crosses from the end line, and both the blue and red players take part in the finishing.

Quick Attack

Two-phase 1v1. Starts with the attacker’s movement. The attacker asks for the pass into a square marked out with cones (the 1st defender follows), where they aim to move the ball with their first touch to either side. Once the ball is outside the square, it is the second defender’s turn to defend. Now a traditional 1v1, where the attacker aims for finishing. Rotation of roles: attacker goes to the back of the queue, 1st defender becomes the attacker and the second defender becomes the first defender. The passer becomes the second defender.

5v5 game in which the team practises building play with a goal-dribble. When the ball goes over the end line, the defending team restarts by dribbling from any point in their own penalty area. The opponent may wait 5.5 metres from the ball. The player on the ball can carry the ball forwards or pass to a free player. In the example, the presser goes towards the goalkeeper, so the goalkeeper passes to the free player on the left. This player dribbles down the flank and passes to the attacker, who shoots. If an attack that starts from a goal-dribble ends in a goal, it is worth two points. All other goals are worth one. Play short blocks and rotate the teams often. According to the Football Association of Finland rules, 8- and 9-year-olds restart 5v5 by dribbling. In matches for seven-year-olds and younger, the opponent drops back to halfway for the goal-dribble and only defends once play has restarted.

Practise the goal kick in an 8v8 game, where play is started with short passes. The goalkeeper and two centre-backs play against two players pressing. The centre-backs spread out wide level with the corners of the penalty area, and the goalkeeper kicks the ball from the ground to the one who is free. The blue team scores a point when they pass or dribble the ball through the wide gate about 24 metres from the goal line. The reds try to win the ball and score a goal. When the player pressing closes down the centre-back, the centre-back passes the ball back to the goalkeeper, and the goalkeeper switches play to the other side. Start without players pressing, then add one and finally two. In 8v8 for 10-11-year-olds, a goal kick may be taken from the ground anywhere in the penalty area, and the opponent does not have to retreat: it is enough to be 5.5 metres from the ball. The players pressing may therefore stand just as close in the drill as in a match.

A three-player drill with one in the middle of a square marked by cones and two on either side at passing distance. The drill starts with a pass, which the player in the middle aims to guide with the first touch outside the square and immediately pass to the third player. After the pass, move into the centre and the middle player fills the empty space.

Two players stay over the ball and start acting out a disagreement about which one will take the shot. Meanwhile, a third walks calmly towards his own position out wide, without looking towards the ball even once. In the middle of the argument, the ball rolls into his path, and the shot is taken with the first touch from a new angle that the wall cannot turn to in time. The pattern lives or dies with the walker: as soon as he glances at the ball or changes into a run too early, the defending reads the pattern. The pass is played only when the walker is one step away from the shooting position.

Direct free kick from around 20 metres, where your own line of three players stands in the goalkeeper’s line of sight, at least one metre away from the wall, as the law requires. A decoy runner goes over the ball, and at the same moment the line splits to the sides. The shooter strikes low through the newly opened channel into the far corner, where the goalkeeper only has time to look once the ball is already moving. The role of the line is not to cover the whole goal but to take away the goalkeeper’s moment of release: a goalkeeper who reacts late will not reach the low corner. Practise the line splitting so that it happens exactly on the shooter’s final step — if the line splits too early, it reveals everything.

From a short restart by the goalkeeper with the players in position, one of the two wingers sprints towards the free area behind the opposition attacker. As our winger moves, the goalkeeper can either play short to the defender on the right or on the left, who can then find the free player in the middle. When the midfielder is found, our attacker must make a run into the free channel in order to draw the defender towards him and open up the pitch for the player on the ball. If the player in the middle is found and is not followed by the marker, he can then turn and drive forward with the ball towards the opposition goal in order to find a key pass to one of our wingers or shoot. Otherwise, if the player in the middle is found but is followed by the marker, he must look to play back to the defender or the goalkeeper to avoid a loss of possession.

