Small-sided Game: 4 v 4 - Dribbling and target in the mini squares
Goal
Equipment
- 16 markers of different colors
- 4 cones
- Balls
- 4 vests
Preparation
- Playing area: 16x16 meters / 17x17 yards
- Players: 8
- Duration: 16 minutes
- Series: 2 of 6 minutes each with 2 minutes of passive recovery in between
| Summary | Secondary Objectives |
|---|---|
|
Train dribbling and passing with a fun and stimulating exercise for younger players |
Creating space, Mark, Passing, Running with the ball, Intercepting, Tackling, Mobility, Pass, Dribbling, Dribbling with feints, Dribbling to prevent the opponent, Feints and tricks, Losing your marker, Marking, Intercepting, Tackling, Mobility |
Organization
Create, using four cones, a playing area of 16x16 meters / 17x17 yards. In the center of each side form, with markers, a mini square with a side of 2 meters/yards. Two mini squares have blue markers and two have red markers (as in the picture). Inside the square divide the players into two teams of four members (in the picture four red and four white).
Description
- The exercise begins when the coach throws the ball inside the playing area
- The team that wins the ball first begins a ball possession, at a fast pace, against the opposing team: a 4 v 4 develops
- Each team defends two mini squares corresponding to their jersey color (e.g., in the picture, the red team defends the two mini squares formed by the red markers)
- The main objective of the exercise for both teams is to be able to get the ball inside one of the two opposing mini squares after dribbling past a member of the other team (example shown in the picture)
Rules
- The team that gets a point always restarts in possession of the ball
- If the ball goes out of the square of play, the coach throws another ball back in to restart the exercise immediately
- At the end of the two series, the team that scores the most points wins
Variations
- Add a joker to create situations of numerical superiority in favor of the team in possession of the ball
- Insert a bonus element: the coach identifies a player who, if they score one point in the set time, their team earns three points. At the coach's signal, return to play with the basic rules
- Change the playing area based on the age and on players' skills
Coaching Points
- Incite players to look for ever-changing varieties of dribbling
- Explain the importance of ball possession at high pace and encourage players to always be on the move to clear passing lines
- Useful exercise to increase aerobic endurance during the game
