3v3 Defenders In Zones

3v3 defenders in zones is a small sided game variation which gives the offensive team an
incentive to move the ball as the defenders must stay in their areas.

Set Up

Create a playing area with a large goal and a goal keeper at one end. Divide the field into
three even zones and place one defender in each zone. In addition, start with three
attacking lines at the end opposite the goal. Balls start with players in the middle line.

How It Works

The attacking team comes out to play 3v3 against the defenders, trying to score just like
in a normal 3v3. The only exception in this drill is that the defenders must stay in their
individual zones. If the defenders win the ball, the play is dead and they can rotate off
while a new team becomes the defenders for the next round.

Key coaching points

This is an excellent drill for players to work on moving the ball around to find an opening
for a shot. Because there is only one defender in each zone, the offensive team can have
an advantage by overloading a single zone and using combinations to get around the
defender.