The corner is played short. The supporting player comes towards the corner flag and receives a pass, which makes the nearest defender come out of the penalty area to apply pressure. The ball is then played back to the taker, who has meanwhile moved from the corner to around eight metres away. The angle for the cross is better from there, and the ball can be delivered low between the near post and the goalkeeper. The player running to the near post finishes one-touch, and the run to the far post starts at the same time. There are two defenders: one applies pressure to the short corner, the other defends the area. Without the defender coming out, the pattern does not show why the short corner works.

The corner is played short between three players. The player closest to the flag comes short and receives the pass, which brings the first defender out. Instead of the ball being returned to the taker, it goes first touch to the third player, who has come from the edge of the penalty area into the same corner. Now the second defender also has to come out, and the third player dribbles between them to the end line. From the end line, the ball is played back low towards the penalty spot. The finisher times the run so that they move towards the ball rather than waiting for it standing still. The player occupying the near post takes the goalkeeper with them. Two defenders out means there is briefly a 2v1 in the penalty area. That is the whole idea of the move: the short corner is not looking for a cross but for numerical superiority.

Six players in three pairs in an empty area. No goals. One pair are the target players, one in each end zone, and they move only along their own end line. The other two pairs play 2v2 in the middle. A point is scored when the ball is dribbled from one end to the other, meaning from one target player to the other. After a successful pass, the same team continues with the ball in the opposite direction. The defending pair try to close the passing lane to the target player and win the ball. After winning the ball, the pair who won it can attack either end zone, but a point always requires the full distance: the ball must go from one target player to the other. In practice, the pair who won it start from the nearest end zone. Three minutes at a time, then the pairs rotate positions.

A pass from the centre to the winger, who dribbles all the way to the byline. The attacker takes the defender with them to the near post. When the defending has dropped towards the goal, the midfield player arrives late at the edge of the penalty area into the gate. The winger lays the ball back and the arriving player shoots first time from the pass. A goalkeeper in goal. Start alternately from both flanks.

Four players in a diamond: both flanks, one in the middle at the front and one in the middle at the back. The wide player starts dribbling towards goal. The deepest player calls, which stops the dribbling and the ball is played back. The deepest player switches play first time to the opposite flank, who advances and delivers a cross. The others arrive in front of goal in staggered runs to finish. Start alternately from each flank. Instead of a cross, a sharp low pass from the flank is also allowed.

4v4 in an open area, with end zones marked by cones at both ends. No goals. A point is scored when a player from your team receives a pass in the end zone. The coach calls for a change of direction during play, and the attacking direction switches from that moment. The defending team has just compacted at the wrong end, so there is space behind them; this must be seen and used before they can turn. Playing time 3–4 minutes at a time, with several calls in each block.

Two attackers break down one defender out wide and deliver a cross. The wide player passes to the inside player, who comes towards the ball and turns towards goal. At the same time, the defender sets off from the opposite corner to apply pressure. The passer immediately makes an overlapping run on the outside past their teammate, into the space between the penalty area and the touchline. From there, they receive the ball back and deliver a cross. The run into the penalty area is staggered: one to the near post, the other to the far post. The defender does not follow outside the square. Start alternately from both flanks. Alternatively, the wide player can solve the situation themselves in a 1v1, either by going inside or down the touchline.

A diamond is made with cones, with two players at the first cone and one player at each of the others. Player 1 plays the first pass to player 2, who then plays a one-two back. Player 1 aims to play a long pass to player 3 with the first touch. After the passes, always rotate in the direction of the pass.

A pass is played from the queue to the blue player, who sets it back with a one-two to the first player in the queue. He then chooses which cone to move to, and the yellow player moves to the opposite cone on their own line. The first player in the queue passes to the yellow player, who lays off a one-two to the blue player, who aims to shoot first time from the pass into the goal.

