3v2 Soccer Drill

3v2 Attack, Attack, Attack!

In this exciting and competitive overload game, players get multiple attacks on goal and try to score as many goals as possible.

3v2 Attack – Overload Game

Set Up The Drill

Set up a 50×40 yard grid using small cones. Place a full-size goal at each end of the grid. If you don’t have full-size goals, use tall cones, flags, or whatever you have available. Have a supply of balls available at the halfway line to help facilitate quick restarts. You’ll also need three sets of different colored bibs.

Split the players into three teams of 3 and put them in separate colored bibs. For the purpose of this activity description, the teams will be red, yellow, and blue. The blue team starts as the attacking team with a ball on the halfway line. The red and yellow team set up to defend one goal each with one goalkeeper and two defenders. 

Instructions

The blue team have ten attacks total to score as many goals as possible (five attacks against the red team and five attacks against the yellow team). Each goal is worth 3 points. An attack is over when one of the following three things happen:

  • The ball is kicked out of play.
  • A goal is scored by the attacking team.
  • The defending team makes a successful pass across the halfway line to the team defending the opposite goal.*

*When a defending team ends an attack by making a pass across the halfway line to the other defending team, both defending teams get a bonus point. 

After the blue team has ten attacks, switch roles, so the yellow team and then the red team have ten attacks each. Whichever team gets the most points overall at the end wins!

TIP: With 12 players, you play the same game, with each attack being a 4v3 overload. For older players, you might even consider using 15 players and having each attack be a 5v4.

Progression

Play the game continuously for a set period of time (e.g., 10 minutes). The blue team starts by having one attack. If they score, they get to go again and attack the opposite goal. If they fail to score, they switch places with the team they were attacking, with that team now taking the next attack.

Coaching Points

  • Encourage the attackers to spread out in possession.
  • Good decision-making from the player on the ball on when to pass, dribble or shoot.
  • Players should look to combine quickly and make proactive runs behind the defense.
  • Utilization of different shooting techniques from different angles to try and beat the goalkeeper.