Small-sided games Shooting

Small Sided Game with Goalkeepers (5v5)

A small sided game with goalkeepers and full-size goals is the closest thing to a real match you can fit into a practice. Two teams of five plus a keeper each play on a short pitch, so there are plenty of shots, saves and transitions in every minute.

AgesU9 to adult
Players8 to 18
Space40 × 30 m
Time20 min
IntensityHigh

Animate it in DrawTactics

It brings together what the players worked on earlier: combining to get in behind, shooting with purpose, staying compact when the ball is lost. It also gives keepers real game situations. Use it to finish a session.

Setup

Mark a 40 × 30 m pitch with a full-size goal on each end line. Play 5 Reds and a keeper against 5 Blues and a keeper, 12 players in all. Normal rules apply; every restart after a goal or a ball over the end line comes from the keeper. Keep spare balls in each goal so play restarts quickly.

Equipment2 full-size goals, Cones to mark the pitch, Bibs, Supply of balls in each goal

How it works

A Red passes to a teammate, and the nearest Blue presses.
That Red moves the ball on quickly while another Red makes a run in behind toward the Blue goal.
The runner receives the pass in behind the Blue defense.
They shoot past the Blue keeper.

Diagram of the small sided game with goalkeepers (5v5) with every pass and run — Every step of the drill on one diagram.

Coaching points

Play the way you face when you can; turn when you have time
Shoot from distance when the keeper is off their line
Get compact as soon as the ball is lost
Keepers start attacks quickly with a throw or a pass to a free player
Follow every shot in for the rebound

Make it harder

Every outfield player must touch the ball before a goal counts
Two-touch limit
A goal from a first-time finish counts double

Make it easier

Add a neutral to give the attacking team an extra player
Make the pitch wider
Unlimited touches

Adapting it by age

U8–U10

Play 4v4 plus keepers on a 30 × 20 m pitch with smaller goals if you have them, so keepers can actually make saves. Rotate the keeper every few minutes.

U12–U14

Play the default 5v5 plus keepers on 40 × 30 m. Ask keepers to restart with a pass along the ground and add the everyone-touches rule for a spell.

U15 to adult

Go 7v7 plus keepers on 55 × 40 m with a two-touch limit in the middle third, and give keepers six seconds to start the next attack.

Common mistakes

Keepers boot every restart long and the game turns into a scramble. Ask for the restart to go to a player in their own half at least half the time.

Players dribble into traffic instead of shooting when they have a sight of goal. Praise every shot on target, even misses from good positions, and count shots as well as goals.

Nobody follows the shot in, so rebounds go unclaimed. Give a bonus goal for any rebound scored.

The same few players dominate the ball. Use the everyone-touches rule or set mixed teams so the ball moves around.

FAQ

How big should the pitch be for 5v5 with goalkeepers?
About 40 × 30 m works well. Make it longer to give the keepers more distance shots to face, or narrower to create more crowded play.

Should keepers rotate in a small sided game?
With young players, yes, so everyone tries it. Older teams with a dedicated keeper can leave them in goal and use the game as their match practice.

Make this drill your own

Open the small sided game with goalkeepers (5v5) in DrawTactics to change the numbers and the size of the area, move the players, and export your own animation or diagram for your team. Or add it to a free session plan and print it.

Animate it in DrawTactics