3v3 in the 18
Two teams play 3v3 inside the 18 with a keeper in goal — play through an outside teammate to unlock your attack, swap places with them, and shoot on any half chance.
Attacking in the final third — quick combinations near the goal and the shot taken on any half chance, because inside the 18 you are always in scoring range.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, pinnies in two colors, balls, and your full-size goal.
- Build: The 18-yard box is your field — the full-size goal on its line, keeper in it.
- Place: Three players from each team inside the box; everyone else spreads around the outside of the 18, alternating colors.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Attacking in the final third, quick combination play near the goal, shooting around the 18-yard line, and taking shots on half chances.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
3v3 inside the 18 — a team must play through an outside teammate, and swap places with them, before it can go to goal, then take any half chance that shows.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Divide the group into two teams — red and yellow. Put three of each inside the 18 and the keeper in goal; everyone else spreads around the outside of the box, alternating colors.
Coach says
Three reds, three yellows inside. Everybody else around the box — red, yellow, red, yellow.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the unlock rule — the team in possession must play the ball through an outside teammate before it is active to go to goal. The passer and that outside player switch roles the moment the ball goes through, and the team is free to attack. If the other team wins possession, the same rule applies to them.
Coach says
You can't score until the ball goes through one of your outside players — and when it does, you trade places with them. Then hunt the goal.
3Play▾
Coach does
Keep it very dynamic — players changing roles constantly. Encourage shots on any half chance, since they are in scoring range, and push the quick 1-2s that get the shot off.
Coach says
You're in range — shoot it! Half a chance is a chance!
Look for: Shots taken on half chances — quick 1-2s that get the shot off instead of one pass too many.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
The outside switches rotate the game by themselves — keep them honest so everyone cycles through the middle. Then reset and run it again.
Coach says
Outside players, stay ready — you're one pass from being in.
If it's not working
If nobody shoots, freeze it and ask — were you in range just there? Let a player answer, then play on.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.