Exercises › Game exercise

3v3 team ladder: winning teams move up

• 15 min
• 12–30 players
• 3v3
• 5v5
• 7v7
• 9v9
• 11v11
• Build-up play
• Pressing & Regaining possession

Courts about 20 x 15 m in a row, court 1 at the top. Each court has two small goals and one ball. Teams of three play each other on each court for 3 minutes or first to three goals. The winning team moves one court up towards court 1, the losing team one court down. On the top court the winners stay, on the bottom court the losers stay. Randomise the starting places: every player draws a slip or a cone with a court number, so nobody is picked. With an odd number, keep a rest court at the bottom where one player waits and is swapped in. On a draw both stay put, or play 20 seconds of extra time. The teams are drawn at random at the start, and you can redraw them after half the rounds so everyone plays with new teammates. After a few rounds each team meets opposition of about the same level, and the games get more even. Progression: add a rule that brings out the focus of the week, for example a goal only after three passes or a bonus goal if the team wins the ball in the opponent’s half.

What the coach should look for

• Form a triangle around the ball carrier: short distances and always an option.
• Press together when you lose the ball.
• Talk: who presses, who covers, who is available?
• Swap teammates often so everyone plays with everyone.

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