4 v 4 by Game Number
Two small-sided games where everyone keeps the position number they play on Saturday.
A sideways pass looks like nothing to a twelve-year-old. This is the session where they feel it doing something — because the other team has to move, and then there is a gap.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
About 20 min in the core activity · Two fields of 4 v 4, keeper on the field
- Ages 11–13
- Two fields of 4 v 4, keeper on the field
- About 20 min in the core activity
- Cones, four small goals, pinnies, balls
Grab Cones, four small goals, pinnies, balls.
Build Mark two 25-by-35-yard fields with a small goal on each endline.
Place Four a side on each field, keeping their real game numbers. Start three in the defensive half and one forward.
Two short narrow fields side by side, a small goal at each end, four players a side.
- 1
Organize the players
Mark both fields and split the team by their real game numbers, three back and one forward per side.
“You're in your normal numbers today. Keeper plays out with you.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Point out that with three against one, someone is always free — the job is to find them, not to force it forward.
“Keep the ball. Move to the side, behind, or in front of whoever has it.”
- 3
Play
Run continuous games. When forward is closed and someone plays it sideways and a gap opens, stop and let everyone see it.
“Make an opening, or find an opening, and then play forward quickly.”
Look for A player checking BACK toward the ball to receive — the thing that looks like retreating and is not.
- 4
Switch and repeat
Let the forward player press, so keeping the ball costs something.
“They can come now. Head up earlier.”
Too hard? Take a defender off the pressing side so it is 3 v 1 and the outlet is obvious. Too easy? Even the numbers up and let both teams press.
Go deeper · 3 notes
Why it works
An extra player behind the ball means possession is always available, so the only reason to lose it is a decision. That makes the decision visible, which is the point.
What they learn
Sideways is not backwards. Moving the ball moves them, and then forward exists.
What's next
The same principle in their half, where getting numbers forward matters.
Where does this come from?
US Soccer and Massachusetts Youth Soccer — their published nine-a-side session plans for U13 and up.
A governing body published this — the same organization that writes the rules your league plays by.