5v5

Objective:

To build up the numbers on a side from the 3 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 4.
To gain a further understanding about combined play in more complex circumstances.

Target:

Organization

Field size 30 x 40 yards.
Goal is 3-yards wide.
Can use goalkeepers (5-yard wide goal) or no goalkeepers (3-yard goal).
No goalkeeper, goals only count below knee height.
With goalkeeper, put in an 8-yard line from each endline for the handling zone and goals only count below head height.
When ball goes out of play, game is restarted by:
Sideline - throw-in (or pass-in).
Endline - goal kick or corner kick, depending on which player last touched ball.
After a goal, re-start with goal kick.
In practice with numbers of 15 or 16 make three teams and have 8-minute games. "Resting" team can play the Circle Game as they wait their turn.

Teaching

On goal kicks encourage two players to go fully wide, left and right, and one player to go forward centrally giving a diamond shape and one midfield player at the center of the diamond.
Encourage attacking teams to always have a rear-supporting player. This will be the goalkeeper if you have one. If no goalkeeper the rear-supporting player should change if the rear player sees an opportunity to go forward.
Look at the use of the width, support and team shape in fluid play.
Try to get players in the habit of immediately recovering back into good defensive positions as soon as they lose the ball.

Progressions