Football drills

Free · No sign-up · With diagrams

The drills from the blog’s training sessions, with diagrams, on one page: filter by age group, objective, the number of players you have and the space, and open each one in the tactics board to adapt it to your session. Every three days, a new drill from the Coaching Notebooks books is added.

73 drills

Ball-side arrival takes the ball

New U10–U15 Defensive organisation

6–12 players · 22×25 m · 21 min · high intensity

1v2 that becomes 2v2 to mini-goals, where the backup goes to the ball or takes the spare player depending on their side; works on called switches.

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5v5 possession with acceleration lanes

New Open age–Veterans Possession and rondosInjury prevention and physicalSmall-sided games

8–12 players · 30×35 m · 18 min · high intensity

5v5 possession with side lanes entered only at a sprint, scoring by receiving out of the lane; works on runs in behind and timing the pass.

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Score and go in goal

New U8–U11 GoalkeepingSmall-sided games

8–10 players · 20×30 m · 23 min · high intensity

3v3 with keepers where the scorer runs to their own goal and swaps with the keeper; works on quick restarts and the set position.

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1v1 to 2v2 in a channel

U11–U18 Defensive organisationDribbling and 1v1

5–10 players · 20×30 m · 12 min · high intensity

Defenders serve to attackers and defend a 20×30 m channel in front of a goal with a goalkeeper, progressing from 1v1 to 2v2.

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Centre-back step-in game

U11–U15 Build-up playPassing and receiving

6–9 players · Half pitch · medium intensity

Goalkeeper, two centre-backs and a holding midfielder build out against two forwards on half a 9v9 pitch to reach targets 35 m out.

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Mobility and 5v2 rondo

U17–Open age Possession and rondosActivation and warm-up

7–21 players · groups of 7 · 12×12 m · 12 min · medium intensity

Five outside players keep the ball from two defenders in a 12×12 m grid, scoring when a pass splits the pair.

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Compensation game: 5v5 with goalkeepers

U17–Open age Small-sided gamesInjury prevention and physical

8–12 players · 30×40 m · 16 min · high intensity

Continuous 5v5 with goalkeepers on a 40×30 m pitch giving non-starters the high-intensity load they missed in the match.

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4v4 plus 4 for width and depth

U12–U13 Possession and rondosActivation and warm-up

12 players · 28×30 m · 10 min · medium intensity

Two teams of four keep the ball inside a 30×28 m area with four outside players on the sides helping the team in possession.

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Three-zone build-up game

U12–U13 Build-up playPassing and receiving

12 players · Half pitch · 20 min · medium intensity

Defenders build against a forward and look for a free midfielder between the lines, aiming to reach a target in the front zone.

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First pressing on a trigger

U12–U13 Transitions and pressingDefensive organisation

11 players · Half pitch · 18 min · high intensity

Five plus a goalkeeper build towards mini-goals on half a 9v9 pitch while five defenders press together when the ball goes wide.

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9v9 with conditions

U12–U13 Build-up playTransitions and pressing

16–18 players · 46×73 m · 27 min · high intensity

Full 9v9 match in two halves where receiving between the lines and pressing regains in the opponent's half earn bonuses.

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Busy bees

U7 Activation and warm-upDribbling and 1v1

8–12 players · 20×20 m · 6 min · medium intensity

Every child dribbles freely with a ball in a 20×20 m box while the coach calls a new challenge every 20–30 seconds.

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Tail tag with a ball

U7 Dribbling and 1v1Activation and warm-up

6–14 players · 20×25 m · 8 min · high intensity

Children dribble in a 25×20 m area with bib tails while two dribbling catchers try to pull them; nobody is eliminated.

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Gates game

U7 Dribbling and 1v1

4–12 players · 25×25 m · 8 min · medium intensity

Children dribble through as many 2 m disc gates as possible in 60 seconds inside a 25×25 m area, later avoiding gate guards.

