This document describes several small-sided game (SSG) exercises focusing on different tactical and technical objectives. The exercises involve 3v3 or 3v2 scenarios within confined areas and include variations and coaching points. The general format includes a diagram of the playing area, objective of the exercise, potential variations, and coaching points to emphasize during play.

1. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v2+ GK’s: ‘Counter Attacking’
Diagram:
Area: 30 x 20 yards with full sized goals.
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: The Reds will attack 3v2 and will look to strike to goal. Once they strike to goal (score, hit the target or miss) they will retreat to touch their post before coming out as 2 to defend. As soon as the reds have had a shot the blues will come out towards goal as a 3 (3v2). This sequence will continue from end to end. If the defending team wins the ball they have 5 seconds to score. The overload will only change over on the attacking team striking to goal. The game is first to 2, winners stays on.
NB:
 This a very tiring exercise, so drinks/ rest breaks should be incorporated appropriately.
 When defenders retreat is important they touch the post to give the advantage to the attacking team.
Variations:
 3v3.
 Limit the number of players that can touch the ball before striking to goal.
 Use half way to ensure that the teams counter and utilize the overload instead of long range shooting.
Coaching Points:
 Forward pass to the point as early as possible (Exploit space).
 Angles and distance of support to the first pass.
 End product.
Outcome:
 Developing an appreciation of the need to transition with speed on the turn over of possession.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

2. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v3+ GK: ‘Dominating in the 1v1’.
Diagram:
Area: 15x 15 yards across the 3 zones with full sized goals
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: Each player is allocated a zone and has to dominate their immediate opponent across all the 3 zones. Looking at defenders have the believe to take the ball under pressure off the goalkeeper, the midfielder creating space (coming out of tight areas) to create space to play a intelligent through ball. In the final third looking at the striker creating space or taking the defender on to shoot to goal. If the opposition win the ball then they will transfer to goal
Variations:
 Overloading through the zones.
 Focus on dominating defensively in each of the three zones.
Coaching Points:
 Courage to take the ball.
 Recognition of the defenders position.
 Keep the ball moving with the, regular changes of direction to unbalance defender.
Outcomes:
 Placing individuals under pressure where they can’t hide or pass responsibility. Identifying with their mental stability and also giving them a basic positional understanding i.e defender, midfielder, attacker.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points and exercise outcomes, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

3. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v3, Long Range finishing.
Diagram:
Area: A Central Area of 15 x 15, 2 end zones of 15 x10. Full sized goals.
These distances will change in accordance to the age and ability of players, and objectives of the session.
Objective: Keeper will play the ball out to one of their team and they will either dribble to finish, or link to finish/ strike to goal from within the central area. 2 goals and your off, winner stays on and the spare team are responsible for collecting the balls. (alternatively if you don’ have GK’s with the session then the spare team will go in the goals).
NB: When the keeper roles the ball out, one of the players can drop into the GK zone, unchallenged to allow them to play out. The player is encouraged to drop into the zone at the right time and must check his shoulder as the ball travels.
Variations:
1. Got to play a one, two before striking to goal.
2. Must perform a trick before striking to goal.
3. Must strike with the laces/ or inside of the foot.
Coaching Points:
 Movement off the ball (i.e Diagonal Runs/ overlapping runs)
 Decision on the ball to pass or dribble.
 Taking the shot on ‘EARLY’.
 Recognizing the position of the goal keeper.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

4. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v3 Switch Ball
Diagram:
Area: 20 x12 yards with 4 x 3 yard goals.
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: The two teams will attack in opposite directions and can attack either of the wide goals. The aim for both teams is to dribble through either one of the goals.
NB: Very often players will guard the goals to prevent space to dribble through. Coaches should then ensure that the nearest defending player presses the ball.
Variations:
1. Change the position of the goals.
2. Change the size of the area to make the task more or less difficult.
Coaching Points:
1. Width and depth.
2. Good body shape to change the point of attack.
3. Attacking the goal/ space early in wide areas. (Positive).
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

5. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v3: End Zones.
Diagram:
Area: 20 x 12 yards with 2, 5 x 20 End/Receiving zones
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: Each team will be allocated a direction to play in. To score, the ball needs to be played through into the end zone where the attacker must arrive as the ball arrives.
NB: Please note that the work to rest ratio in this exercise is very important as the players are constantly active.
Variations:
1. Change the dimensions of the field to simplify or make the exercise more difficult.
2. Players can dribble into the end zone.
Coaching Points:
1. Movement ahead of the ball (Diagonal runs).
2. Timing, weight and disguise of the pass.
3. Encourage combination play.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

6. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v3- Break Out
Area: a central area of 15 x15 yards with end zones of 10 x15 yards. Full sized goals.
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: Each team will be allocated a direction to play in. To score a central player needs to dribble out of the central area (where it’s 3v3) to finish 1v1 on the goal keeper, once into the final 1/3 no defender can give chase. When playing out from the back one of the defenders can drop into receive off the goal keeper unchallenged, to then play into the central area.
NB: Please note that the work to rest ratio in this exercise is very important as the players are constantly active.
Variations:
 Defenders can make recovery runs into the final 1/3
 Increase the space in the end zone and play through balls. Player has to time run not to be offside.
 Have to make a 3 passes before being able to dribble out.
 Use the keepers as additional player to possess- get then used to dealing with the ball.
Coaching Points:
 Create space to receive, to try to receive opened out.
 Positive in 1v1 situations and drive into the final 1/3 as early as possible.
 Recognition of GK position when through on goal.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

7. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
‘Standard 3v3 with GK’s’
Diagram:
Area: 25 x 20 yards with full sized goals.
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: To start this is an open game and players will be asked to play as they wish to finish to goal. Players will play for 4 minutes and will then have a rest ( approx 1 minute) as this a constantly active session.
Variations:
 Restrict touches.
 Players must combine for finishing (I.e. 1-2).
 Players can only finish over half way or alternatively in their own half.
Coaching Points:
 Effective use of field space.
 Angles and distance of support.
 Rotation of positions.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

8. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
Standard 3v3 with mini goals.
Diagram:
Area: 20 x 12 yards with 2 mini goals 2 yards wide. (These are only an example of the size of the goals).
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: Each team will be allocated a direction to play in. To score, the ball needs to be finished with 1 touch.
NB: Please note that the work to rest ratio in this exercise is very important as the players are constantly active.
Variations:
 Change the dimensions of the field to simplify or make the exercise more difficult.
 Vary the touch allocation in different areas of the field.
 All players have to be over half way to score.
 Play with a Futsal ball.
Coaching Points:
1. Individual skill.
2. Movement off the ball.
3. Tempo.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.

9. Psychological
Tactical Physical
Technical
SSG
3v3: Finishing from the Strikers set.
Diagram:
Area: Two penalty areas with a 5 yard free zone the width of the penalty area. (Full sized goals).
These dimensions will vary in accordance to age, ability and objective of the session.
Objective: The goal keeper will play the ball out from the back to one of the 2 defenders; from there we are looking at the striker dropping into the ‘free receiving zone’ to receive the forward pass. The ball will then be set back to either of the defenders to strike to goal. When the striker drops into the receiving zone he must arrive at the right time and must check his shoulder as the ball travels. If he doesn’t the other team gets the ball.
NB: Please note that the work to rest ratio in this exercise is very important as the players are constantly active.
Variations:
 The defender can follow the striker into the zone and challenge from behind.
 Dictate a certain type of finish (driven/ shaped).
 Limit the number of touches.
Coaching Points:
1. Timing of the striker to come to receive (awareness of when the ball can passed forward).
2. Decision of who to set the ball to.
3. Positive mentality when striking to goal – take the shot on early.
Please note these are only suggestions as to the coaching points, the coach needs to identify what the specific needs of each individual player are, the development stage of the group and the focus of the exercise.