6v4 Team Practice Numbers
A team of six may only pass in numerical order while an unrestricted team of four hunts the ball — a full game to two goals where moving and talking is the whole job.
Fixing the passing order makes movement and communication crucial for the team of six — and it's a great game to end an intense passing practice on.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
20 min tonight · 6v4, plus 2 keepers
- Ages 9+
- 6v4, plus 2 keepers
- 20 min as the drill is written
- Cones, pinnies, balls, 2 full-size goals
Grab Cones for the grid, pinnies to split the teams, balls, and your two full-size goals.
Build Set up a grid about 40 by 60 yards with a full-size goal at each end line.
Place Six field players against four with a goalkeeper in each goal — number the six from 1 to 6; the four need no numbers.
- 1
Organize the players
Split the field players into 6 vs 4 and put a goalkeeper in each goal. Number the team of six from 1 to 6 — the team of four does not need numbers.
“Count off, one through six — own your number. You four? No numbers, no rules.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Walk the one rule — the team of six must pass in numerical order; the team of four is not restricted. When the six win possession back, the numerical order begins again with the player who has the ball.
“Sixes — the ball only moves to your next number. Win it back, and the count starts fresh from whoever has it.”
- 3
Play
Watch the six — movement and communication will be crucial for them — and push the four to attack quickly to off-balance the six.
“Call your number! Move early! And you four — attack NOW, don't let them settle!”
Look for The next number moving and calling for the ball before it arrives.
- 4
Switch and repeat
For later rounds, make the six complete a pass to all six team members before going forward to goal — or grow the defense, 6v5 and then 6v6.
“New round — all six of you touch it before anyone goes to goal!”
If the order keeps dying before it starts, stretch the field while they play — more room gives the next number time to move and be found.
Go deeper · 2 notes
Why it works
The fixed passing order turns movement and communication into the whole job for the team of six, while the unrestricted four attacking quickly keeps the six from ever settling — team movement, communication, and passing all under real pressure.
What they learn
Team movement, communication, and passing in a fixed order under pressure — and quick, direct attacking for the team of four.
Where does this come from?
SoccerXpert — their published drill library.
A published drill library. Useful and widely used, but not a governing body — so it fills gaps rather than leading.