Flexible Game Forms: 3 Drills for 8–13 Players and Goalkeepers

Training plans don’t always go as expected — and that’s exactly where flexibility becomes a coach’s greatest strength. The following 3 drills (for 8, 10, and 13 field players + 2 goalkeepers) are designed to help you adapt your sessions quickly and effectively, no matter how many players show up.

All drills are taken from UEFA A-License coach Thomas Kettner’s acclaimed booklet series Flexible Training Sessions, now available in our store. This first volume, Game Forms with Goalkeepers, offers practical game-based formats for 6–13 field players and includes key coaching points, variations, field sizes, and more — all tailored for flexible, real-world use in both youth and adult training.

4+ 2 vs 4: Ball retention vs goal scoring with 8 players and 2 goalkeepers

Organization & Procedure
2 teams (red and blue) with 4 players each, 2 goalkeepers in the goals, field size: 36 x 32m. 4 rounds with 3’ and active breaks each Total duration: 20’

• 4+ 2 GK vs 4 on ball retention without offside!
• The Red team (4 players) is playing together with the 2 goalkeepers in 6 vs 4 to keep the ball.
• 12 passes in a row = one point! The team in majority plays with max. 2 contacts only.
• Blue (4 players) counterattacks on one of the 2 goals after winning the ball.
• The shorthanded team has free play.
• If a goal is scored, this team then is prompted to keep the ball.
• Always new from the GK when the ball is kicked out.

Coaching Points

• Open body positions and playability
• Immediate counterpressing when the ball is lost

Variation

• Flat pass from GK to GK gives an extra point
• Majority team without contact restrictions

Creating scoring opportunities with a pass into the depth with 10 players and 2 goalkeeprs

Organization & Procedure
2 teams (red and blue) with 5 players each, 2 goalkeepers in the goals, field size: 40 x 50m divided into 3 zones, 2 large goals set up upside down in the middle zone (40 x 20m).
2 outdoor zones, each 40 x 15m. 3 rounds with 4’ playing time each. Total duration: 15’

• 4 vs. 4 in the middle zone on ball retention with the aim of playing to the attacker in the outer zone after 5 passes. The attacker must then finish with a max. of 2 contacts.
• This pass simulates a return pass from the outer goal line.
• If a goal is scored, the team retains possession of the ball.
• Play without offside!

Coaching Points

• Open body position and playability
• Immediate counterpressing when the ball is lost

4+ 2 vs 4+ neutral and restricted areas with 13 players and 2 goalkeepers

Organization & Procedure

2 teams (red and blue) with 6 players each, one neutral player (yellow), 2 goalkeepers in the goals, field size: 40 x 32m and 4 restricted areas (4x4m) marked in the corners. 6 rounds with 3’ playing time each with active breaks. Total duration: 25’

• Game 4+ 2 vs 4+ 2 and one neutral with a defined direction of play.
• The respective offensive exclusion zones are each occupied by one player, who can be included as a wall player at any time. Wall player and the neutral play with max. 2 contacts. The corner players have free play.
• Goals can only be scored by the 4 active players.
• If a goal is scored, the team retains ball possession and starts with a first pass of their goalkeeper.
• Play with offside (exception: corner players).

Coaching Points

• Open body position and switch play
• Cover rows and find gaps

Variations

• Play without offside
• Contact limitation (max. 3 contacts) of the 4 active players
• 6 mandatory passes before a goal can be scored

More about coach Thomas Kettner in our Interview here

• The Road to the UEFA A-License: Insights from Coach Thomas Kettner