The drill starts with the red player making a movement, which the player in the middle looks to find with a pass. The red player controls the ball, goes around the cone near the end line and plays a cut-back pass to the central player, who looks to shoot and score. The queues change after every repetition.

Player passes the ball and makes an overlapping run behind the other player. The receiver dribbles the ball near the cones and passes to the overlapping player, who then passes on to the third queue. The drill progresses in four phases: 1) initial pass, 2) dribbling towards the cones, 3) pass into the overlap and 4) pass to the third queue.

The situation starts with a sideways pass from one queue to the other. The diagonal attacker (orange) moves away to the side from the defender and looks to shoot immediately after the control. In the second variation, the attacker's movement is to the inside of the defender.

3v3 game without goals. A goal is scored when a team manages to stop the ball behind the opponent’s end line. The receiver must get the ball under control behind the line; simply kicking it over the line is not enough. Teaches attacking and defending in depth.

In the centre circle of an 11-a-side pitch, each player has a ball at their feet. The coach says “Simon says” and gives an instruction. When he says “Simon says”, the players must carry out the instruction. If he does not say “Simon says” and gives an instruction, the children must not carry out that instruction.

Five cones in a cross shape: one in the middle, four around it at a distance of 5–10 metres. One player at each cone. The ball starts from an outer cone and is played to the middle player. The middle player takes a directional first touch and with it plays a pass to a new outer cone, not back to where the ball came from. Then the passer and the middle player rotate positions: the passer runs into the middle, and the middle player takes the now free outer position. So there is a different player in the middle on each round. Adjust the distances according to the players’ age and skill level.

Mark out a square area and make three pairs of two players. Two pairs are on the outside on the edges, so there are four passers, one on each side. One pair is inside the area winning the ball. The outside players keep possession from side to side. The players winning the ball share the job: one presses the player on the ball, the other blocks the next passing lane. When they win the ball, the pairs swap places and play continues immediately without a restart. Adjust the size of the square to the level. A smaller square shortens the passes and forces quicker first touch.

Four players in a line 10–15 metres apart, with a marker at each position. Numbers from top to bottom: two, three, four, five. Number two starts with the ball. Downwards: number two passes to number three, who returns it straight back. Number two plays a long pass past number three to number four, number four guides the ball to number three, and number three plays a long pass past number four to number five. Upwards, the same as a mirror image: number five passes to number four, gets the return pass and plays a long pass past number four to number three. Number three guides it to number four, number four plays a long pass back to number two, and the sequence starts again. Number three and number four move away from the line to opposite sides just before the pass is played. This allows the long pass to go past the previous player. After their own pass, they return to the line. Short passes with two touches, long passes firmly along the ground. When the pattern is flowing, tighten the short passes to one-touch.

Two teams compete to see which can get three of their own markers in a straight line first. Build a 3 x 3 grid with cones, one cone in each square. Place a starting cone about 10–15 metres from the bottom edge of the grid, with two lines behind it. Each player has one marker in their team’s colour, and the first player in each line has a ball. Both teams start at the same time. The player whose turn it is dribbles the ball to the edge of the grid, leaves the ball there and runs into the grid. They place their marker in one free square, return to the ball and dribble it to the front of the line. The next player starts as soon as the ball is back, and the previous player goes to the back of the line. A team wins when it has three markers in the same row, column or diagonal. There are three markers per team, so every square is worth thinking about. If neither team gets three in a line, collect the markers and start again. With younger players, shorten the distance. Lengthen it if you want more running.

The front three move the ball and look for the free side to attack from - the defenders switch sides and protect the centre. When the attack can go down the flank, the two attackers off the ball look for a finishing opportunity directly from the pass.

In the picture, there are three areas, each with one “locked” player off the ball - from the bottom, two players on the ball set off 2v1 one at a time to get through the areas to the other end. The third defender is beaten and then a pass is played to the new pair of attackers, who set off in the opposite direction.

