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Writer's pictureGary Curneen

Fun & High Tempo Warm-Up Games for Elite Level Teams



We have reached that time of the year where training routines have been clearly defined and training habits for both coaches and players are well established. Although this is extremely beneficial towards building consistency in the environment, it can also lead to potential boredom at training when everyone knows what to expect. This week we will look at some creative ways that coaches can change the environment, while still staying consistent with session objectives as they relate to playing style and principles.


In this week's MSC Breakdown below, we take a look at different ideas and how to introduce them. Please subscribe to our YouTube page if you enjoy it.




Here are the FREE dimensions and details for each exercise.


Games Based Competition



  • Four games are organized on the training pitch:

    • 1v1 Match-Ups

      • Each player has a ball and line-up in alternate order

      • One player starts against a defender and looks to score in central goal

      • If defender wins the ball, they can score in wide goals in transition

      • After the attack, defenders leave the field, attackers become defender and a new player enters the field

    • Back-To-Goal Game

      • 3v3 game played in a 20x20 area with goals central

      • Teams can score in any goal at any time

      • Coaches can add pass limit depending on preferences

    • End Zone Game

      • 3v3 game played in a 20x30 yard area with two 5-yard End Zones

      • Team in possession is looking to get the ball into the opponent's End Zone either via a dribble or a pass

    • Four Goal Game

      • 3v3 game played in a 20x20 yard area

      • Each team attacks two goals and defends two goals

      • Teams can score from anywhere on the pitch

  • Each game uses a 3v3 format

  • Games last for 3 minutes before players move to another activity





Technical Circuit



  • Three circuits are set-up around the training pitch

  • Passing

    • 4-5 players organized in a Y-Shaped passing pattern with cones 10-yards apart

    • Players and ball are constantly moving

    • Add combinations to increase difficulty level

  • Dribbling

    • 4-5 players organized at the base of the exercise with one ball each inside a 10x20 yard area

    • One player dribbles through cones and then looks to turn. and play into mini-goals

    • Encourage players to use both sides and both feet

    • When dribbler is at the final cone, next player goes

  • Shooting

    • 4-5 players are organized with a ball each around the penalty area and one player (target) without a ball at the top

    • First player passes to target player, who plays a give-and-go before shooting at goal

    • After the shot, the passer becomes the shooter and the shooter recovers at the back of the line

    • Coaches can alter right and left starting points

  • Each circuit will work for 3 minutes before rotating - six sets in total




Rondo Variation



  • Players are organized into two teams and three different possession games are set-up

  • 4v2 Game

    • 10x10 yard square

    • One point for every 5 successful passes

    • If defenders win possession they are looking to dribble out of the grid

  • 6v3 Game

    • 10x20 yard square

    • One point for every 6 successful passes

    • If defenders win possession they are looking to dribble out of the grid

  • 5v4 Game

    • 25-yard circle

    • One point for every 5 successful passes

    • If defenders win possession they can score in any of the mini-goals for two points


    • Each game will last for 3 minutes before rotating - six sets in total





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