This is part one in a four-part series that outlines the uses of small-sided games in training. Part 1 will focus on attacking and defending in 2v2 and 3v3 situations. Part 2 will deal with 4v4 training games, Part 3 with 6v6 games, and the series will wrap up with training suggestions for 8v8 games.

Attacking

2v2v2 Possession Three teams of 2. One team of two is defending for a period of time. The other two teams combine and work together to try and complete a certain number of passes. If defending team wins the ball, the keep it.

2v2 to 2 targets Two teams of four. Each team has two players in the inside of the playing area and a player on each end as a target. The objective is to get the ball from one target to the next without losing possession. The two teams play in two different directions. One team plays north-south, the other east-west.

3v2 in groups of 3 Each team attacks with 3 and defends with two. Whenever a team loses possession, one player must run back and play goalkeeper.

3v3 Finishing Two groups. Each group of 3 has one player at midfield and two next to each post by the goal. The team that gets a shot on goal gets rewarded by staying on the field. The first pass must be made by a player next to the post to their teammate at midfield.

Defending

2v2 battles Some pairs have a ball, some do not. If they have a ball, they should try and keep it. If not, they need to work with their partner and try and win one back.

2v2 to lines  Three teams of two. Each team has a pair that plays inside the playing area and then two other pairs are on each end. Two pairs in middle play 2v2 against each other. If they dribble ball to the line, then the team that gets scored on, steps off and a pair from the team that got scored on brings on a ball and attacks. So the team that successfully attacked a line, must know transition into defending.

3v3 to 3 goals  Two teams of three. Each team has 3 goals to attack and 3 goals to defend. This activity works on pressure, cover and balance.