4v4 in Thirds
Two teams of four play to small goals on a field split into three lanes — wingers own the outsides, the target player and defender hold the middle.
Shape is every player owning one job — wingers stretching the width, the target stretching the field toward goal, the defender supporting as the last man — and the lanes make those jobs visible.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
20 min tonight · Two teams of 4 (4v4)
- Ages 7–14
- Two teams of 4 (4v4)
- 20 min as the drill is written
- Cones, pinnies, balls, 2 Pugg goals
Grab Pinnies, balls, two Pugg goals, and cones — including small ones to mark the lanes.
Build Build a grid about 40 by 25 yards, divide it into three lanes — left, center, right — with the small cones, and set a Pugg goal on each endline.
Place Left wingers in the left lane, right wingers in the right lane, and each team's target player and defender in the center lane. Each team defends one goal.
- 1
Organize the players
Make two teams of four and hand out the jobs — left winger, right winger, target player, defender. Wingers into their outside lanes, target and defender into the middle.
“Wingers, you live in your outside lane. Target and defender — the middle is yours.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Walk the shape — wingers stretch the width, the target pushes toward the goal you're attacking, the defender supports everyone while staying the last man.
“Wingers — stretch it wide. Target — stretch it long. Defender — help everyone, but stay the last one back.”
- 3
Play
Play 4v4, each team defending its Pugg goal. Hold players to their lanes and push them to use the whole length of each one.
“Stay in your lane, but move up and down it! Heads up — keep talking.”
Look for Heads on a constant pivot — players looking up and reading the field before the ball arrives.
- 4
Switch and repeat
When a team reaches five goals, end the round and switch out players or teams so everyone plays every job.
“That's five — new round! New lanes, new jobs.”
Freeze the game and ask the wingers where they should be — let them look, say it out loud, and fix it — then play on.
Go deeper · 3 notes
Why it works
Four players means every job matters and nobody can hide: the lanes hold the team's width and depth for them, so heads can come up to read the game, find supporting angles, and talk each other through it — with their own third of the field giving every player the time and space to receive.
What they learn
Team shape and positioning — stretching the field, supporting from your own lane, and pressure, cover, and balance when the ball is lost.
What's next
Playing Wide Out of the Back — the same wide lanes, now the escape route out of your own half.
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.