4v3: three defenders protect two goals
In 27x18 m, two full-size goals side by side at one end and four cones at the other: the coach serves four attackers who must solve a 4v3 while three defenders protect both goals at once.
El entrenador sirve al 2; los atacantes abandonan los conos y abren el campo. El defensor 4 descansa.
Objective
In defence: defend two separate targets while outnumbered, communicating to avoid leaving a goal open and delaying the shot. In attack: recognise when a switch of play creates the advantage and finish with a quick shot.
Organisation
27x18 m rectangle. Two full-size goals placed side by side at one end, no keepers. Four evenly spaced cones on the opposite end line, with an attacker on each. Two teams of four: the defending team numbers itself 1 to 4 and one player rests on each attack, so three defend. Coach with balls behind the cones.
Development
- 1The coach starts play with a pass to one of the four attackers on the cones.
- 2The attackers build up and try to score in either goal; the three defenders must protect both at the same time.
- 3If a goal is scored or the ball goes out, the attackers reset quickly to their cones and the coach serves a new ball immediately.
- 4After three balls the teams swap roles; in the defending team the resting player rotates every ball.
- 5The defenders share the job: the nearest presses the ball, the other two each cover one goal and shift with the ball so the far goal is never completely open.
- 6The team that scores most goals over several rounds wins.
Coaching points4
- Defence: talk before the ball moves: who presses, who covers each goal.
- Defence: delay the shot with your body, don't dive in; force the sideways pass and reset.
- Attack: move the ball quickly to shift the three defenders and shoot at the goal that opens.
- Attack: if the first plan fails, switch play instead of forcing it.
Common mistakes3
- All three defenders crowd the ball and leave one goal completely empty.
- Attackers dribbling towards the better-defended goal instead of switching the ball.
- Slow reset after a goal, breaking the rhythm of the exercise.
Variations3
- Add a keeper in each goal to demand more accurate shots.
- Limit the attackers to two touches to speed up circulation.
- Let the defenders score in a mini goal on the cone end line if they win the ball.
Progressions2
- Move to 4v4 with the fourth defender as a recovering player entering from behind a goal.
- Enlarge the pitch to 35x25 m and play 5v4.
Regressions2
- Attackers must switch play once before shooting, so the defenders can read the game.
- Reduce to 3v2 with the same goals.
Tips
- Place the goals 1-2 m apart: the central gap is the key to sharing the defensive job.
- Serve the ball to different attackers so the attack does not always start from the same side.