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2v2 to four mini-goals

U7 Small-sided gamesDribbling and 1v1

4–12 players · groups of 4 · 15×20 m · 12 min · high intensity

Pairs play 2v2 on a 15×20 m pitch, each team attacking two mini-goals and defending two, with no goalkeepers.

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3v3 festival

U7 Small-sided gamesDribbling and 1v1

6–18 players · groups of 6 · 15×20 m · 20 min · high intensity

3v3 games without goalkeepers on 15×20 m pitches, with winners and losers moving pitch after each game so opponents change.

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Copy the leader

U8–U9 Activation and warm-upDribbling and 1v1

4–12 players · groups of 2 · 20×20 m · 10 min · medium intensity

Pairs with a ball each in a 20×20 m box: the leader dribbles and changes direction or speed while the follower copies from behind.

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1v1 channels

U8–U9 Dribbling and 1v1Defensive organisation

6–16 players · groups of 2 · 10×15 m · 15 min · high intensity

Pairs duel in parallel 10×15 m channels: the defender serves and closes down, the attacker scores by stopping the ball on the far line.

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1v1 to goal with finishing

U8–U9 FinishingDribbling and 1v1Transitions and pressing

4–7 players · 20×25 m · 16 min · high intensity

An attacker receives from the coach and attacks a goal with a goalkeeper while a chasing defender can counter into two mini-goals.

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5v5 with a dribble bonus

U8–U9 Small-sided gamesDribbling and 1v1

8–12 players · 27×37 m · 22 min · high intensity

5v5 (four outfield plus goalkeeper) on a 37×27 m pitch where goals involving a successful dribble count double.

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4v4 plus 3 possession

Open age Possession and rondosTransitions and pressingInjury prevention and physical

11 players · 26×30 m · 18 min · high intensity

Two teams of four keep the ball with three neutrals (one inside, two on the end lines) in a 30×26 m area at high intensity.

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Back six against six

Open age Defensive organisationTransitions and pressing

13–18 players · Half pitch · 23 min · high intensity

Goalkeeper, back four and two midfielders defend against six attackers from 40 m, then counter into two mini-goals after a regain.

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Finishing after a combination

Open age FinishingPassing and receiving

10–14 players · Quarter pitch · 12 min · medium intensity

Two groups combine with a striker at the edge of the final third: pass in, lay-off, through ball and a first-time or one-touch finish.

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9v9 on two-thirds of the pitch

Open age Transitions and pressingDefensive organisation

16–20 players · Full pitch · 18 min · high intensity

9v9 plus goalkeepers on two-thirds of the pitch at full width, with a goal scored soon after a regain counting double.

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Gate dribbling for everyone

U7–U10 Activation and warm-upDribbling and 1v1

8–30 players · 30×30 m · 8 min · medium intensity

Every child dribbles through as many gates as possible in a 30×30 m square with ten cone gates, starting on arrival.

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The station circuit

U7–U10 Dribbling and 1v1FinishingPassing and receiving

20–30 players · groups of 6 · Half pitch · 32 min · medium intensity

Groups of six rotate through four stations on half a pitch: 3v3 to mini-goals, 1v1 channels, dribble and shoot with the coach, passing gates.

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1v1 channels

U7–U10 Dribbling and 1v1Defensive organisation

6 players · groups of 2 · 8×15 m · 7 min · high intensity

Self-running station with three 15×8 m channels side by side, one pair per channel, attacker scoring by stopping the ball on the far line.

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Dribble and shoot

U7–U10 Dribbling and 1v1Finishing

4–6 players · Indoor or small area · 7 min · medium intensity

Coach station: players start 20 m out, dribble past a cone with a feint and shoot before a line 10 m from goal.

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Two 6v6 games side by side

U7–U10 Small-sided gamesDribbling and 1v1

20–24 players · groups of 12 · 25×35 m · 14 min · high intensity

Four teams of six play two simultaneous games on 35×25 m pitches, with the coach standing between them on the halfway line.

