Soccer Coach Weekly

A guide to the game formats in soccer

by

Soccer Coach Weekly

What are game formats? Which ages play which format? What is different about each one? And how do we help our players when moving between different formats?

Trusted by thousands of coaches

Volunteer coach

You volunteered to coach but have no coaching experience or qualifications. You’re short of time and could benefit from being told what to ...

Travel / ODP coach

You’ve been coaching a while but are looking for ideas and inspiration to help you take your team to the next level.

High School coach

You’re looking for an extra edge in the pursuit of excellence and will do whatever you can to help the players in your care be successful ...

Director of Coaching

You manage a team of coaches who rely on you for coaching plans and advice. You could benefit from finding a reliable resource to help them ...

Want content tailored to your interests?

REGISTER NOW

Latest

The ultimate 5-a-side formation guide

Creating a positive climate for learning

Getting to grips with the 'power play' rule

A guide to the game formats in soccer

The different ways to structure a soccer training session

What to do if a game or training is called off

Editor's Picks

Reflect on your year of coaching

As the year draws to a close, take stock of the progress you’ve made as a coach.

Five fun Christmas soccer games

Use these fun Christmas-themed games to put on the ultimate fun, festive session for your players!

20 tips for training in cold conditions

From layering up and keeping on the move, to considering goalkeepers and medical ailments, Steph Fairbairn gives advice for coaching on ...

How to manage player behaviour in sessions

Disruptive and inattentive squad? James Tolley may well have the answers...

Featured Coaches

Ben Bartlett

Head of Academy Coaching

Former Head of Academy Coaching at Fulham FC, Ben spent 12 years redefining the coaching pathway at the English FA.

Ian Barker

Director of Coach Education

Former Director of coaching education at United Soccer Coaches, Ian has an unparalleled knowledge of the challenges facing youth coaches

Michael Beale

Championship Manager

One of the world’s most-highly regarded coaches, Michael has authored a number of books with Soccer Coach Weekly

Samantha Snow

Grassroots Director

Sam is Executive Director of Bluesprings Soccer Association and delivers coaching courses for US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches.

Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Coaching Advice

Creating a positive climate for learning

The key to success, on and off the field, comes from the environment that you develop as a coach. Harry Titley shares his seven-step ...

Getting to grips with the 'power play' rule

In certain youth leagues, players can be added or removed when the scoreline becomes too one-sided. Here is how it works and how you can ...

A guide to the game formats in soccer

What are game formats? Which ages play which format? What is different about each one? And how do we help our players when moving between ...

The different ways to structure a soccer training session

When planning for training, consider your topic, the type of practices you’ll use and what you will need to make it work.

Soccer Warm-Ups

Warm up: Individual possession

Develop young players’ confidence in staying on the ball in this practice.

Warm up: The shooting range

This session will have your team peppering the opponents’ goal. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two ...

Warm up: Turn on the switch

Use this three-part session to create gaps in the defence by switching play and then making the killer pass.

Warm-up: The right combination

Develop touch, movement and passing in tight areas to break into space and create.

Soccer Drills

Clever out wide

Improve your wingers’ quality of delivery into the feet of attackers, who need to escape their markers and score.

Split defence and finish

This lively activity helps forwards to make well-timed runs beyond the back line and create a 1v1 with the goalkeeper.

Continuous crossing

Help your players hone their crossing skills – this game will help them get the ball into the box at the right time.

Step up to win the ball

Encourages players to push out of defence to claim possession of the ball before it reaches dangerous areas.

Small-sided Soccer Games

Small-sided game: Individual possession

Develop young players’ confidence in staying on the ball in this practice. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with ...

Small-sided game: Freedom of the press

This session promotes proactive closing down to win possession. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two ...

Small-sided game: Setting the traps

Coach the techniques, principles and tactics of defending as a unit to win the ball in wide areas.

Small-sided game: The shooting range

This session will have your team peppering the opponents’ goal. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two ...

Practice Plans

Movements to lose a defender

This session is designed to improve movement off the ball in order to lose a defender and receive a pass.

The shield

This session is crucial to develop a competitive edge in your players. Learning how to challenge for the ball and shield it from an ...

England’s number one

Goalkeeping is not simply about making eye-catching dives to the top corner of the goal. This session will help improve your goalkeepers’ ...

Coping with pressure

Players can find the game mentally tiring and it is important they retain their composure. This session will help them pass and receive the ...