8 vs 8 + Goalkeeper on Four Goals

Play takes place on one half of the field. On the midfield line and on the goal line, two goals each are set up with equal spacing. Each goal has a goalkeeper. The midfield line is marked with cones. Two teams (blue and yellow) of 8 players each are formed to play against each other. The offside rule applies.

The team in possession plays in a 2-4-2 formation; the defending team plays with two back fours in a 4-4-0 formation. Both teams must defend their two goals and launch attacks on the opponent's goals. The key is the transition from attack to defence and vice versa. When in possession, teams must try to create space through clever vertical and horizontal passing and finish on one of the two opposing goals. To do this, the wide players must push out to the sideline to create space in the centre and make themselves available. It is important that when play gets stuck on one side, diagonal lofted balls are used to switch play. The forwards are staggered in depth. The ball-near forward comes to meet the ball, the second forward offers himself in depth. The two centre backs are clearly positioned behind the rest of the team, keeping the play in front of them, providing cover, and remaining available as passing options when their teammates' forward passing lanes are blocked. The two half-central midfielders are also staggered. One alternately takes the more defensive role, the other the more offensive one. In general, the attacking team should try through their passing to push the opposing team away from their goals and, if possible, force them to defend one goal with their entire team unit, thus neglecting the second. In this case, the hard, into-the-run diagonal switch of play to the wide player must follow, who can then start a speed dribble toward the open goal. In the defending position, the team drops into a two-line 4-4-0 formation. The two lines stay compact. When the ball-nearest player leaves the line system to press the ball carrier, the two neighboring players tuck in behind to block passing lanes into depth. After winning the ball, quick transition and realignment of the team's shape in depth and width follows.