Small Sided Games
Conditioned Games
5 ways to score
Total Activity Duration
15-30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Players creativity to build and create goals. Different types of finishes. Teamwork and problem solving.
Progressions to Add
Change the amount of goals needed to win. Players can choose one type of goal that if they score they get more goals for. Change the size of the pitch.
Summary
An attacking small sided game allowing players to be creative in the different types of ways to score goals. Your players will choose five different ways to score goals and to win the game they have to score at least one of each type of goal.
Beat a player!
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to player age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Change of speed with the ball. Looking for space to attack. Small touches of the ball.
Progressions to Add
Change the area size to make it either bigger or smaller. If player uses a certain type of skill they can earn more goals.
Summary
Be dominant in attacking a defender in this small sided dribbling game. Every time a player gets past a defender with the ball they earn an extra goal for their team. Allow players to be really expressive on the ball!
Number of passes = Number of goals
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and number in session.
Key Points
Scan around before receiving the ball. Find the best space to receive the ball. Punch pass the ball to your team mate.
Progressions to Add
Change the size of the pitch to be smaller or bigger. Earn double points if a first time pass is played. Play of two touches maximum.
Summary
Passing to your team mates can earn you more goals! Every pass to your team mate which then results to a goal gives you more goals in the game. Encourage players to find the best space and find their team mates to help get more goals!
Last goal winner!
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Game management. Problem solving both attacking and defending. Mental resilience to make sure your team has the last goal.
Progressions to Add
Change the size of the pitch to be smaller or bigger. Play short rounds but don't tell players how long the games are. If the game ends 0-0 then both teams lose.
Summary
A classic playground game! If your team has scored the last goal in the game they are winning the game. Players have to make sure if they have scored that they don't allow the other team to score as they will be winning the game.
Everyone must score
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Problem solving. Finding ways to get scoring opportunities. Being brave on the ball.
Progressions to Add
Change the pitch size to be smaller or bigger. If someone has scored they cannot score again. Each team chooses a golden player whose goals count for double.
Summary
To win the game everyone on your team must score. Players need to work together to find ways to make scoring opportunities for every player. Leadership, teamwork and problem skills will be tested in this small sided game.
Win by one goal
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Game management when either winning or losing. Problem solving to ensure you win by one goal. Creating chances to score.
Progressions to Add
Change the pitch size to be smaller or bigger. The team who is leading by one goal loses a player for one minute. If the game ends in a draw both teams lose.
Summary
Players will need to manage the game to ensure they only win by one goal. Problem solving and teamwork will be needed by all players to keep the score at one goal in order for them to win the game.
First time finish
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Clever first time finishes. Creating goal scoring opportunities. Attacking as a unit.
Progressions to Add
Change the pitch size to be smaller or bigger. Add scoring zones and earn more points if score in a certain zone from a first time finish. Players choose a first time finish which of they score earns them double goals.
Summary
Players will need to be clever in their first time finishing as only first time goal will count. Players will need to create goal scoring opportunities that allow for first time finishes.
Can't pass back
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Find the best space to receive the ball. Body on the half turn to receive the ball. Players to be ahead of the ball to allow passing forward.
Progressions to Add
Change pitch size to be smaller or bigger. Cannot dribble backwards. Add a halfway line to the game where only an X amount of attacking players can be in the attacking half.
Summary
Decision making on and around the ball will be tested in this small sided game as the players cannot pass backwards. The ball cannot be passed backwards so good support is needed in order to be successful in this game.
Dribble forward
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Scanning before receiving the ball. Body on half turn to take first touch forward. Ball protection to get out of tight spaces.
Progressions to Add
Change pitch size to be smaller or bigger. Players only dribble forward in one half of the pitch. Add more goals if player on ball beats a player when dribbling forward.
Summary
Decision making on the ball will be tested as players can only dribble the ball forwards. This small sided game will test players ability to protect the ball and attack with speed when dribbling. Allow your players to be really creative!
Shot clock
Total Activity Duration
15 - 30 mins (max)
Set up
Pitch size relevant to players age and numbers in session.
Key Points
Pressing as an individual and as a team. Make the pitch big when team wins the ball back. Counter attack at speed.
Progressions to Add
Change pitch size to be smaller or bigger. Reduce the time to score when teams win the ball back. Use a halfway line or split pitch into thirds, if team wins ball closer to goal they get more goals.
Summary
Counter attacking is key in this game as the quicker you score the more goals you get. Individually and collectively as a team players must win the ball back and attack at speed to get as many goals as possible.
