Horst Wein's Funino: 3v3 to four goals
Horst Wein's small-sided game that inspired the DFB and FIFA 3v3 formats: 3v3 without keepers on 25x25 yards, each team defending two 3-yard goals set apart on its end line and attacking the two opposite ones. Players learn to look up and switch the point of attack.
El 1 juega al 3 en el centro; dos defensores cierran la portería izquierda.
Objective
Develop game intelligence: recognise the least defended goal, create 2v1s, switch the point of attack and dare to take on defenders, with a huge number of ball contacts.
Organisation
25x25 yard square with four 3-yard goals (mini goals or cone gates), two on each end line, set apart and away from the corners. A 6 m shooting zone in front of each end line marked with discs. Two teams of three in bibs; red attacks the goals on the blue end and vice versa. No keepers. Balls on the sidelines; a third team rests and plays the next game, or a fourth player joins each team after every goal.
Development
- 1Kick-off with a pass from the team's own end line.
- 2Continuous 3v3: a goal only counts if scored from inside the shooting zone (the last 6 m before the end line), so players must arrive with the ball under control instead of shooting from distance.
- 3After a goal the conceding team restarts from its end line; the scoring team may keep the ball if the coach wants to reward attacking (“you score, you keep the ball”).
- 4When a team loses the ball it must sprint back to cover both goals; when it wins it, look first at the goal furthest from the defender.
- 5Games of 4-5 minutes with team rotation (winner stays on).
- 6Rounds with constraints: goals only by dribbling through the gate; goals only by passing through the gate; double goal after switching the point of attack.
Coaching points4
- Head up on receiving: which goal is less defended?
- If a defender covers one goal, attack the other: quick switch of play with a pass or a dribble.
- Create the 2v1 by committing the defender and deciding late between dribble and pass.
- In defence, split up: one presses the ball, the other two cover a goal each.
Common mistakes3
- All three chasing the ball and leaving a goal empty.
- Always attacking the nearest goal even when it is covered.
- Long shots that do not count and give the ball away.
Variations3
- Goals only by dribbling through the gate (more 1v1).
- Goals only by passing through the gate (narrower gates).
- 4v4 with the same format for bigger groups.
Progressions2
- Attacking joker who plays with the team in possession (4v3).
- Two-touch limit in the middle zone to speed up the switch of play.
Regressions2
- Smaller field and wider goals.
- No shooting zone: score from anywhere.
Tips
- Let them play: the learning comes from the decisions; correct with questions in the breaks.
- Rotate teams so everyone plays everyone and nobody waits more than one game.