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Free activities · By number of playersSoccer drills for 7 players
18 free, with video
Seven means someone is always the extra player, so use that. A 5v2 rondo needs exactly seven, and in a game the seventh player becomes a neutral who plays for whoever has the ball.
How to split 7 players
- 5v2: Exactly seven. Five around the outside and two inside, working as a pair. 5v2 With a Link is the place to start.
- 3v3 plus a neutral: The neutral plays for the team with the ball, so every attack is 4v3. Change the neutral every few minutes so nobody gets stuck there.
- 4v3: Four attack and three defend, then swap after each goal. It is a good choice if one of your seven is new or younger: put them with the four.
Two 60-minute sessions for 7 players
Ages 6 to 8
- 10 min: 3 Speeds
- 10 min: Sharks & Minnows
- 15 min: Beat the Levels
- 25 min: End Zone Game
Ages 11 and up
- 10 min: 5v2 With a Link
- 10 min: Angles Rondo
- 15 min: Show Late
- 25 min: 3v3 plus a neutral. Cones for goals. Change the neutral every five minutes.
Drills for 7 players, ages 4 to 8
1v1 · 8 min1v1 Four-Goal GameOne attacking line and one defending line, each starting between two small goals.
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1v1, two levels · 10 minBeat the LevelsTwo fields side by side, each split into two grids with a goal at the end.
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Everyone, ball each · 10 minDribbling GatesSeven or eight three-yard gates around the island.
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3v3 or 4v4 · 10 minEnd Zone Game3v3 or 4v4 on a field with an end zone at each end.
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Everyone, ball each · 10 minKnockoutEveryone dribbles on the island; on KNOCKOUT, protect your own ball while trying to kick everyone else’s off.
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1v1 · 7 min1v1 FieldsTwo small 1v1 fields side by side with pug or cone goals, one line attacking and one defending on each, with the coach standing between them.
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Everyone, ball each · 7 min3 SpeedsTurtle, dog, cheetah. Players dribble around while you call out speeds, switching often.
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Everyone, ball each · 7 minBody BrakesEveryone dribbles. Call a speed, then a body part, and players stop the ball with it: foot, knee, elbow, head.
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Everyone, ball each · 7 minCone ColorsCones in two colors scattered around the grid.
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Everyone v the monster · 7 minCone MonsterThe coach is the Cone Monster and carries a cone.
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Everyone v the coach · 8 minSee Ya Later, Coach!Players dribble at you, drag the ball back with the sole just before they reach you, shout “See ya later, Coach!” and speed away into space.
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Minnows v sharks · 11 minSharks & MinnowsThe coach starts as the shark in the middle.
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Everyone, ball each · 7 minSoccer IslandEveryone dribbles inside the island while the sharks wait in the water outside the cones to steal any ball that floats away.
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Everyone, ball each · 7 minSpace ManPlayers dribble anywhere in the grid and freeze with a foot on the ball when you shout.
Open the activity ›Drills for 7 players, ages 9 to 12
Drills for 7 players, ages 11 and up
5v2 · 8 min5v2 With a LinkThe first rondo with a player in the middle. Four attackers on the sides, one inside as the link, two defenders.
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5v2 · 8 minAngles RondoNobody may receive in a corner, or in a straight line with a defender.
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5v2 · 10 minShow LateThe inside player can only receive if they arrive late.
Open the activity ›Questions about coaching 7 players
What is the best rondo for 7 players?
5v2. Start with 5v2 With a Link, move on to Angles Rondo, and use Show Late when your players are ready for a harder rule.
How do you play a game with 7 players?
3v3 plus a neutral who plays for the team with the ball. If you would rather not use a neutral, play 4v3 and swap the teams after every goal.
Should I split 7 players into two groups?
You can run a 3v1 next to a 2v1, but you can only coach one at a time. With seven, it is usually better to keep them together.
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All 100 activities, sorted by how many players you have
100 Possession Activities ends with an index by numbers: 4 to 7 players, 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 or more. Count who showed up, go to the column, run the page. 115 pages and 100 animated videos, with a score and two progressions on every activity.