This practice is designed to provide players with opportunities to practice combination play in a 3v3 scenario. The rules of the game lend itself to repetition of 1v1 moments and chances to create, score or stop goals.

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About the Video

In the video below, Dan will talk you through the structure of the practice, various outcomes and how you can adapt it for your players.

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Practice Overview

Topic: Combination Play

No. of Players: 14

Goalkeepers: N/A

Practice Type: SSG

Offsides: N/A

Pitch Size: 24 x 16

Timing: 15 – 20 mins

Age Group: U9+

Interpreting the Diagrams

The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.

If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the Player Development Project Coaching Community.

Key For Diagrams
soccer training diagram

Diagrams

Area set up to 3v3 inside with 4 goals at either end of the pitch. 6 players (3 for each team) wait on outside as shown in the figure above. Coach can choose a time limit or scothere limit to rotate floaters into the game – for example, first team to 8 goals wins.
Teams are reduced to 2v2 in the same size playing area. Players will now have more space to play, possibly reducing the challenge point. Also, this adaptation will likely allow for additional rest for players between playing bouts.
Teams are increased to 4v4 in the same size playing area. Players will now have less space to play. In possession, this adaptation will likely encourage close combination play between teammates.
In this example, the goals have been removed. In this game, teams score by now receiving the ball in the marked end zones. This adaptation will likely encourage forward runs off of the ball.  
This example is a combination of the adaptations from the other two examples. One goal has been removed, now the teams can score in the remaining goal or by receiving in the end zone.

Objectives

This practice is designed to provide players with opportunities to practice 3v3 scenarios. The team in possession (yellows) are trying to score in one of the two goals ahead of them. The defending team (blues) are trying to steal possession and score in one of the two goals ahead of them.

Organisation

Set up a small sided game divided into halves with two goals. Teams are made up of six players each, 3 are active and 3 are waiting on the side. Two additional players (red) play with the team in possession. If the attacking team score, the three attacking players stay in the game and the three defending players switch out with the waiting players in their team. Alternatively, if the ball goes out of play, then all six players switch with the players waiting on the side. Play for a set score (e.g. first to 8 goals) and switch the floaters (reds) after every game.

Observations & Interventions

What you might see

  • Slow switching of players going in / out of the game
  • Reds slow to get the next ball in play between rounds
  • Attacking players quickly shooting from deep

Actions you might take

  • Encourage quick switch overs
  • Have plenty of balls positioned behind the red players
  • Encourage defending teams to sprint to press the ball

Adaptations:

Is the session too easy?

  • Decrease the size of the area
  • Reorganise the teams to increase the challenge point for players finding the session too easy

Is the session too hard?

  • Increase the size of the area
  • Reorganise the teams to decrease the challenge point for players finding the session too easy

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Dan Cooke
Dan Cooke Dan is highly experienced in strength and conditioning and an A licensed qualified coach. Dan has worked in professional academy and senior football, and he is currently an athlete development PhD candidate at the Sport Performance Research Institute in New Zealand.
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