4 v. 4 with 4: Fast/slow build up

please click here to read the article, game setup 1 and 2, game setup 5 and 6

3) Game Setup

The players are divided intro three teams of four. Teams A and B play 4 v. 4 in a 25 x 35-yard field on two goals with goalkeepers. The players on Team C position themselves evenly along the two sidelines as wall players.

Basic Sequence

Teams A and B play 4 v. 4 as above. Both may pass to the wall players as often as they want. If defenders win the ball in the opposition's half, they may counterattack immediately, but if they win it in their own half, they must first focus on protecting the ball: They must complete five passes in a row (this may include the wall players) before attacking. After a round, one of the teams on the field trades places with the extra team.

Variations 

• After a team wins the ball it must complete 10 passes in a row before it can attack (for advanced players).
• Another rule to emphasize protecting the ball before attacking: Within its own half, a team can use its two wall players, but once it enters the opposition's half, it has to play with one touch.
• The attacking team's goalkeeper must participate in the build up.

4 v. 4 with 4: Direct shot on goal following a back pass

4) Game Setup

The players are divided intro three teams of four. Teams A and B play 4 v. 4 in a 25 x 35-yard field on two goals with goalkeepers. The players on Team C position themselves on the two endlines, on both sides of the goal.

Basic Sequence

Teams A and B play 4 v. 4 as above. They have two ways to score. Since the focus in this exercise is on direct shots on goal following a back pass from one of the wall players, any goal scored that way is worth three points. The back pass must also be a direct pass. A goal scored any other way is only worth one point. A round may last up to four minutes. After an active rest period (easy run, simple shooting exercises, stretching), one of the teams on the field trades places with the extra team for the next round.

Variations

• A direct one touch shot on goal following a back pass from a wall players is the only way to score (for advanced players).
• As above, only direct shots on goal following a back passes are allowed, with an additional restriction: If the extra player receives the ball from the opposition's half before passing it back, then the goal that follows is worth one point. However, if the attackers can pass to him from their own half, they score two points.