3v3 Four-Goal Game
3v3 with two mini goals at each end. With two goals to attack, players learn to look up, spot the undefended goal and switch the play.
- Age
- U7–U14
- Players
- 6–8
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Dribbling
- Tactical: Switching play, Decision making
- Physical: Endurance
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Running with the ball
- Tactical:ScanningWidthSwitching play
- Physical:Endurance
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Pass
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
3v3 is the smallest version of real football: every player attacks and defends, and everyone touches the ball constantly. Two goals at each end add a simple tactical idea — if the opponents protect one goal, attack the other. It's the ideal game to finish a youth session.
Objective
Recognise which goal is less protected and move the ball there quickly by passing or dribbling.
Organisation
- 25 × 20 m (20 × 15 m for U7–U8) with two mini goals at each end, 2–3 m from the corners.
- Teams of three; a fourth team can wait and rotate in.
- No goalkeepers.
How it works
- Normal game: each team attacks the two mini goals at one end.
- Kick-ins or dribble-ins when the ball goes out.
- Restart from the team's own end line after a goal.
- 3-minute games; the winner stays on if a fourth team is waiting.
Coaching points
- Head up: which goal is free?
- Spread out — one player on each side and one in the middle.
- If the opponents crowd one side, switch the ball to the other.
- Defend the goal nearest the ball first, but talk so a teammate covers the other.
Progressions
- A goal after a switch of play counts double.
- Two-touch limit for older groups.
Regressions
- Bigger goals (cone gates 3 m wide).
- Add a neutral who plays with the team in possession.
Variations
- 4v4 with the same set-up and a slightly bigger area.
Key principles
- Width.
- Attack the free goal.
- Everyone attacks, everyone defends.
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