Indoor Training: Number Football

Pitch: Mark out the boundary of the playing area with 8 cones, 4 cones along each touchline. At each end there are 2 mini goals, so 4 in total, alternatively indoor goals, dribbling goals or benches.

Equipment: 8 cones, 4 mini goals, bibs in two colours, several balls with the coach at the side.

Players: Two teams, each lining up at one end between their mini goals and numbered consecutively, for example 1 to 4. The coach stands with the balls to the side of the playing area.

• The coach calls out a number and plays the ball into the centre of the playing area.
• The two players with that number run into the playing area, play out the 1 vs 1 and keep playing until the ball is out of play or in the goal.
• Whoever reaches the ball quicker has the right to attack to begin with.
• If the defender wins the ball, the defender may counter towards their own two mini goals.

Scoring: Every goal scores one point for the team score. Play as a team competition: which team gets to the ball quicker and scores the most goals?

Variations:

• Play as a handball game: the coach calls out a number and throws the ball in. Which team scores more goals by throwing?
• The coach calls out combinations of numbers, for example 1 and 4, which creates 2 vs 2 situations. Which pair scores quicker?
• Play on one goal only, with or without a goalkeeper.
• Replace the numbers with letters, colours or animal names.
• The coach sets arithmetic problems instead of calling out the numbers.
• The children who are not playing at that moment complete movement tasks with and without a ball at the side of the playing area.

Note: Drill idea by Max Schönijahn.