How to use games and matches in training

Every training session should include some form of a game within it.

After all, that is what all players, no matter their age or experience, play soccer for. 

Yet, often, we set our players up to play a game with little focus, purpose, or direction. In doing so, we lose an opportunity to direct and shape learning. 

When playing games in training, keep these basic principles front of mind...

• Play within the laws of the game. That means a rectangular pitch, with a halfway line, and a goal placed centrally at each end; playing offside, where relevant; and, if you have uneven numbers, playing with them, rather than using a ‘magic player’, and changing the teams at half-time.
• Keep ball-rolling time to a maximum, allowing as much playing time as possible.
• Give the game direction and purpose, in line with the principles of play and the theme and aims of your session.
• Keep your interventions to a minimum; instead, offer individuals, units and the group challenges to focus their learning.

Types of game

Small-sided games

Small-sided games allow for more intense play and for players to have more touches of the ball.

They can be as small as 2v2 – numbers can be chosen based on outcomes desired or the number of players at a session. 

These games can also be manipulated to allow certain players to play together or go up against each other.

Some examples of attacking challenges in small-sided games may be:

• Work out if the best option is to dribble or pass.
• Look for opportunities to split the defenders with a one-touch pass.
• When receiving, try to break a line with your first touch.
• Try to keep possession with your first pass.
• Try to bypass as many defenders as you can when passing forward.
• Look for opportunities to pass the ball with one touch.

Some examples of defending challenges may be:

• When transitioning from covering to pressing a player, try to travel as the ball travels.
• Be ready to win the ball back within three passes.
• Look for opportunities to intercept and set up counter-attacks.

"Small-sided games allow for more intense play and more touches of the ball..."

Group practices

These involve all players, are lower intensity and offer less time on the ball per player.

They give an opportunity for players to explore the principles of play and for coaches to give more position-focused challenges. For older ages, they allow the learning and practising of some tactical information.

A group practice is the most realistic of practices, presenting players with the overall challenge of when to do what, as the game moves in real time. 

A group practice can be given an overall objective, alongside specifc outcomes and challenges. An example is:

• Objective: Get the ball into the front players as quickly as you can.
• Attacking outcomes: Height, width depth.
• Defending outcomes: Compactness, pressure, cover, balance, recovery.
• Attacking challenges:
  If you find yourself at the back of your team, look to pass forward off one or two touches.
  If you find yourself in the middle of your team, try to let the ball run across your body and play forward as a first action.
  If you find yourself at the top of your team, look for one-touch opportunities to shoot or set up team-mates to shoot.
• Defending challenges:
  If you find yourself at the front of your team, try to press your opponent as the ball travels.
  If you find yourself in the middle of your team, look for opportunities to intercept and set up counter-attacks.
  If you find yourself at the back of your team, work out when its best to mark your opponent or cover your team-mates.