How it works
- Who starts
- The coach (E), who puts a ball into play from the touchline.
- Who takes part
- Two teams of 4 outfield players, no goalkeepers: the reds take the ball to the zone on the right and the blues to the one on the left. And the coach (E), on the touchline.
- What the ball does
- E passes to A. A passes to B and B dribbles into the zone on the right, where he leaves the ball. A blue runs to close him down but arrives too late.
- How to score
- Each ball left in the opponents' zone is a point.
- When it ends
- After 3 minutes; the team with the most balls in the opponents' zone wins.
- How it restarts
- Every time a ball stays in a zone or goes out of the pitch, the coach puts another one in.
- How players rotate
- There is no rotation of positions: every 3 minutes the teams swap ends and another game is played.
Number of players
6-12 players
Format
4v4 to end zone
Recommended
4 × 15 min
Rest 60s · High intensity
Space
Small-sided space
Space
20×30 m
Goal
Progress by dribbling towards a zone, shield the ball from the opponent and react quickly to every new ball.
Description
A 30x20 m pitch with a 2 m zone at the far end of each side. Two teams of 4. The coach, on the touchline, has lots of balls and puts one into play. To score, you have to dribble into the opponents' zone and leave the ball there, stationary: that ball stays and the coach puts another in straight away. At the end, the team with the most balls in the opponents' zone wins. It's a very intense dribbling and shielding game with no breaks, ideal for working on agility and endurance while playing.
Step by step
- 1
E passes the ball to A.
- 2
A passes to B, who is free.
- 3
B dribbles to the zone and a blue tries to close him down.
- 3.1 B dribbles.
- 3.2 The blue runs.
Rules
You can only enter the zone by dribbling, not with a pass. No defender may enter the zone. Balls already in a zone can't be touched. If the ball goes out, the coach puts another in at once. Games of 3 minutes; the team with the most balls in the opponents' zone wins.
Equipment
- 15 balls
- 8 cones for the zones
- Bibs in 2 colours
Physical focus
Recommended times by goal
- Technical: 4 × 3'45" · rest 1' · High intensityOrientativo
Rotation and restart
There is no rotation of positions. Every 3 minutes the zones are emptied, the teams swap ends and another game is played.
Coaching points
- On the ball, head up to see the gap.
- If they close you down, shield with your body or pass to the free team-mate.
- Off the ball, the nearest player presses and the others block the route to the zone.
Common mistakes
Everyone chases the ball.
How to correct: Rule: two players from each team can't go past the halfway line when defending.
They dribble with their head down towards the defender.
How to correct: Look for the free side of the zone: it's wide, there's no need to go down the middle.
They stop to celebrate and the opponents score with the new ball.
How to correct: The coach puts in the next ball as soon as the previous one has been left in the zone.
Questions for the players
- “When is it better to dribble and when to pass to a team-mate?”
- “What do you do when the coach puts in a new ball and your team is attacking?”
Levels
- A · easy4 m zones and two balls in play at the same time.
- B · standard2 m zones and one ball at a time, as described.
- C · advancedYou must make at least one pass before entering the zone.
If you have fewer or more players
- With 6 fewer: 3 v 3 on 25x15 m. (3v3 to end zone)
- With 10 more: 5 v 5 on 35x25 m, or two pitches. (5v5 to end zone)
- With odd numbers: A joker who plays with the team that has the ball.
Age
Variations
- Golden ball. Every now and then the coach puts in a ball of a different colour worth 3 points.
- Ball stealing. A player may go into their own zone and take a ball out from the opponents' dribbler.
Source: Gesdep (adaptado)