5v5 2 halves 6 goals
Video
Description
The activity starts on a field with 3 cone goals on each end spaced roughly evenly. Ideally, the central cone goals are a different color than the outside goals. The field is divided in half. Teams are required to have a minimum of 2 players in their defensive end at all times. There is no offside rule enforced in the game. If the ball goes outside the grid or is played behind an end line, the opposing team restarts with the ball on the ground.
Scoring
Points are scored by dribbling through one of the cone goals – 2 points for the center goal and 1 point for the outside cone goals.
As shown, 2 points are scored when a player carries the ball through the blue gate, 1 point for the yellow gates
The point assignments are arbitrary – for example, 3 points may be awarded for dribbling through the central goal. However, the context of the game is that the point assignment is higher for the central goal versus the outside goals.
Progressions/Adjustments
- Limit the touch count of the player on the ball – for example, a maximum of 3 touches. This progression will encourage a quicker movement of the ball, awareness of time/space before receiving the ball, and a more purposeful first touch of the player on receiving the ball.
- Limit the number of passes allowed before a goal must be scored. This variation encourages more direct attacking movements and a sense of urgency in possession.
- Limit the number of passes over the half line. This variation allows the team in possession to recycle the ball (that is, play backward to switch point of attack) but, at some point, the team must work in the attacking space to score.
- Alter the number of players in the defensive zone—for example, require only 1 player in the defending zone.
- When a goal is scored, it is “locked,” and the next goal must be scored in one of the other two goals. The modification alters the flow of the game left or right (if one of the wide goals is locked) or away from the middle (if the central goal is locked). When both teams work against a locked goal, the game can result in one team’s objective moving to one side with the opponent pushing toward the opposite side.
A change to the game’s structure is the introduction of a player in the goalkeeper role. There are a couple of ways this could be accomplished.
- Instead of using goals, substitute mini-goals. In this scenario, a goalkeeper space in front of the mini-goals (for example, 5-10 yards) may only be entered by the goalkeeper; all shots must be outside this box. The goalkeeper is responsible for defending all of the mini-goals. The result is that the team in possession should try to attack the goal that is not being defended by the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper should constantly try to read the opponent and reposition themselves in front of the goal most likely to be attacked in any given moment.
Only the goalkeeper may enter the shaded area
- Use the cone goals but assign the goalkeeper to the space behind them. In this variation, the attackers are still trying to dribble through the cone goals, but the goalkeeper is constantly trying to adjust themselves to be inside the goal. An attacker may not dribble through a cone goal occupied by a goalkeeper. Teams may use their goalkeeper as a field player to recycle the ball (pass back and switch point of attack).
The goalkeeper slides side-to-side, “locking” whichever goal they are behind
What we like about this activity
Using three goals and the scoring advantage of the central goal provides a collection of problems to solve. For example, if the score is 4-2 and 3 points are awarded for a central goal, the team behind can win the game with one successful attack through the middle. Likewise, a team may choose to accumulate 1-point goals to increase their total. The defending team has to prevent the opponent from getting behind them in any channel (left, center, or right). In the variations with a goalkeeper, we add an additional environmental challenge for the attacking team (recognizing the goalkeeper’s position) and integrate the goalkeeper into the field players’ activity.
Relationship to the game
The activity is designed to develop tactical and technical abilities, progressing the ball through the thirds in possession. In the variations with cone goals, the player must have the ball on their foot when moving through the cone goals to score points.
The use of weighted scoring (the central goal awarding more points versus the outside goals) mimics a game tactic of prioritizing a direct attack through the central channel, resulting in more options in the middle/final third and potentially a shot on goal. In the full-size game, attacks in wide channels have value but require a transition toward the center of the field to create a dangerous scoring opportunity.
Passer has two options – “higher value” option 1 has more risk, “lower value” option 2 more likely to get behind defensive line
Fullback pushes forward on overlap – highlighted midfielder slides back to cover
Coaching points
Overview
The goals logically divide the field into 3 channels – including the half line, this results in 6 zones
Our coaching points for both attackers and defenders revolve around these 6 zones in the field—the positioning of players, the transition of the ball between zones, movements, and the decision-making on when to press forward (attackers) or delay (defenders) within a zone.
Attacking team
Pass into striker draws defenders, leaves highlighted winger open for a through ball
Encourage the deeper (defensive half) players to relieve pressure on the ball and transition it between sides of the field.
Ball played back to defender by under pressure striker
Ideally, many of the “final” encounters before dribbling through the cone goals will either be 1v1s or free players who must accelerate to beat a recovering defender. The player on the ball should be quick (decision-making, speed), utilize feints and misdirections on the ball, and use quick 1-2 combinations to get behind the defenders.
Although the rules require a specific number of players in the defensive half, the use of rotations (a defending half player pushing into the attacking half whilst a teammate rotates back to maintain numbers) provides an opportunity to find a free player in a different part of the field who can create a goal scoring opportunity.
Defending team
The team out of possession is challenged to defend all three channels in the field. A key principle in this activity is to delay and isolate the ball to control the player on the ball. This is particularly true when the defender is down in numbers versus the attackers (for example, when there is 1 defender and 2 attackers in a channel of the field). Defensive techniques and stance, footwork, and the execution of recovery runs are all essential elements of success while defending.
When the ball is recovered (the transition from defending to attacking), the objective is to get numbers forward as quickly as possible, knowing that the opponents have at least 2 players in the defending half. Ideally, the counterattacking team can quickly get behind the opponents (who have committed to scoring a goal but have lost the ball) before they can recover.
Encourage 3rd player runs on transitions to get behind defenders
Adjust for numbers
If there is an odd number, the coach may elect to assign the additional player as an offensive neutral (for example, 5v5+1) or simply imbalance the teams (for example, 6v5). With a neutral, using a touch limit (for example, the neutral is limited to a maximum of 3 touches) can provide an adequate challenge to avoid simply sitting on the ball.
Players often object to imbalanced teams – it is important to remind them that in the “real game,” it is unusual to have exactly the same number of players in any situation.
Summary
The 5v5 2 halves 6 goals games create an environment that prioritizes environmental awareness, tactical decision-making, and speed of thought and play. With 3 target goals for each team, including the use of a central goal with added value, the activity mimics the scenario in which a team is trying to progress forward through the thirds in possession and on the ground. In the defensive role, the team must prevent opponents from penetrating their line across the field. Delaying tactics and recovery runs are a necessary part of the defending strategy. Modifications and progressions – the addition of goalkeepers and/or mini-goals and other restrictions – provide additional challenges for the players once they achieve a basic level of success in the activity.