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3-Zone Game: Strikers against Defenders (+ neutral players)
25 min
Soccer Exercise

3-Zone Game: Strikers against Defenders (+ neutral players)

  • Age U14 - U19, Men's / Women's
  • Training Set Main point
  • Number of Players 10-15 players, 16-22+ players

Setup

  • Use cones to set up the field
  • 2 big goals
  • Split the field into 3 zones (see graphic)

Procedure

Divide the players into two teams and choose 1-4 neutral players, depending on the size of the squad.

In both zones in front of the goals, two strikers will play against two defenders.

The remaining and neutral players will play in the middle zone.

The players in the middle zone should play the ball into one of their two strikers, so that they can then score a goal for their team.

The goalkeeper has to start the game by passing to one of his two defenders, so that they will have to build up their attack from the back.

Only the two defenders can play a pass into their teammates from the middle zone.

Variations:

  • The player that passed the ball to the striker can join the attack (3v2)
  • Alternatively, another player can join the attack instead of the player that played the pass

Tip

Coaching Points:

• Use the additional player in the final third (3v2) for quick combinations

• Players in the middle zone should especially block passing lanes to the striker and spaces in behind (final third/ final zone)

• Defenders in the final zone man-mark the strikers and immediately apply pressure

Training attributes

Tactics

Tactics
Team behavior Opening the field Player behavior Games plays Transition drill Man down/Man up

Training Organization

Age
U14 - U19 Men's / Women's
Duration
25 min
Training Set
Main point
Number of Players
10-15 players 16-22+ players
Goalkeeper
2 goalies
Form of Training
Team training
Exercise level
Intermediate Difficult
Training Location
Pitch