Small-sided game

WHY USE IT

This warm-up gives the players what they want: the chance to play a game! It also allows them to practice all the movements and actions they will execute in in the training session or fixture ahead.

SET UP

Set up a number of small areas to cater for the number of players you are expecting, with a small goal at each end. The size of the areas should be relative to the age and ability of your players.

HOW TO PLAY

As soon as there are two players at your session, one game can start, 1v1. When another player arrives, this becomes a 2v1. When a fourth player arrives, the players can split between the two pitches, with a 1v1 on each pitch. As more players arrive, they join whichever area they want to, as long as there is no more than a one player overload and the players are split quite evenly between the two areas.

Possible adaptations:

• A wide range of rules or constraints can be added to the games, so that they link into the focus of the session to follow. For instance, if the session focus is on dribbling, teams could be limited to the number of passes they can make, or players might have to take a minimum number of touches when receiving the ball.