Get Outta Here
A lightning 1v1 game — score and you stay on, get scored on and you're back in line, and a ball out of bounds sends both players sprinting off as the next pair flies in.
A very fast-paced small-sided game — dribbling, passing, and scoring packed into a format that never slows down.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, pinnies, a supply of balls, and practice sticks or a small goal for each end.
- Build: Build a 15-by-25 grid — size it to the age and skill in front of you — with a goal on each end.
- Place: Assign each team a goal it defends all game. Both teams line up, one on each side of you, at the sideline where you stand with the balls.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: The small-sided game — good skills to beat defenders, taking shots, and small-group passing with early support.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
You serve a ball in and the first player from each line plays 1v1 — score and stay on, get scored on and rejoin your line, and a ball out of bounds clears the field for the next pair.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Divide into two teams and assign each a goal — the same goal all game. Line the teams up on either side of you at the sideline, with the ball supply at your feet.
Coach says
Your goal is your goal all game. Two lines, one on each side of me — first players, get ready.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the rules — you play a ball into the grid and the first player from each line goes 1v1. Score, and you stay on while the player who was scored on returns to their line. Ball out of bounds, and both players are outta there — they sprint off the field back to their lines while a fresh player from each team races in. Play the next ball in immediately, to the team that scored.
Coach says
Score, you stay. Get scored on, back in line. Ball goes out? You're BOTH outta here — sprint off, next two, GO!
3Play▾
Coach does
Keep the balls coming instantly — the speed is the whole game. Promote good moves to beat the defender and shots taken, and in the bigger rounds, good small-group passing and early support.
Coach says
Next ball's coming — no rest! Take them on and get your shot off!
Look for: The move to beat the defender — a player taking their opponent on and getting a shot away instead of waiting.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Grow the game — increase the field and progress to 2v2, then 3v3. Limit touches in the 2v2 or 3v3 — you pick the number — to encourage passing, or require beating a player before any pass to encourage take-ons.
Coach says
Bigger field — twos on! Limited touches this round, so make every one count.
If it's not working
If the 1v1s drag on with nobody scoring, walk the grid in smaller between serves — closer goals end the fights faster — then grow it back.
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: Increase the field and progress to 2v2 then 3v3, limit touches to encourage passing, or require beating a player before passing.