Fun Small-Sided Soccer Games For Youth Soccer
There are many great benefits of playing small-sided soccer games at practice. Due to the fact that there are only a few players on each team, small-sided games allow players to get more touches of the ball which gives them more opportunity to develop their individual skills and their skills of working as a team. Small-sided games also guarantee more participation which makes for a more fun and enjoyable experience for the players.
Below, you’ll find many fun small-sided soccer games that you can play while coaching youth soccer. All these games are suitable for kids and teenagers, but can easily be adapted and used with older players. First, let’s take a look at what exactly small-sided games are.
What Are Small Sided Soccer Games?
Small-sided soccer games are practice games with few players on each team. They take place in a smaller area compared to a normal soccer game. The small space and few players enable coaches to focus on particular skills while giving all players ample opportunity to participate.
Fun Small Sided Soccer Games For Youth Soccer
Here are all our small-sided soccer drills that you can use in your coaching sessions. You can download a printable PDF of these drills and take them to practice, and as always, these are completely FREE.
You Pass, We Score | Passing Drill
In this thrilling small-sided game, one team works on passing and receiving under pressure while their opponents look to press as a unit and try to score. This passing drill is appropriate for players of all ages and levels. You…
Attitude To Shooting
In this fast-paced and frenetic small-sided game, players work on their first touch and developing a positive attitude to shooting and taking chances. Drill: Attitude To Shooting Set Up The Drill Set up a 30×20-yard grid with a goal at…
6v3 Transition Game
In this fast-paced & continuous 6v3 game, players work on quick transitions, passing and receiving, and combining to score! 6v3 Transition Game Set Up The Drill Set up a 30×20-yard grid using small cones and mark out a halfway line…
7v7+1 | Attacking In Wide Areas
This highly enjoyable conditioned game works on attacking in wide areas and maintaining possession of the ball in order to create chances. 7v7+1 | Attacking In Wide Areas Set Up The Drill Set up a 40×50-yard grid using small cones….
Transition Game To Goal: 4v4 +4
In this exciting and competitive small-sided game, players work on their speed of play, creating and scoring goals and making quick offensive and defensive transitions. 4v4 +4 Transition Drill Set Up The Drill Set up a 30 x 40-yard grid…
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….
3 Zone Switching The Play
In this small-sided game, players are rewarded additional points when they successfully switch the play before scoring a goal! Passing Drill – 3 Zone Switching The Play Set Up The Drill Set up a 40×50 yard field using small cones….
North South East West
In this fun and competitive passing drill, teams work in different directions within the same grid, scoring points by maintaining possession and playing it from one target player to another. Passing Drill – North South East West Set Up The…
Triangle Gate Game
This simple but competitive small-sided game is a great warm-up for any passing and possession session and can be enjoyed by players of all ages from 9 years and up. Triangle Gate Drill Set Up The Drill Mark off a 30…
3 Team Rotation To Goal
In this fast and exciting transition game, teams take turns attacking and defending a large goal. This activity has all the elements of a regular soccer game and can be used for players of all abilities aged 9-18. Related: Transition…
Team Transition And Possession | Small Sided Game
This small-sided game is great for use in training sessions focusing on possession, transitioning, and passing. Players will compete in two teams and must quickly transition from attacking to defending and vice versa throughout the drill. This activity can also…
Pep Guardiola’s Favorite Rondo | 4v4+3
This soccer drill is one of Pep Guardiola’s favorite rondo drills. It’s a great passing and possession game and one that players love!
2v2 plus 2 | 2v2 Soccer Drill
This Drill is a fun 2v2 soccer drill that can be used as a warm-up activity to practice combination play.
Battleships | Shooting Drill
Based on the all-time classic board game this shooting warm-up activity is always a hit with players as they fine-tune their shooting technique whilst destroying each other’s battleships!
Bermuda Triangle | Shooting Drill
This unique small-sided shooting game is competitive and provides plenty of shooting opportunities for your players whilst improving their decision-making skills, passing and receiving, and even switching the play.
Multi-Ball Shooting Drill
In this fast and exciting small-sided game, players get to choose which ball they use to re-enter the field, catch their opponents unaware, and score, score, score!
Goals Goals Goals | 4v4 Game
In this fun 4v4 shooting game players get the opportunity to pass and receive, switch the play, play in goal and most importantly of all; shoot! By increasing the number of goals available for players to shoot at the coach gives more repetition and more chances of success for all their players.
3 Team Possession
This passing drill is a highly competitive possession game in which players get to work on their passing and receiving skills, speed of play, decision making, team shape, and movement off the ball.
Goals Galore | Small Sided Game
In this exciting small-sided game, players get to practice their turning and shooting skills. They will also learn to spread out, keep their head up, and pass the ball to their open teammates whilst scoring goals galore!
The Four Goal Game | Small Sided Game
In this small-sided game drill, players will compete in small teams to score in one of four goals. Players will be encouraged to move into space and remain visible and open to support their teammates, and to focus on their team’s shape to create positive angles of support. This small-sided game is great for kids and teenagers, but can also be easily adapted for use with older players.