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Decision MakingMovement Off the BallPassing & Combination PlayIntermediateAdvancedScrimmage Activity
Small-Sided Scrimmage to Mini Goals
15-20 min Solo, Partner, Group Soccer balls, 2 mini goals or 4 goal cones, boundary markers, colored bibs
Listen to your Coach
Coach Carter
A short spoken walk-through of this drill.
Goal
Create clear shooting chances by choosing when to pass, dribble, or shoot. Look for players scanning before receiving and moving to offer useful passing options.
Setup
Mark a grid roughly 25 × 18 m for 3v3, 35 × 25 m for 5v5, or 50 × 35 m for 7v7. Center one mini goal or 2 m cone goal on each end line; secure mini goals before play. Split players into two teams in bibs, with spare balls and waiting teams outside the grid.
Drill Instructions
1. Play toward opposite goals with no goalkeepers; score with a shot below knee height through the goal. 2. Restart with a pass-in from where the ball leaves the grid; after a goal, the conceding team restarts from its end line with opponents in their own half. 3. Play 3-4 minute rounds, rotating extra teams after each round and giving one brief coaching cue.
Coach Tip
Look before the ball arrives: where is the pressure, and where is the space?
Avoid
Avoid crowding around the ball; spread out to give the ball carrier options.
Adjust on the fly
Make it easier
Widen the grid by 5 m to give players more time and clearer passing lanes.
Make it harder
Limit players to three touches so they must scan earlier and support the ball faster.
Ready to train?
Add this drill to your Active Drills to start tracking time and progress.
AI Coach feedback
Upload or record a clip of yourself on this drill and your AI coach will spot what's working and what to fix next.
Setup
Mark a grid roughly 25 × 18 m for 3v3, 35 × 25 m for 5v5, or 50 × 35 m for 7v7. Center one mini goal or 2 m cone goal on each end line; secure mini goals before play. Split players into two teams in bibs, with spare balls and waiting teams outside the grid.
Drill Instructions
1. Play toward opposite goals with no goalkeepers; score with a shot below knee height through the goal. 2. Restart with a pass-in from where the ball leaves the grid; after a goal, the conceding team restarts from its end line with opponents in their own half. 3. Play 3-4 minute rounds, rotating extra teams after each round and giving one brief coaching cue.
Goal
Create clear shooting chances by choosing when to pass, dribble, or shoot. Look for players scanning before receiving and moving to offer useful passing options.
Coach Tip
Look before the ball arrives: where is the pressure, and where is the space?
Avoid
Avoid crowding around the ball; spread out to give the ball carrier options.
Adjust on the fly
Make it easier
Widen the grid by 5 m to give players more time and clearer passing lanes.
Make it harder
Limit players to three touches so they must scan earlier and support the ball faster.
Watch the Drill
Video coming soon.
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Listen to your Coach
Coach Carter
A short spoken walk-through of this drill.
Ready to train?
Add this drill to your Active Drills to start tracking time and progress.
AI Coach feedback
Upload or record a clip of yourself on this drill and your AI coach will spot what's working and what to fix next.