One player (in the picture, red, wearing a bib) is the ball winner. In the middle of the area there is a "gate" through which the players on the ball (in the picture, 3 blue players) aim to play from one side to the other in different ways. The game is always continuous, for example 1 minute at a time, and the ball winner changes. Variation 1: the player on the ball must get from one side to the other by dribbling through the gate, then on that side there is immediately a new 2v1 going back the other way. Variation 2: the players on the ball must always play through the gate by passing to the third player, AT WHICH POINT the player who made the pass moves to that side as support at the same time. Variation 3: the players on the ball must always play through the gate by passing to the third player, AT WHICH POINT the player who DID NOT make the pass moves to that side as support at the same time.

Effective passing and control

Players run diagonally across the square. Whenever you have made the pass to the player running through the middle, you then go next yourself.

The 4v3 situation starts when the central midfielder plays to the attacker and, on the coach’s call of "Man on" or "Turn", the situation moves forward. Man on = set the ball, then either dribbling forward or a pass out wide. Turn = free turn and decision-making, pass or dribble If the drill is easy, add a pass restriction before finishing.

The blue player makes the initial movement away from the defender and the first player in the queue plays a pass into the movement. The blue player takes a control and immediately continues with a pass to the yellow player. The yellow player lays off the one-two behind the defender and the blue player aims to shoot the ball into the goal directly from the pass. The defender tracks the run but does not intercept the passes. Rotation: from attacker to laying off the one-two and defender to attacking. The player laying off the one-two goes to the back of the queue and the player making the first pass becomes the defender.

The player in front of the cones makes a movement to either side of the line of cones and asks for the pass. The first player in the queue plays a pass and the receiver takes a short dribble towards the player positioned on the opposite diagonal and plays a through pass to them. The receiving player tries to "avoid offside" (the cones represent the deepest defenders) and finish first time from the pass.

Players are split into pairs. There are several small gates on the pitch. The attacker on the ball tries to dribble the ball through a gate, the defender tries to stop them and win the ball. After a successful dribble through a gate, the attacker immediately continues to the next gate of their choice. The same gate cannot be used twice in a row.

8–12 small gates are set up in the area. Each player has a ball. On the coach’s signal, the players dribble the ball and try to get through as many gates as possible in the given time. You cannot go through the same gate twice in a row.

Three teams, one per zone (30×15 m divided into three 10×15 m areas). The teams in the end zones keep possession and try to pass to the other end zone. The middle team sends 2 players in to win the ball in the end zone and 1 stays in the middle to cut out passes between the areas. When the ball is won or goes out, the team that lost it moves into the middle. A point is scored when the ball is played successfully from end to end.

A square-shaped area divided into four zones. Two teams (e.g. 4v4+2 jokers). The team in possession keeps the ball and tries to play into as many zones as possible. A point for each new zone the ball is played into consecutively. The jokers always play with the team in possession.

2v2 in a small area, with four cone goals on the edges of the pitch. A goal is scored by dribbling the ball through any pair of cones. Because there are goals in every direction, the player on the ball must constantly turn and shield the ball to find an open goal.

The defending team defends their own goal. When they win the ball, they have 8 seconds to attack the opposite goal. If a goal is scored within the time limit, the point counts double. The attacking team continues normal play. A quick transition from defending to attacking is decisive.

Players take turns shooting a stationary ball towards the goal from different distances (8–15 m). The balls are placed at different angles in front of the goal. Focus on correct striking technique: positioning the non-kicking foot next to the ball, locking the ankle, and striking with the instep.

Players dribble the ball past or through the cones before shooting. The dribbling starts approximately 20–25 metres from the goal, the shooting area marked with cones approximately 10–14 metres away. Head up before shooting.

The wide player receives the ball and goes to the byline or into the inside channel. In the penalty area, two attackers make crossing runs: one to the near post, the other to the far post. The player crossing chooses the type of cross.

