4v4 with transition and duel in 40 x 36 m: when they win the ball, the reds pass to a side support player and must win a 1v1 before shooting
Linkalde exercise
How it works
- Who starts
- A1, blue, with the ball in the centre of the pitch.
- Who takes part
- Four blues, four reds, two red support players (R5 and R6) and the goalkeeper.
- What the ball does
- The blues attack the big goal; if R3 wins the ball, they pass to R5, who attacks the mini goal of their zone in a 1v1 against the nearest blue.
- How to score
- One point per blue goal in the big goal and two points per red goal in a mini goal.
- When it ends
- The play ends with a shot, the ball going out, or the blue winning the ball from the red support player.
- How it restarts
- The goalkeeper or the coach restarts with a new ball to the blues.
- How players rotate
- Every five minutes the roles are swapped between blues and reds, and the supports with two players.
Number of players
11-14 players
Format
4v4 game with two supports and duel
Recommended
4 × 20 min
Rest 60s · High intensity
Space
Small-sided space
Space
36×40 m
Goalkeepers
1
Goal
Train the reaction to losing the ball (immediate pressure or recovery run) and the 1v1 duel in transition for the blues, and leave with good judgement and win the duel for the reds.
Description
40 x 36 m pitch with one goal and a goalkeeper at the top end. Two red zones of 12 x 12 m occupy the bottom corners (Z1 and Z2) and each has a mini goal on the end line. Four blues (A1 to A4) attack the big goal against four reds (R1 to R4) and the goalkeeper. The red support players R5 and R6 wait inside their zones and cannot leave them. The blues earn a point if they score. If the reds win the ball, they cannot shoot at the big goal: they must pass to one of their support players, R5 or R6, who controls, turns and attacks their mini goal while the nearest blue runs to defend: this is how a transition 1v1 is played. The support player must shoot at the mini goal of their zone.
Step by step
- 1
A1 passes to A2 and the blues look for a pass to the free player.
- 2
A2 passes to A4, who tries to turn towards the goal.
- 3
R3 wins the ball while the blue dribbles forward.
- 4
R3 passes to R5, who waits in their zone, and A2 runs to defend the duel.
- 5
R5 controls, turns and carries towards the mini goal while A2 closes them down.
- 6
R5 shoots at the mini goal if they win the duel.
Rules
The blues play with no limit on touches and the reds defend in 4v4. R5 and R6 cannot leave their zone and cannot defend. After winning the ball, the reds must play to R5 or R6 before shooting. The blue nearest to the support player is the only one who can defend the duel. A blue goal is worth one point; a goal by R5 or R6 is worth two points.
Equipment
- 1 goal
- 2 mini goals
- Balls
- Cones
- Bibs in 3 colours
Physical focus
Recommended times by goal
- Tactical: 4 × 5' · rest 1' · High intensityOrientativo
Rotation and restart
Roles change every five minutes: the blues become reds and vice versa, and R5 and R6 swap with two players from the defending team.
Coaching points
- Blues: after losing the ball, the one nearest to the support player runs to defend and the others close the passing lane.
- Reds: win the ball and play quickly to the support player, without thinking.
- Support player: receive side-on and win the 1v1 with the first touch.
- Duel defender: slow the run and show the support player outwards.
Common mistakes
After losing the ball the blues stand watching.
How to correct: Press the player who wins it or run to close down the support player immediately.
The red who wins the ball tries to shoot alone and does not play to the support player.
How to correct: Remember the rule: shots are only taken from the side zones.
The support player receives with their back to goal and loses a beat.
How to correct: Open the body before receiving so as to carry the ball straight away.
Questions for the players
- “Which blue must run to defend the duel and who closes the passing lane?”
- “When is it better to press the player who wins the ball than to drop back towards the support player's zone?”
Levels
- A · easyThe blues only have to press and there is no duel: the support player shoots unopposed.
- B · standardAs described.
- C · advancedThe duel must be resolved in six seconds and the support player has only two touches to shoot.
If you have fewer or more players
- With 9 fewer: Only one red support player and one zone, and the game becomes 3v3. (3v3 game with one support and duel)
- With more: A blue joker who always plays with the attacking team. (4v4+1 game with two supports and duel)
- With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a third support and alternates zones.
Age
Variations
- With a goalkeeper in the zone. A goalkeeper is placed in each zone and the mini goal is replaced by a 5 m goal.
- Double duel. Two blues defend the duel at the same time, putting the support player at a disadvantage.
Source: Gesdep (adaptado)