High-Intensity 3v3 Game: Boost Fitness and Teamwork

-September 11, 2024

This 3v3 football drill is a fast-paced, high-intensity game designed to improve players’ technical and tactical skills in a small-sided format. Whether you’re coaching amateurs or professional players, this drill can boost team cohesion, individual ball control, and fitness levels.

Setup

You will need balls, bibs, small goals and cones to mark the pitch. You don’t need much space; a 15m x 15m space will be enough. This smaller pitch suits 6 players (3v3) and forces players to operate in tight spaces. Use the cones to mark a square, as shown in the picture, and position the small goals at about 1 meter from the sidelines. This distance between the goals and the sidelines will stop players from blocking the goals by standing right in front of them.

This drill is designed for 6 players (3 players per team). It simulates various aspects of an 11-a-side game but in a small format. Variations with more players are possible, but you must increase the size of the field accordingly.

Instructions

This drill is a simple football game that emphasizes quick movements and intensity. Here are the detailed instructions:

Divide the players into two teams of 3 players each.
Each team chooses a side and a primary goal to defend, as in a regular game.
The objective is to score in any of the goals, but scoring in the opposition’s primary goal is worth 2 points while scoring the secondary goals is worth 1 point.
Players cannot leave the square. This will stop them from entirely blocking the goals and other actions that go against the spirit of the drill.
If a player steps outside the square intentionally, without being pushed by an opposition player, and their team is defending, the team in possession of the ball adds 1 point to their score.
If a player steps outside the square intentionally, without being pushed by an opposition player, and their team is attacking, their team loses possession of the ball.
To keep intensity high, play for a set time, like 10 minutes per match.

Feel free to add variations such as limiting the number of touches per player, changing the points each goal is worth or playing to a target score rather than a set time.

Key Benefits and Takeaways

Incorporating this high-intensity 3v3 game into your training routine offers multiple technical, tactical, and physical benefits. This drill mirrors real match scenarios in a condensed format, helping players enhance crucial skills.

Scoring and Tactical Versatility: Players can score in any of the goals, but scoring in the central goals (worth 2 points) encourages attacking play, while the side goals (worth 1 point) add tactical depth. Players must assess risk and reward when choosing where to shoot, simulating the decision-making needed in competitive matches.
Improved Ball Control and Passing Accuracy: The limited space forces players to improve their ball control, dribbling, and passing. Precision is key in maintaining possession under pressure, a skill that directly translates to full-sized matches.
Quick Decision-Making Under Pressure: Operating in tight spaces demands fast thinking and rapid reactions. Players develop the ability to assess their options and execute decisions in a split second, which is essential for success on match day.
Enhanced Spatial Awareness and Triangulation: Regular practice of this drill teaches players to recognize and exploit small pockets of space. This is crucial for effective movement and positioning in any football game, especially when creating passing triangles.
Team Communication and Cohesion: Success in this game relies heavily on teamwork and communication. Players must collaborate to retain possession, create scoring opportunities, and defend efficiently, leading to better team dynamics in competitive settings.
Increased Fitness and Conditioning: The fast-paced, high-intensity nature of this game ensures that players are constantly moving, which enhances both their stamina and speed, critical attributes for match fitness.
Defensive Skills: Defenders benefit by learning to close down opponents quickly, intercept passes, and transition from defence to attack under pressure.

By regularly practising this 3v3 drill, players will improve individually and develop a stronger understanding of teamwork, positioning, and decision-making—all key to success in 11-a-side matches.

We’d love to hear how your team benefits from this 3v3 drill. Please share your experiences and modifications on our Facebook page or tag us in your training videos!

Pablo Matamoros

I am a software engineer with 25+ years of experience across diverse industries. I've climbed the corporate leader over the years, which has some benefits but means I moved away from my love for tinkering with technology. So, I build the odd website or application to keep learning and stay in touch with technology. FootballTechniques allows me to combine my programming knowledge with my passion for football.

To find out more about my professional experience, visit PabloMatamoros.com