The player stands with their back to goal around 11–14 metres away, with the passer in front. The passer plays a low pass, the player controls the ball with their first touch to the side and shoots with their second touch.

In pairs: the server throws the ball in an arc to the receiver, who takes the control with the thigh, chest or instep and plays the ball back along the ground with two touches. Three stations: thigh and to the ground, chest and to the ground, instep and to the ground.

Three attackers play against two defenders. One additional player waits on the flank and joins in when the ball crosses a certain line. The attackers look to finish quickly before the defending can get organised. If the defenders win the ball, they play a counter-attack.

Players practise different one-two patterns on the move: a simple one-two or a triangle passing pattern. Each pattern ends with a shooting opportunity. First without defenders, then with passive defenders and finally with active defenders.

The defending team practises two alternative reactions after a loss of possession: (1) counter-press high up if the ball was lost in the opponent’s half, (2) drop off and reorganise if the ball was lost in their own half. The coach signals which option is carried out. The team learns to recognise the right moment for both.

The pitch is divided into three zones. The game starts in the middle zone as a possession game. When a team completes 5 passes, they attack the opponent's goal (phase 2). If the defending team wins the ball, they make a counter-attack towards the other goal (phase 3). Each phase requires different tactical understanding.

Three teams (e.g. 3×3 or 3×4). Two teams play together against the team that has lost possession. When a team loses the ball, it switches to defending and the other team joins alongside the team in possession. Continuous transitions in roles.

4v4 game with two goals. Each team has its own "recovery zone" behind the goal. When a team loses possession, one player must go into the recovery zone before they can take part in defending. This creates temporary numerical superiority for the attacking team and forces a quick transition.

Team game (e.g. 5v5+goalkeeper) on a half pitch. The team in possession keeps hold of the ball and tries to attack the goal. Before attacking the goal, at least 5 consecutive passes are required. The defending team tries to win the ball and play a counter-attack to the other end.

Three-point shooting circuit: (1) a power shot from around 20 metres, (2) shooting on the move from the passer’s lay-off from around 14 metres, and (3) a close-range shot or half-volley from short distance. After each shot, quickly move to the next station.

Players are placed at four cones in a square. The ball is played clockwise: the player passes to the next cone and runs after the pass. The receiving player takes the ball with a directional first touch.

Possession game (e.g. 4v2) with two jokers, who always play on the side of the player on the ball. The jokers move along the edges of the area and offer extra passing options. 1-2 touch limit for the outside players, jokers on unlimited touches. The defenders try to win the ball — the player who made the last pass goes into the middle.

In pairs facing each other at a distance of about 10 metres. Player A plays a pass along the ground to player B, who controls the ball with the first touch and passes it back with the second touch. Variation: control with the right/left foot.

Three-player combination: the first passes to the second, the second plays to the third, who has made a run into free space. The key is the third player's movement — they break away before the ball arrives to the second player. Practise in different patterns: in behind, wide and diagonally.

Three zones side by side (narrow-wide-narrow). The team in possession starts in the central zone and tries to play the ball into the wide zone. The defenders try to prevent play to the side. After a successful pass to the side, the ball is played back into the middle and switched to the other side.

Three attackers start with the ball and move towards two defenders. The aim is to create numerical superiority and finish. After a goal, the attackers receive a new ball and attack the opposite goal.

Two teams play a possession game in a limited space. When a team loses possession, they have 5 seconds to win the ball back with counter-pressing. If the ball is won back, play continues. If not, the team that lost possession performs a penalty task. Objective: immediate reaction to loss of possession.

Team game (e.g. 6v6 or 7v7). The pitch is divided into three vertical zones. The attacking team only scores a point once the ball has been in all three zones before finishing. This forces the use of width and prevents narrow central play.

2v2 game in a small area, where both teams have 2 cone gates to defend on opposite sides. A goal is scored by dribbling the ball through a gate. A fast and intense small-sided game where every duel matters. Short games (90 seconds), pairs rotate.

