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Football Concepts and Strategies Teammates Activity: Two vs. Two Designate a 20-yard-by-10-yard field with 4-yard-by-2-yard goals at each end. Form four teams of two. Two teams stand behind each goal. Coach stands at the halfway line with several soccer balls. Teams come out to play two vs. two. If the ball goes out of play, leave it and receive another from the coach. If the defending player gains possession of the ball, the player must pass the ball to a teammate before trying to score. For lower ability players, allow each team to dribble and pass from one goal to the other without any opposition. Introduce opponents later.   Key Questions to Ask Your Players Who is your teammate? Who do you pass to? Do you tackle your teammate? (No)   Attack/Defend Activity: One vs. One Designate a 15-yard-by-10-yard area with 4-yard-by-2-yard goals at each end. Form two teams of three, wearing different colored scrimmage vests, and number the players 1-2-3 (no goalkeepers). Coach stands at the halfway line with several soccer balls. When a player's number is called, the player comes out and plays for 30-45 seconds against opponent with the same number. Other players wait behind the goal, help collect balls and return them to the coach. If the ball goes out, the coach will immediately roll in another ball.   Key Questions to Ask Your Players Which goal are you scoring in? Which goal are you defending? What color shirt is your team wearing? What color shirt is the other team wearing? What do you do when you have the ball? (Attack) What do you do when the opponent has the ball? (Defend)     Activity: Three vs. Three Designate a 25-yard-by-15-yard field with 4-yard-by-2-yard goals. Form two teams of three without goalkeepers. You can also play this as four vs. four with a goalkeeper. Designate positions: right wing/left wing/center. Play a regular three vs. three game. Use kick-ins for a ball over the sidelines. Coach how to play in each part of the field. Focus on the wing players. Occasionally call freeze. Players must stop and check their positions. Award points for good positional play.   Key Questions to Ask Your Players What position are you playing? Where are the wings? We don't crowd, we ________? (Spread Out) Great football players play as a ________? (Team)

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