3 vs Varying Numbers

Focus

Attacking Systems, Defensive Systems, Games & Races.

Skills

Preliminary Moves & Passing, Goalie Preliminary Moves, Shooting, Defensive Moves, Circle Defence, Vision & Quick Decisions.

Purpose

Players, particularly (GD & WA & WD & C) must be able to think their way out of defence. This simulates working past a team who are playing zone.

Players

9⁺

Ages

6⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 6

Setup
Choose 3 attackers who start on the baseline, and 6 defenders. Defenders are positioned as per the diagram and cannot leave the 1/3 they start in.
Step 1
The rule for this round is that each attacker must touch the ball in every third. Attackers must find space to present a passing option and deliver accurate passes.

Try to base attacks around the centre to open up the court
Step 2
In the back third, attackers face 3 defenders, so one-on-one marking will feature.

Defenders have the greatest chance of a turnover here, so really try to pin the attack down with tight defence
Step 3
If the attackers make it to centre court, they only face a 3 v 1 situation, as there is only 1 defender in this third

The defender starts in the centre circle and must stay there until the ball crosses into this third

Remember all attackers must touch the ball in every third
Step 4
The final third sees a 3 v 2 situation.

The 2 defenders must start in the goal circle and stay there until the ball crosses into this third
Step 5
You can end the contest in several ways:-

A shot on goal by one of the 3 players

Receiving a pass on the baseline
Step 6
Progression 1: You can remove the restriction of requiring all 3 attackers touch the ball each third

This allows for more direct attack
Step 7
Progression 2: Once the ball crosses into the centre third, all 3 defenders ahead of the attackers (centre + goal thirds) become active and can patrol BOTH thirds

Different from previous where all defenders restricted to their third - now only first 3 defenders are

Starting positions are the same