U8–U10 · Technical · 8 min
3v1, Big Grid, Keep It
Get U8s touching the ball in the first eight minutes. One defender, three keepers of the ball, a grid big enough that success is normal.
Attack DefendSolid = passDashed = run
- Space
- 15×15 yard grid
- Equipment
- 4 cones · 1 ball · 1 pinnie
Organization
Three on the outside, one in the middle. Unlimited touches. If the defender wins it, they switch with the player who lost it. No knockouts, no extra rules. 8 minutes.
Whiteboard
Diagram notes
Big square. Three possession players on three sides. One defender in the middle. Ball on the south. Simple pass left, then north.
Coaching points
- Find a ball. Don’t hide behind a cone.
- Pass to a teammate who is facing you, not to a back.
- The defender is allowed to win it. That’s the game, not a punishment.
- Coach praises the pass, not the trick.
Phrases to use
- “Find a ball.”
- “Pass to a face, not a back.”
- “If you lose it, you’re in the middle. Next one.”
- “Good pass.”
Progressions
- Two-touch for the last two minutes.
- Smaller grid.
- 4v1 if you have five.
Regressions
- Bigger grid.
- Defender can only walk.
- Two balls if the group is timid.
Common mistakes
Kids bunch on the ball and nobody has an angle.
One on each side of the square. Show them the cone they should stand near.
The same child is in the middle for three minutes.
Rotate on a 30-second count if they can’t win it. Don’t let it become a pile-on.
Coach talks through every pass.
Two phrases. Then let them play. The game is the teacher.