End Zone Game
Two teams play end to end — win the ball into one end zone, then work it all the way into the other to score.
End zones put the space behind the defense on the scoreboard — attackers learn to attack it, and defenders learn to deny it.
Starting at Core — your team is set to mixed.
20 min tonight · Two even teams
- Ages 10+
- Two even teams
- 20 min as the drill is written
- Cones, pinnies, balls
Grab Cones, pinnies for one team, and a few balls.
Build Build a 50-by-30-yard field, then mark a 5-yard end zone across each end.
Place Both teams spread out on the field. Ball starts with one team.
- 1
Organize the players
Split into two evenly matched teams, one in pinnies.
“Two teams. You score end zone to end zone.”
- 2
Show the jobs
Walk the scoring — possession in your own end zone starts the attack, and the point only comes when your team gains possession in the far end zone. A turnover on the way wipes it.
“Get the ball in one end zone, then go — the point comes when you have it in the other one.”
- 3
Play
Keep it running and award points only for clean end-zone-to-end-zone possession. The fundamentals carry it — passing, moving, support.
“Pass, move, support! Win it? Counter — quick!”
Look for Attacks launched the moment the ball turns over — the space behind the defense hit before it closes.
- 4
Switch and repeat
Play it in rounds. When the passing needs sharpening, run the variation — a touch limit for everyone.
“New round — limited touches! Play it quicker!”
If nobody can get end to end, move a player across so one team is up a number until an attack connects, then even it back up.
Go deeper · 3 notes
Why it works
The end zones make the space behind the defense the whole game — attackers only score by getting into it, defenders only survive by denying it, and every turnover is an invitation to counter quickly.
What they learn
Attacking the space behind the defense, denying it when defending, and quick counters — carried by passing, moving, and support.
What's next
4v4 to Target Players — the end zone shrinks to two windows and a teammate's feet.
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.