4v4

Objective:

To give each player many opportunities to kick the ball in a 4 vs. 4 game.
To gain a further understanding about combined play with the addition of another player (as compared to 3 vs. 3).

Target:

Organization

Field size 35 x 25 yards.
Goal is 3-yards wide.
No goalkeepers.
Goals only count below knee 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 16 or more have two fields (coaches can join in to make up the numbers, but are not allowed to score).
If less than 16, have three teams and a separate practice operating and rotate teams in and out of the 4 vs. 4 game.

Teaching

On goal kicks encourage two go fully wide, left and right, and one player to go forward centrally giving a diamond shape.
Encourage attacking teams to always have a rear-supporting player (and this player might and should change if they see an opportunity to go forward).
Think about the diamond 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

This is the teaching phase of the 4 vs. 4 game that will be used for free play in the end-of-session jamboree so is a stand-alone activity.
The playing of the game in the jamboree will greatly challenge and progress the players as the “game is the teacher.”
The most important progression is how the players make eye contact, communicate and adjust and position off one another.
Look at how they can be continually re-establishing the diamond shape in fluid play.