2v2 with Target Players to Small Goals
Two teams play 2v2 with a target player waiting on the end line — play into your target and take the return pass, and you're unlocked to score on the small goal.
Penetrating passes into a target player stretch the field — play forward, get it back, and finish on goal.
20 min tonight · Groups of 3 — 2v2 plus a target each
- Ages 9+
- Groups of 3 — 2v2 plus a target each
- 20 min as the drill is written
- Cones, pinnies, balls, Pugg goals
Grab Cones for the grid, pinnies to split the teams, balls, and your small goals.
Build Build a grid 25 by 40 yards, with the goals set as the diagram shows.
Place Split six players into two groups of three — a target for each team on the end line of the goal they're attacking, and the remaining four playing 2v2.
- 1
Organize the players
Split six players into two groups of three. Each group sends one player to the end line their team is attacking as the target; the other two take the field for 2v2. With more than six, create multiple playing fields so all players stay engaged.
“Groups of three — one of you is the target on the far end line, two of you are playing.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Walk the unlock rule — to score, a team must play the ball into their target player and receive it back from them; only then are they unlocked to score on the small goal. The target player can move along the goal line.
“You can't score cold — play your target, get it back, then go finish.”
- 3
Play
Let the 2v2 run. Encourage both teams to play forward and push the ball down the field, hold the target players to being ready in one or two touches, and watch the attackers move into a good supporting position to receive the ball back from the target and score.
“Play forward! Targets — one or two touches. Move for the give-back!”
Look for The move after the pass — attackers repositioning into a good supporting spot to receive the target's return ball and score.
- 4
Switch and repeat
Switch out the target players so everyone plays both jobs, and keep any extra fields running.
“New targets! Field players to the line — line players, you're in.”
If the ball never reaches a target, widen the grid while they play — more room to find the forward pass — then bring it back in.
Go deeper · 2 notes
Why it works
Locking the goal behind a target-and-return pass makes the penetrating pass the way to win — teams have to play forward into the target to stretch the field, then move into support to take the return and finish on goal.
What they learn
Penetrating passes into a target player — playing forward to push the ball down the field, target play in one or two touches, and moving into a good supporting position to receive and score.
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.