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Pass and follow square

U9–Open age Passing and receivingActivation and warm-up

8–12 players · 15×15 m · 5 min · low intensity

Players at the four corners of a 12–15 m square pass to the next cone and follow their pass, keeping the drill flowing.

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Rondo 5v2

U10–Open age Possession and rondosActivation and warm-up

7–21 players · groups of 7 · 12×12 m · 6 min · medium intensity

Five players around a grid keep the ball from two defenders inside, moving along the edge to create passing angles.

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1v1 in the wide channel

U11–U18 Defensive organisationDribbling and 1v1

5–7 players · 15×30 m · high intensity

Full-backs serve to wingers and defend a 15×30 m channel along the touchline, steering them down the line rather than inside.

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Game with wide free zones

U11–U18 FinishingSmall-sided games

16 players · 40×50 m · 15 min · high intensity

5v5 plus goalkeepers on a 50×40 m pitch with protected 6 m wide channels where wide players cross for runners.

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Distribution under pressure

U15 GoalkeepingBuild-up play

6–8 players · Quarter pitch · 15 min · medium intensity

Keeper and two centre-backs play out against two pressing forwards, aiming to pass or dribble through side gates 25 m from goal.

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Crosses and high balls

U18–Open age Goalkeeping

6 players · Quarter pitch · 15 min · medium intensity

Wingers cross from about 30 m out while two attackers attack the posts and the goalkeeper chooses to claim, punch or stay.

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7v7 game with a sweeper-keeper rule

U11 GoalkeepingSmall-sided games

14 players · Full pitch · 30 min · medium intensity

U11 7v7 game where the keeper steps to the edge of the area when the team has the ball and sweeps behind the defence if the opponent plays long.

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1v1 breakaways

U10–U13 GoalkeepingFinishing

4–10 players · Indoor or small area · 10 min · high intensity

Attackers dribble in from 22 m with six seconds to score while the goalkeeper advances and sets before the shot.

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Colour gate box

U10–U16 Passing and receiving

6 players · groups of 6 · 15×15 m · 10 min · medium intensity

Midfielder in a 15×15 m box receives from a server and turns through the colour gate called by the coach in one or two touches.

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Three-zone line-breaking game

U11–U16 Passing and receivingBuild-up play

8–9 players · 30×45 m · medium intensity

Three players beat a presser to find a midfielder marked in a middle zone, who turns and passes to targets on the end line.

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3v2 from the goalkeeper to an end zone

U10 Build-up playPassing and receiving

6 players · Quarter pitch · medium intensity

The goalkeeper and three players build out against two defenders and score by controlling the ball inside an end zone.

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Positional rondo 4+2 v 3

U16–U17 Possession and rondosBuild-up play

9–18 players · groups of 9 · 18×20 m · 11 min · medium intensity

Four side players and two central players keep the ball against three pressers in 20×18 m, scoring by switching sides through a central player.

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Build-up 7v5 to gates

U16–U17 Build-up playPassing and receiving

12 players · Half pitch · 23 min · high intensity

Goalkeeper, back four and two midfielders play out against five pressers and score through one of three gates about 35 m from goal.

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Coordinated high press

U16–U17 Transitions and pressingDefensive organisation

16–18 players · Full pitch · 23 min · high intensity

A team in a 4-4-2 presses a seven-player build-up on two-thirds of the pitch, jumping together when the ball reaches the full-back.

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Positional rondo 3v3+3

U15–Open age Possession and rondosTransitions and pressing

9–18 players · groups of 9 · 25×30 m · 18 min · medium intensity

Two teams of three plus three neutrals (one at each end, one central) in 30×25 m; losing the ball triggers a 5-second counter-press.

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4v4 with goalkeepers

U15–Open age Small-sided gamesFinishingInjury prevention and physical

10–20 players · 20×30 m · 20 min · high intensity

Short, intense 4v4 bouts with goalkeepers and portable goals, while waiting teams feed balls from the sides to keep play continuous.

