Rest Defence Small-Sided Game

Pitch: Play in one half of the pitch. Two rows of cones running lengthways towards the goal divide the area into three zones, that is a left, a middle and a right channel. A full-size goal stands on the goal line, the second goal stands on the halfway line.

Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls, 2 goals.

Players: Two teams; both goals are occupied by goalkeepers.

• A free game is played with two restrictions: a player may not leave their own zone with the ball, and the ball may not be played to a team-mate in the same zone.
• So if a player in the left zone has the ball, that player may neither dribble it into the centre nor play it to a player in the same zone. Dribbling within the left zone or playing to a player in the centre or in the right zone is allowed, however.
• Play is with offside.

Variations:

• A goal only counts if the team is occupying all zones of the pitch at the moment the goal is scored.
• If the defence is occupying all three zones when the opposition score, the goal counts double.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.