Shut the Wings
One team attacks a real goal from the flanks, the other defends it and counters into two cone goals — deny the cross and the field is yours.
Most goals against young teams start with an uncontested cross — this teaches the defenders to get in front of the ball before it ever comes in.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, pinnies in two colors, a supply of balls.
- Build: Mark a 50-by-30-yard field with the regular goal at one end and two cone goals at the other.
- Place: Red attacking the regular goal with three tries to score, blue defending it and countering into the cone goals.
One thing to remember: Move with the ball as a unit and get in front of it before the cross comes in.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Red gets three opportunities to score in the regular goal while blue denies the crosses and counters into either cone goal — then the jobs flip.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Set the field with the regular goal and both cone goals, and give the attacking team its three-try count out loud.
Coach says
Reds — three chances at the big goal. Blues — deny the cross, win it, and hit a cone goal.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one flank attack — the closest defender gets in front of the ball to deny the pass or cross, and the rest shift with the ball, goal-side, to close the openings behind.
Coach says
When their wide player has it, the closest one of you gets in front. Everyone else moves WITH the ball and covers.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run 3-minute rounds with 30 seconds between, rotating players between rounds. At a break, ask why the defenders must move with the ball — then watch the shift happen.
Coach says
Get in front of the ball. Deny the cross, force it backwards.
Look for: The whole defense shifting with the ball — closest player in front of it, the rest closing openings behind.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Flip attackers and defenders after each set of three tries so both teams practice shutting the flank. Switch variants when the level is wrong.
Coach says
Flip it! Blues, your three chances — reds, shut the wings.
If it's not working
Too hard? Go 2v3 in a 20-by-30 field — blocking a pass or shot from the flank scores a point. Too easy? 6v6 on a half field with two regular goals.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Easier: 2v3s in two 20-by-30 fields — a point for every blocked pass or shot from the flank.
Harder: 6v6 in a half field with two regular goals.
Next: In the closing game, the transfer to watch is defenders protecting the goal by getting in front of the ball without being told — that is Saturday's game arriving early.