6v6+1 SSG – Common Problems & Solutions

Below are the most common problems you will likely face along with solutions in terms of coaching points and advice for your players. If you encounter other problems, please post details in the comments on this page and your issue will be addressed.

6v6+1 SSG:

Problem: Teams struggle to score goals

Solution: It’s supposed to be challenging to score! However, you can reduce the number of players to encourage more goalscoring if you want to. Going from 6v6 to 5v5 or even 4v4 opens up space and more opportunities to score. You can also introduce an additional neutral player (or join in yourself) to give the team in possession more of an advantage.

Problem: Teams defend their mini-goal with multiple players so it’s hard to score

Solution: Again, it’s supposed to be hard to score but the concept of this small-sided game is the same as for a larger game. Your players have to pass not just for the sake of passing but in order to move your opponents to create space that your players can then exploit. Encourage your players to pass the ball quickly and also not to simply force passes towards the goal. Your players need to get used to circulating the ball from side to side and backwards in order to draw opponents out of their defensive spaces.

Problem: Players don’t move forward together as a unit

Solution: If teams are attacking with only a few players while the others stay back, they are not going to develop the comfort and collective spirit of attacking and defending together. You can introduce a rule whereby all of the players have to be in the opponent’s half to score and this will push both teams to attack and defend as a unit rather than in separate groups.