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3v2 transition waves

U15–Open age Transitions and pressingFinishing

7–20 players · Half pitch · 14 min · high intensity

Three attackers face two defenders on half a pitch; the defenders then counter against a new single defender towards a mini-goal at halfway.

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9v9 on 70×50 m

U15–Open age Small-sided gamesTransitions and pressing

18–20 players · 50×70 m · 16 min · medium intensity

A 9v9 on 70×50 m (3-2-3 v 3-3-2) where a goal within 8 seconds of winning the ball counts double.

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2v2 pressure and cover

U11–U12 Defensive organisationTransitions and pressing

4–16 players · groups of 4 · 20×25 m · 12 min · medium intensity

Two defenders serve to two attackers in 20×25 m and protect two gates, with the nearest pressing and the partner covering behind.

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4v4 to four mini-goals

U9–Open age Small-sided gamesPassing and receiving

8 players · 25×30 m · high intensity

Two teams of four each attack two mini-goals and defend two on a 30×25 m pitch without goalkeepers, encouraging switches of play.

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3v3 end-zone game

U9–Open age Small-sided gamesPassing and receiving

6 players · 20×30 m · high intensity

A 3v3 on 30×20 m with 5 m end zones, where a team scores by receiving a pass in the zone after a timed run.

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3v1 rondos in four grids

U12–U14 Activation and warm-upPossession and rondosPassing and receiving

4–16 players · groups of 4 · 8×8 m · 15 min · medium intensity

Groups of four play 3v1 rondos in 8×8 m grids, progressing from free touches to two-touch and a competitive round.

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3v3+2 possession box

U12–U14 Possession and rondosPassing and receiving

8–16 players · groups of 8 · 15×20 m · 18 min · medium intensity

A 3v3 inside a 20×15 m box with two end neutrals; teams score by moving the ball from one neutral to the other.

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2v2 finishing between two goals

U12–U14 FinishingTransitions and pressing

6–16 players · 20×25 m · 18 min · high intensity

Pairs play 2v2 for up to 45 seconds between two goals with goalkeepers in 25×20 m, then the next pairs come on.

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7v7 with goalkeepers on 50×34 m

U12–U14 Small-sided gamesPassing and receiving

14–16 players · 34×50 m · 20 min · medium intensity

A 7v7 with goalkeepers along the 50 m length of a quarter pitch, with a double goal after a forward pass from the middle third.

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5v5 futsal-style in a 30×18 m hall

U12–U14 Small-sided games

10–16 players · 18×30 m · high intensity

A 5v5 with goalkeepers in a 30×18 m sports hall using a futsal ball, kick-ins and rolling substitutions.

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Receive, turn and shoot

U11–U18 Finishing

4–10 players · Quarter pitch · medium intensity

A striker checks towards one of two servers 25 m out, turns with the first touch and shoots with the second against a goalkeeper.

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Hold-up and lay-off

U12–U18 FinishingPassing and receiving

6–10 players · 20×20 m · 10 min · medium intensity

A striker with a defender behind holds up a pass from a server and lays it off for arriving midfielders to shoot in a 20×20 m area.

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Transition rondo

U14–U15 Transitions and pressingPossession and rondos

6–18 players · groups of 6 · 12×12 m · 8 min · medium intensity

Four keep the ball against two in a 12×12 m box; on a regain the two try to escape through a gate while the losers counter-press.

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5v5 plus 2 with a counter-press bonus

U14–U15 Transitions and pressingPossession and rondos

12 players · 35×36 m · 18 min · high intensity

Two teams of five plus two side neutrals in 35×36 m score by dribbling over the end line or 10 passes, with a bonus for 5-second regains.

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Partial 11v11: attack, lose, counter-press

U14–U15 Transitions and pressingDefensive organisation

15–18 players · Full pitch · 23 min · high intensity

Eight players, two of them centre-backs as rest defence, attack a back four, two midfielders and a goalkeeper, who counter through gates at halfway.

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8v8 transition game

U14–U15 Transitions and pressingSmall-sided games

18 players · Full pitch · 22 min · high intensity

An 8v8 plus goalkeepers between the penalty boxes at full width, rewarding fast goals after regains and 5-second counter-press wins.