The central player moves towards the passer, takes the control with the first touch and turns 180 degrees. Passes with the second or third touch in the opposite direction to the target player.

A line of players 18–20 metres from the goal, the passer at the edge of the penalty area. The shooter passes to the passer and continues the run, the passer returns the ball with one-touch into the shooter’s path. The shooter finishes directly or with one-touch.

4v4 game with two goals (+goalkeeper). When the ball goes out of bounds or a goal is scored, the coach passes a new ball onto the pitch to a random team. Continuous transition situation: the teams never know who will get the next ball. Forces constant readiness for both attacking and defending.

4v4 game in which one team has one normal goal and the other has three small cone goals on different sides of the pitch. The one-goal team attacks directly, while the three-goal team looks for an open goal. Roles change regularly.

3v3 game with normal small goals and a goalkeeper. A full match situation in a small area: attacking, defending, finishing and goalkeeping. Short games (3–4 min), scoring and a tournament format keep the intensity high. The coach focuses on one theme at a time.

The attacking team aims to play the ball into the pocket — between the defensive line and midfield. The player receiving in the pocket turns and plays forward or shoots. The defending team tries to keep the lines compact and prevent play into the pocket.

Players in a queue approximately 25 metres from goal. A passer is positioned on the side. The player plays a pass to the wide passer, makes a forward run and receives the ball back from a one-two. Finishes into the goal with one or two touches.

The attacker starts with the ball from the edge of the first zone. In each zone, a different defender is waiting, and the attacker must beat an opponent to progress. After the final beat an opponent, a shot at goal.

The attacker stands with their back to goal in the middle of the area, with a defender behind them. The passer plays a pass to the attacker, who tries to turn and score. The defender aims to prevent the turn. The attacker's task can be made easier by requiring the defender to keep their hands behind their back.

The attacker starts with the ball at one end of the channel, the defender stands in the middle of the channel facing the attacker. The aim is to beat the defender with a feint or a change of direction and score.

Two players play against each other in a square-shaped area, with a cone goal in each corner. The player on the ball can attack any of the four goals and tries to dribble the ball through the goal.

The attacker and defender start from opposite ends of the area. The coach plays a pass into the middle of the area, and both set off to compete for the ball. The player who wins the ball attacks the opponent's goal.

The pitch is divided into three vertical zones. The defending team sets up in the middle zone as a compact block. The attacking team plays the ball in the wide zones and tries to switch play. When the ball is moved, the defending block shifts together towards the ball.

2v2 or 3v3 small-sided game with small goals and no goalkeeper. When the team loses possession, transition immediately into defending: the first defender presses the player on the ball, the second covers and the third provides balance.

The outside players keep possession with one-touch or two touches, with 2 defenders in the middle trying to win the ball or intercept a pass. When a defender gets the ball or forces it outside the area, the player who made the last pass changes into the middle.

The passer plays the ball in midfield, the receiver makes a run towards the ball and quickly breaks in behind. The passer plays a through pass into space behind the defensive line. The receiver runs onto the ball and finishes into the goal.

The pitch is divided into three vertical zones. The attacking team moves the ball in one zone and tries to switch play with a long pass into the opposite zone. The defending team tries to intercept the switch of play.

Five outside players keep possession, with two defenders in the middle trying to win the ball or intercept a pass. When a defender wins the ball, the player who made the last pass and the previous passer swap into the middle. Touch limit (1–2) depending on level.

Attacker on the edge of the penalty area with back to goal, defender behind. The passer plays the ball to the attacker, who takes control, turns away from the defender and finishes. Check the defender’s position over the shoulder. Depending on the age group and skill level, you can make it easier at first by requiring the defender to keep their hands behind their back.

The player starts to dribble the ball towards the first defender and tries to beat an opponent in a 1v1 situation. After beating the defender, the player continues to the next defender and finally finishes into the goal. The defenders are passive (U10–U11) or active (U12+).