Small-sided game: Winning your battles

WHY USE IT

This practice introduces overloads in a small-sided game. When overloaded, players may be more willing to take a risk and try to beat a player 1v1, as they know they have a safety net of an extra player.

SET UP

One of the teams – in this example, the Blues – starts with a player on the pitch. Every other player needs a ball and should be positioned in their own half ready to join in.

HOW TO PLAY

Start 1v0 – Blue gets a free shot. A Red player dribbles in to attack 1v1 as soon as the previous ball is considered ‘dead’ (goalkeeper save, goal or ball goes out). After the 1v1 has played out, a Blue passes into another Blue and joins in 2v1. Once the 2v1 has played out, a Red passes in and plays 2v2. The practice builds into a 5v5 small-sided game. Make sure both teams get a chance to be over/underloaded.

Alternative scoring: Goals scored when underloaded are worth two.

COACHING POINTS

• Recap the things that were been coached before, such as 1v1 moves, attacking quickly and reaction to transition, to help link the previous practices to the live game.
• Explore players’ decision-making as to why, when and where they may go solo or combine with others.