AFL · Game · Decision-making

Mini footy 4v4

A small-sided game on a 30 × 20 m field with cone goals, no tackling, and three seconds to kick or handball.

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Start / 4
Time
15 min
Players
6–10
Age
U7–U11
Area
30 × 20 m
Equipment
2 size 2–3 footballs8 cones5 bibs

Setup

  1. Mark a 30 × 20 m field with four corner cones and a cone goal, 4 m wide, at each end.
  2. Two teams of three or four, one in bibs.
  3. Keep a spare ball with the coach so play restarts quickly.

How it runs

  1. Start with a bounce or throw-up from the coach in the middle.
  2. Move the ball by kick or handball; the player with the ball has three seconds to get rid of it.
  3. No tackling or bumping; defenders stay a metre off the ball carrier and try to win it in the air or off the ground.
  4. A kick through the cone goal scores; the other team kicks in from their goal line.

Coaching points

  • Find space away from your team-mates so there's someone to kick to.
  • Lead towards the player with the ball, hands out.
  • Look up before you kick: who's free?

Common mistakes

  • Everyone chasing the ball in a bunch.
  • Holding the ball too long and kicking to a covered player.

Say it: “Find space, look up, kick to the free player.”

Make it harder

  • Everyone on the team must touch the ball before a goal counts.
  • Handball only in the back half of the field.

Make it easier

  • Play 4v3, with the coach joining the team that's struggling.
  • Allow five seconds with the ball instead of three.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.