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4v4 possession with four mini-goals on the sides: score from either face and never twice in a row in the same goal

Linkalde exercise

Player
Goalkeeper
Cone
Ball
Pass
Off-ball movement
Dribbling
Shot/finishing
Mini goal

How it works

Who starts
Four blues and four reds spread over the pitch; A1 (blue) with a ball on the bottom side.
Who takes part
Eight players: A1 to A4 (blues) and R1 to R4 (reds); with more, jokers.
What the ball does
It circulates inside the rectangle until a team sees a free mini-goal and shoots.
How to score
One point for a goal in any mini-goal, without repeating the same one twice.
When it ends
When the time of each game is up.
How it restarts
After a goal or the ball going out, the team that did not score restarts with a foot.
How players rotate
There are no fixed positions; every four minutes a relief group comes on.
PossessionAttack: keep possessionAttack: finishAttacking transitionDefensive transitionPositional attackPossessionSwitch of playFinishingAttacking transitionDefensive transition

Number of players

8-10 players

Format

4v4 possession with four goals

Recommended

4 × 16 min

Rest 45s · High intensity

Space

Small-sided space

Space

30×40 m

Fitness
25%
Technique
25%
Tactics
50%

Goal

Keep possession until a free goal is seen, change the direction of attack and defend the mini-goal closest to the ball.

Description

A 40 x 30 m rectangle with a mini-goal in the middle of each side: one at the top, one at the bottom, one on the left and one on the right. Two teams of four, blues and reds, compete for one ball. Anyone can score in all four mini-goals and from either of their two faces, that is, from the front or from behind the goal. A team may not score two goals in a row in the same mini-goal: it must score in another one first. The team that wins the ball must play it with a pass to a teammate before it can shoot. Each goal is worth one point and, after a goal, the team that conceded restarts with a foot from the touchline.

Step by step

  1. 1

    A1 passes to A2, who is on the opposite side of the pitch, while the reds close the nearby mini-goals.

  2. 2

    A2 plays with A4, who has moved off towards the top mini-goal.

  3. 3

    A4 shoots at the top mini-goal, which is free because the reds have gone to the other side.

Rules

Goals count from either face of the mini-goal. A team may not score twice in a row in the same mini-goal. After winning the ball, a pass must be made before shooting. Play is limited to three touches per player. A ball out of play is restarted with a kick-in from the touchline. Each game lasts four minutes.

Equipment

  • Balls
  • Cones
  • Bibs in 2 colours
  • 4 mini-goals

Physical focus

Intermittent endurance

Recommended times by goal

  • Tactical: 4 × 4' · rest 0'45" · High intensityOrientativo

Rotation and restart

There are no fixed positions: players move around the whole pitch. Every four minutes the two teams rest and a relief group comes on, and the team that lost swaps bibs with the winner.

Coaching points

  • Move the ball from side to side until a mini-goal is free.
  • Defend as a group: close off the mini-goal closest to the ball.
  • After winning it, pass first and attack at speed.
  • Look at all four goals before receiving.

Common mistakes

  • Everyone supports the ball and leaves the goals free.

    How to correct: Always leave one player near the furthest mini-goal.

  • Always shooting at the same mini-goal.

    How to correct: Change the side of attack and use the no-repeat rule.

  • Losing the ball by playing with the head down.

    How to correct: Lift the eyes before each control.

Questions for the players

  • “How do you see that a mini-goal is free?”
  • “What do you do when your team wins the ball and the opponents have spread out?”

Levels

  • A · easyTwo jokers and free touches.
  • B · standardAs described.
  • C · advancedTwo touches per player and no jokers.

If you have fewer or more players

  • With 6 fewer: Three against three on a 30 x 24 m pitch with the same rules. (3v3 possession with four goals)
  • With 10 more: Two jokers always with the team that has the ball, or two games at the same time. (4v4 possession with two jokers)
  • With odd numbers: The extra player acts as a fixed joker in the middle with whoever has the ball.

Age

U16U19Senior

Variations

  • With jokers. Two jokers always play with the team in possession and cannot score.
  • Fewer touches. Limited to two touches per player to speed up the change of direction.

Source: Gesdep (adaptado)