Small-Sided Finishing Game
Defenders let shots fly from their half, forwards hunt every rebound, and the spare balls behind each goal keep the game from ever stopping.
Shooting and finishing improve by volume — quick shots taken on half chances, and forwards trained to follow every strike in for the rebound.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, plenty of balls, and your two goals with keepers.
- Build: Build an area about the size of the penalty area — 18 by 40 yards — with a goal on each end. Mark the center point with cones, and taper each sideline in toward the goals; the shape keeps players out of bad shooting angles.
- Place: Four defenders and two attackers in each half — everyone stays on the side where they start — with spare balls behind each goal for quick restarts.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Shooting and finishing — quick shots off limited touches, taking half chances, and following rebounds in on the keeper.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Defenders shoot from their half the moment they can, forwards follow every shot in for the rebound, and the keepers and spare balls keep play rolling.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Set up a 4v2 in each half — four defenders and two attackers — with a keeper in each goal. Everyone stays on their starting side all game.
Coach says
Four and two in each half — your side is your side all game. Keepers, you run the restarts.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the jobs — the defenders must shoot from their half; the forwards follow every shot and finish the rebounds; when a keeper recovers one, they distribute quickly to their defenders and play continues; a ball over the goal means a new ball comes in fast from behind it.
Coach says
Defenders — shoot from your half; don't wait for perfect. Forwards — follow every shot in for the rebound.
3Play▾
Coach does
Keep the tempo high and the restarts instant. Encourage half chances and limited touches before shooting — this game is shots.
Coach says
Shoot! You miss every shot you don't take!
Look for: Forwards moving on the strike — following every shot in and getting to the keeper's face for the rebound.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Run the next round with the touch restriction — defenders get three touches, forwards just one — and watch the shots come quicker and the chances multiply.
Coach says
New round — three touches back there, one up front. Quicker shots!
If it's not working
If the shots won't come, cap the touches — three for defenders, one for forwards — and the half chances start getting taken.
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?
Harder: Cap the touches — defenders three, forwards one — for quicker shots and more opportunities.