6v6 with goalkeepers on 60 x 40 m: compulsory pass in own half; on losing the ball, whoever stays in the opposing half is out

Goal

Train the attack-to-defence transition: recovering at high speed after losing the ball, taking up a compact defensive position and defending a player short.

Description

A 60 x 40 m pitch with a goal and a goalkeeper at each end and a dashed line at the halfway mark. Two teams of six play in a 3-3: blues (A1 to A6) and reds (R1 to R6). The blues attack the goal on the right and the reds the goal on the left. A2 starts with the ball in their own half, with the three blue defenders (A1 to A3) at the back and the three midfielders (A4 to A6) ahead. Before crossing the halfway line the attacking team must make at least one pass inside its own half. If a team loses the ball, it must recover very quickly: when the ball enters the half of the team that lost it, any of its players still in the opposing half is removed from that attack and their team defends with one fewer until the move ends. The move ends with a goal, a save, the ball going out or a steal by the defending team, which then attacks under the same rule.

Step by step

1. 1

   A2 makes the compulsory pass to A5 inside the blue half while A4 and A6 move up the wings.

2. 2

   A5 passes to A6, who is already level with the halfway line.

3. 3

   A6 tries to switch play to A4 and R5 closes in through the middle and cuts out the pass.

4. 4

   R5 passes to R4, who runs into the blue half. As the ball enters the blue half, A4 and A6, who are still in the red half, are removed from this attack.

5. 5

   R4 shoots at the goal on the left against the four blues who have managed to recover.

6. 6

   Rotation: at the end of the set the teams swap halves and goals.

Rules

The first pass of each attack is made in the own half. Whoever is left in the opposing half when the ball enters their own half is out until that move ends. Everyone is back in play when the next move starts. One point per goal; the team that wins the ball back and shoots on goal earns half a point. Each set lasts six minutes.

Equipment

• Balls
• Cones
• Bibs in 2 colours
• 2 goals

Physical focus

Recommended times by goal

• Tactical: 4 × 6' · rest 1' · High intensityOrientativo

Rotation and restart

At the end of each set the teams swap halves and goals, and the goalkeepers move to the opposite goal with their bibs. Removed players return when the next attack starts.

Coaching points

• When the ball is lost, get back straight away: look at the ball, not at the opponent.
• Players far from the ball recover through the middle and those close to it delay without diving in.
• Close the central lane and reduce the space between the lines.
• Whoever cannot get back to defend leaves the play in time: better not to be there than to get in the way.
• On winning the ball, attack fast towards the free space, without stopping to think.

Common mistakes

• The midfielders stand watching the ball and do not recover.

  How to correct: Run back as soon as possession changes, without waiting to see what the opponent does.

• Everyone defends on their own and gaps appear between defenders.

  How to correct: Talk and hold the line: the three defenders organise at the same time.

• Players run with their back to the play and lose sight of the opponent.

  How to correct: Arrive facing or side-on, with one leg forward, and do not turn your back to the ball.

Questions for the players

• “When is it right to delay, and when to stop chasing and take up position?”
• “What changes in the way you recover when you play with one team-mate fewer?”

Levels

• A · easyNo removal: whoever is left in the opposing half only has to get back to their own half before the opponent shoots.
• B · standardAs described.
• C · advancedIn addition, the attacking team has a maximum of eight seconds to shoot after crossing the halfway line.

If you have fewer or more players

• With 10 fewer: Play 4v4 with two goalkeepers on a 50 x 35 m pitch, with a line of two defenders and two midfielders, and the compulsory pass is kept. (4v4 with goalkeepers and compulsory pass)
• With more: Set up a second identical pitch alongside and the groups alternate by sets. (Two 6v6 pitches with goalkeepers)
• With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a joker for the attacking team and cannot shoot.

Age

Variations

• No goalkeepers. The goals are replaced by two 4 m mini goals and the game is played without goalkeepers.
• Removed players return. A removed player rejoins the play if their team wins the ball back before the opponent shoots.