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Passing through gates

U10–U11 Passing and receivingActivation and warm-up

6–14 players · groups of 2 · 25×25 m · 10 min · medium intensity

Pairs with one ball pass through 2 m gates scattered in a 25×25 m area, taking the first touch away towards the next gate.

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Receiving diamond

U10–U11 Passing and receiving

5–6 players · groups of 6 · 15×15 m · 12 min · low intensity

An unopposed passing pattern round a 15 m diamond where each receiver opens up and receives across the body before passing on.

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3v1 support rondo

U10–U11 Possession and rondosPassing and receiving

4–12 players · groups of 4 · 10×10 m · 14 min · medium intensity

Three attackers keep the ball from one defender in a 10×10 m box, always supporting on the sides next to the ball carrier.

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4v4+2 to end zones

U10–U11 Passing and receivingSmall-sided games

10 players · 30×36 m · 15 min · medium intensity

Two teams of four plus two neutrals on 30×36 m score by passing to a team-mate who runs into a 5 m end zone.

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7v7 with scoring rules

U10–U11 Passing and receivingSmall-sided games

14 players · 37×55 m · 20 min · medium intensity

A 7v7 on a 55×37 m pitch where a goal counts double after a one-two or a switch of play.

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The pattern of the day

U18 Build-up playPassing and receiving

7–21 players · groups of 7 · Half pitch · low intensity

Unopposed rehearsal on half a pitch of a build-up pattern: centre-back, full-back, 8 in the half-space, 6, then the far winger.

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Positional game 7v7 plus 3

U18 Possession and rondosBuild-up play

17 players · 44×50 m · 26 min · medium intensity

Two teams of seven plus three neutrals in 50×44 m split into five lanes, scoring by receiving in a half-space and playing forward.

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Phase of play: overload to isolate

U18 Build-up playTransitions and pressing

19 players · Half pitch · 28 min · high intensity

Ten attackers progress from halfway against a mid-block of eight and a goalkeeper, overloading one side then switching to isolate the far winger.

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Passing diamond with movement

Veterans Passing and receiving

4–20 players · groups of 5 · 20×20 m · 12 min · medium intensity

Groups of four or five pass round a 20×20 m diamond and follow the ball, progressing to wall passes and a third-man pattern.

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4v4+2 possession box

Veterans Possession and rondosDefensive organisation

10–20 players · groups of 10 · 20×25 m · 14 min · high intensity

Two teams of four plus two end neutrals keep the ball in 25×20 m, scoring by 8 passes or an end-to-end pass between the neutrals.

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2v1 finishing waves

Veterans FinishingDribbling and 1v1

6–18 players · Quarter pitch · 12 min · medium intensity

Two attackers from 30 m take on a defender and a goalkeeper, with 8 seconds to finish before the next wave starts from the other side.

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7v7 with goalkeepers

Veterans Small-sided gamesPossession and rondos

14–18 players · 35×50 m · 16 min · medium intensity

A 7v7 with goalkeepers on 50×35 m, both teams in a 2-3-1, where a goal after playing through the middle third counts double.

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How to use the library

Pick the age group and the objective of the session and enter how many players you have: the list only shows the drills that fit, including those run in parallel groups. Each card shows the space, duration and intensity, and opens the full drill sheet.

From diagram to session

"Open in the tactics board" opens the diagram with the same players, cones, mini goals and zones, named after the drill. Change what you need and send the link to your coaches on WhatsApp, no account needed.

Frequently asked questions

Are the drills free?

Yes. The library, the tactics board and the blog sessions are free and need no sign-up.

Where do the drills come from?

From the training sessions on the DorsalCUP blog. Each drill sheet links to the section of the article where the drill is explained, with the context of the session.

Can I share a search or my favourites?

Yes. The filters are kept in the page address and favourites are shared with a link: whoever opens it sees the same drills, no account needed.