Brazilians learn the game by playing the game. In many countries training sessions are focused around drills and exercises that isolate techniques and tactics. Brazilian coaches spend most of their time creating playing environments with small-sided games that put an emphasis on the specific areas of the game but also train the player ‘globally’.
One of the most important tactics of the game is how your team will handle transitional situations. Small-sided games provide a great way to train your team to take advantage of them.
These games are from Brazilian Training Games. Incorporating these games into your training sessions will help you breakdown the game into realistic situations while focusing your players on competing and adding an element of fun to the practice that will increase their motivation to train and learn.
GAME 1 – Attack v Defense with 4 Goals
Organization: 2 teams – 6v6 to 10v10
Description: Classical Brazilian attack v defense game with 4 goals in the midfield. In all the attack v defense games, if the defenders score in the small goals or target they become strikers.
Coaching Points:
- Link midfield – forwards and defenders - midfielders
- Speed of the game with and without the ball
- Change of direction
Variation: 2 touches for the offensive players and 3 for the defensive players
Equipment: 4 small goals, discs.
GAME 2 – Attack v Defense – Minimum Touches on the Ball
Organization: 2 teams – 6v6 to 10v10
Description: Similar to Game 1, in this case the offensive team plays 1 or 2 touch on the ball, if they take 2 touches, the second must be forward. Defenders get 2 or 3 touches; the 3rd touch must be forward.
Coaching Points:
- Fast link between the midfielders – forwards
- Speed of the game with and without the ball
- Build up from the back
Rule: The player can stay for 5 seconds in the channel.
Equipment: 3 small goals, discs
GAME 3 – Attack v Defense – Outside Channels
Organization: 2 teams – 6v6 to 10v10
Description: Similar to the game 1, with 2 free outside channels
Coaching Points:
- Link midfield – forwards and defenders - midfielders
- Speed of the game with and without the ball
- Outside plays
Variation: 2 touch restriction (both defensive and offensive)
Rule: The players can only stay in the channel for 5 seconds
Equipment: 3 small goals, discs
GAME 4 – Attack v Defense – Shooting Bonus
Organization: 2 teams – 6v6 to 10v10
Description: Similar to the game 1, in this game every time that the offensive team finishes a ball on the goal or out, the coach crosses an extra ball into the box.
Coaching Points:
- Faster link from midfield to the offensive sector
- Shooting/finishing
- Defensive adjustment
Equipment: 3 small goals, discs.
