9v7 to the End Zones

Nine attackers in a 1-3-2-3 work the ball past seven defenders and score by dribbling or passing into the end zone — keeper included, start to finish.

Changing the point of attack is how a team keeps building in the opponent's half — and how that buildup turns into chances and goals.

Ages 9–119 Blue (keeper included) + 7 Red (built for 16)Up to 30 minCones, pinnies in two colors, balls

Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive

Grab: Cones, pinnies in two colors, and a supply of balls.
Build: Between the centerline and the penalty box, mark out a 26-by-55-yard field with end zones.
Place: Blue's nine in a 1-3-2-3 with the ball at their keeper's feet — the keeper launches every attack. Red's seven opposite.

One thing to remember: Switching the point of attack, spreading out, and creating passing options in the opponent's half.

How it runs — the whole game in one sentence

Blue's nine build up in a 1-3-2-3 and score by dribbling or passing into the end zone; Red's seven score by dribbling into the end zone if they win the ball.

1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Mark the field with its end zones, split nine Blue and seven Red into two colors, and set Blue's 1-3-2-3 with the keeper holding the first ball.
Coach says
Blues, one-three-two-three — your keeper starts every attack. Reds, win it and dribble into the end zone.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — the keeper launches, Blue builds through the 1-3-2-3, and a dribble or completed pass into the end zone scores. The keeper stays in the attack for back passes and switches of play the whole way.
Coach says
Switch, use space, be open. Take opponents on.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run it with two breaks, the source's own way — at the first break, ask the guided question and let them keep playing to discover the answer; at the second, they share answers with you and each other.
Coach says
Where on the field do you have the best chance of breaking through to the end zone? Keep playing — show me.
Look for: The ball switched to the far wing — and the new attacker dribbling forward immediately into the space it opens.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Send every restart back through Blue's keeper — the launch is part of the game. Switch variants when the level is wrong — that is the design, not a failure.
Coach says
Back to your keeper. Launch it again.

If it's not working

Too hard? Switch to 9v6 on one goal with a goalkeeper — Red defends in the center zone, and if Blue breaks through, attackers and defenders all follow. Too easy? Go 8v8 — Blue builds from the end zone, and Red can only defend in the center zone. Spend the thirty minutes either way.

Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.

Why are we doing this?

The guided answers are our Shift the Axis goal in the governing body's own words — the best chance of breaking through is on the wings, and you set yourselves up to score by switching the point of attack. The rest of the answer is the follow-through in kids' language: dribble forward immediately, use our extra players, don't be afraid of 1v1s, and use forward runs to create passing options behind the defense.

What are they learning?

Switching the point of attack, spreading out, and creating passing options in the opponent's half.

How can I change it?

Easier: 9v6 on one goal with a goalkeeper — Red defends in the center zone; if Blue breaks through, attackers and defenders all follow.

Harder: 8v8 on the same end zones — Blue builds from the end zone and can use it; Red can only defend in the center zone.

Next: 2v1 Plus One up the Middle — the chances this buildup creates, taken all the way to goal.