The Numbers Game
Two numbered teams wait off the field — you play a ball in, call a number, and those two players sprint on to fight a 1v1 until a goal or the ball goes out of bounds.
The whole 1v1 game in one rep — dribbling, shooting, shielding, turning, and beating an opponent.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, the alternate jerseys for one team, a supply of balls, and your small goals.
- Build: Build a small 1v1 field, about 15 by 20 yards, with two small goals on each end line.
- Place: Split the group into two even teams and number the players on each — five per team means 1 through 5. One team wears the alternate jerseys; the teams wait off the field, as the diagram shows.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: The dynamics of the 1v1 — taking on an opponent, shooting when there's a chance at a goal, and protecting the ball when necessary.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
You play a ball into the area and call out a number — the player with that number on each team sprints on and they play 1v1 until a team scores or the ball goes out of bounds.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Make two even teams, one in the alternate jerseys, and assign a number to each player on each team — the same set of numbers on both sides. Take your spot with the ball supply.
Coach says
Number off — and remember yours. When you hear it, you're on.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — you play a ball into the area and call out a number; the player assigned that number on each team sprints onto the field and they play 1v1. The game runs until a team scores or the ball goes out of bounds.
Coach says
I roll the ball in and call a number. That's your ball, both of you — go win it.
3Play▾
Coach does
Keep the reps coming, mixing your numbers. Encourage players to take on their opponent, to shoot whenever they have a chance at a goal, and to protect the ball when necessary.
Coach says
Take them on! See the goal? Shoot!
Look for: The take-on — a player attacking their opponent off the dribble and shooting when the chance shows, rather than waiting.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Work through the numbers so everyone plays. To grow it, run more than one 1v1 at the same time, or call out two or more numbers to create a 2v2 or 3v3.
Coach says
Two numbers this time — three and five! Now it's a 2v2.
If it's not working
If the waiting players go cold, run more than one 1v1 at the same time — more numbers on the field at once.
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: Call out two or more numbers to create a 2v2 or 3v3 — or run more than one 1v1 at the same time.