How it works
- Who starts
- The red team, with the ball, in their own half.
- Who takes part
- Two teams of four (red and blue) on each pitch.
- What the ball does
- The reds take it towards the opponents' goal while all four cross the halfway line; if the blues win it, they attack the other goal.
- How to score
- Goal with all four attackers in the opponents' half: 1 point. Goal with a defender who hasn't got back: 2 points.
- When it ends
- Each round, after 4 minutes.
- How it restarts
- After a goal or the ball going out, the defending team restarts from their goal.
- How players rotate
- No rotation of positions: it's a match. At the end of each round the teams change opponents.
Number of players
8-17 players
Format
4v4 (x2 pitches)
Recommended
4 × 16 min
Rest 60s · High intensity
Space
Small-sided space
Space
15×20 m
Goal
Get the team moving as a unit: everyone goes forward when attacking and everyone comes back when the ball is lost.
Description
Two 4v4 games on 20x15 m pitches with two small goals. The pitch is split into two halves with cones. For a goal to count, all four attackers must be in the opponents' half when the shot is taken. And if the opponents score while any defender hasn't got back to their own half, the goal counts double. This way they learn that the team goes forward together and comes back together, which is what stops a team splitting in two in 7-a-side and 8-a-side.
Step by step
- 1
The reds attack and the last teammate crosses the halfway line.
- 1.1 Number 4 goes up.
- 1.2 Number 3 dribbles.
- 2
Number 3 passes to number 2, with all four now in the opponents' half.
- 3
Number 2 shoots: the goal counts.
- 4
The blues restart and the four reds run back to their half.
Rules
A goal is valid only if all four attackers are in the opponents' half at the moment of the shot. A goal scored while any opposing defender hasn't got back to their half counts 2. Rounds of 4 minutes.
Equipment
- 4 small goals
- Cones for the halfway line
- Bibs in 2 colours
- Balls
Physical focus
Recommended times by goal
- Tactical: 4 × 4' · rest 1' · High intensityOrientativo
Rotation and restart
No rotation of positions. After each 4-minute round the teams change opponents; if there is one extra player, they act as an assistant referee on the halfway line and come on for a teammate in the next round.
Coaching points
- We go up together and we come back together!
- When we lose the ball, the first step is towards your own goal.
- Before you shoot, check everyone is up.
Common mistakes
One player stays back watching while their team attacks.
How to correct: If we attack, we all cross the line; the goal doesn't count if one is missing.
When the ball is lost, the players who were up front stand still.
How to correct: Run back to our half: if they score without us getting back, it counts double.
Questions for the players
- “Are we all up?”
- “Did I get back to help when we lost the ball?”
- “Why is it dangerous for a team to be split in two?”
Levels
- A · easyIt's enough for three of the four attackers to be in the opponents' half.
- B · standardAs described.
- C · advancedThe pitch is divided into three zones and the team can be in two zones at most at the same time.
If you have fewer or more players
- With 7 fewer: A single 3v3 game with a joker who attacks with whoever has the ball. (3v3+1)
- With 10 more: A third pitch, or 5v5 on 25x18 m pitches. (5v5)
- With odd numbers: The extra player acts as an assistant referee and watches the halfway line.
Age
Variations
- Defending in the half. The defending team also has to be all in their own half to be allowed to win the ball.
- Quick goal. If you score within 10 seconds of winning the ball, it counts double even if an attacker is missing.