4v4+2 Endzone Keep-Away
Two teams of four fight to keep the ball in a small grid, with a teammate in each endzone and two neutral helpers on the sides.
Keeping the ball under pressure is built on scanning and quick decisions, and the endzone players teach awareness of the support waiting behind the defense.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, pinnies, and a supply of balls — keep the balls near you to restart play quickly.
- Build: Build a 12-by-20-yard grid, then mark a 3-by-12-yard endzone across each end.
- Place: Four players per team in the middle, one player from each team in each endzone, and the two neutrals outside the long sides. One team starts with the ball.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Keeping possession under pressure — scanning before receiving, a first touch into space, and constant movement to create passing lanes.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
The team with the ball plays 4v4 using the neutrals and their endzone teammates; win it and it's yours; an endzone player who dribbles out swaps spots with the passer.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Make two teams of six and pick two neutrals. Four from each team go in the middle, one from each team in each endzone, neutrals outside the long sides.
Coach says
Four in the middle, one of you in each endzone. Neutrals — you play for whoever has the ball.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one sequence — pass to your endzone player, they dribble out to join, and the passer takes their place. Note the exception — off a neutral's pass, no switch, the ball comes back out.
Coach says
Find your endzone player. When they dribble out, whoever passed it takes their spot.
3Play▾
Coach does
Start as simple keep-away with no scoring until the pattern flows, then add points — first for a run of passes, then for reaching your endzone player and keeping the ball.
Coach says
Quick passes! One touch, two touches — don't hold it.
Look for: Endzone players on the move — sliding side to side to open a passing angle instead of standing still.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Raise the target each round, up to the final progression — reach one endzone, keep the ball, then find the opposite one. The dribble-out switch keeps the endzone jobs rotating on its own.
Coach says
New round — reach one endzone, keep it, then find the other!
If it's not working
If points won't come, drop the number of passes it takes to earn one until they're scoring, then raise 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?
Easier: Make the grid bigger, or lower the pass count needed for a point.
Harder: Limit the middle to two touches or one, or remove the neutrals for a true 4v4.
Next: 4v4 in Thirds — the same possession habits, now with every player owning a lane.