Small-Sided Soccer Game
4v4 Four Goal Game
A 4v4 game with no keepers and two small goals at each end. When one goal is crowded, switch the ball to the open goal.
Step 1 of 8
4v4, no keepers. Each team attacks 2 small goals and defends 2. Blue has the ball.
- Time
- 16 min
- Players
- 6–8
- Ages
- 6–16U7–U17
- Pace
- Intense
Works on
- Passing
- Ball control
- Defending
Set up
- Mark a field about 30 yards long and 25 yards wide.
- Put 2 small goals on each end line, near the corners. Use pop-up goals or cone gates 2-3 yards wide.
- Two teams of 4. One team wears pinnies. No keepers.
- With extra kids, rotate a team of subs in after every game, or run two fields side by side.
- Space
- 30 yards long x 25 yards wide
- You need
- 4 small pop-up goals or 8 cones · 4 cones for the corners · Pinnies · 3-4 balls
How to play
- Each team attacks the 2 goals on the far end line and defends the 2 goals on its own end line.
- Score by passing or dribbling the ball through either goal.
- After a goal, the team that was scored on restarts from its own end line.
- If the ball goes out, the other team passes or dribbles it back in from the line.
- Play games of 3-4 minutes with a short rest between them. Swap players around to keep it even.
- Coach can call out Switch! when one goal is crowded and the other is open.
Coaching points
- Look up before you get the ball: which goal is open?
- When one goal is crowded, move the ball quickly to the other side.
- Spread out wide so the other team has to guard both goals.
- On defense, get back fast and stay between the ball and your goals.
Easier
Play 3v3, or make the goals a little wider so it is easier to score.
Harder
Make the goals smaller, allow only 3 touches each, or say a goal only counts after 3 passes.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put 4v4 Four Goal Game in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.