Developing Game Intelligence with the

Variations of Mini Football

Besides the game of Mini Football with the official rules and the games mentioned in
the chapter Preparatory and corrective games for Mini Football, the young players
up to 10 years should be exposed frequently to the following variations of Mini
Football which are listed here in a progression of increasing difficulty and
complexity.

MINI FOOTBALL WITH CONTROLLING THE BALL ON THE WIDE

GOAL LINE

To mark a goal the player has to carry the ball across the opposing wide goal line
with the ball close to his feet.
Variation: After a goal has been scored the attackers continue to attack the
opposite goal line.

MIXED MINI FOOTBALL

One team scores with a shot from inside the shooting zone into the less defended
goal of 2 x 1 meters whilst the players of the other one have to dribble the ball
across the 23-25 meter end-line of the opponents or through one of their two 6
meter-wide cone goals which are 12 meters separated.
Variation: After a team scores, the same one remains in possession of the ball,
has to turn around and score their next goal on the opposite side (with shooting or
dribbling the ball).

MINI FOOTBALL WITH HANDICAP

After each goal, the scoring team loses a player and must play until the next goal
with one player less than the other team (2 vs. 3). In case the team of 3 players
scores, then the expulsed player returns to play, while the scoring team loses a
player (3 vs. 2). The objective is to score despite being in inferiority of numbers
what allows the scoring team to win one point. After it, the game is restarted with 3
players in each team. The competition is over when one team manages to collect
three points.
Why do we play Mini Football with a handicap?
So that you learn how to adjust to different game situations and how to
continuously read the game. Initially you play 3 v 3, then 2 v 3 or 3 v 2 or even 1 v
3 or 3 v 1.

5 RETAINING BALL POSSESSION IN 3VS.2 SITUATIONS

Each team must have one of its 3 players in its own shooting zone. It can only
attack when the 3 players manage to keep possession of the ball for 6 (8) seconds,
despite being pressured by two opponents.
Once achieved the objective the player in the shooting zone should move up-field,
trying to score with his 2 midfielders against the 3 opponents, set up in a 2:1formation with one defender playing in the shooting zone.
Once the attacking team looses possession, one of the three returns to his shooting
zone whilst the other two defend against the 3 new attackers which try to keep
possession of the ball in order to obtain the right to go into attack.

Variation 1:
In order to improve the receiving and control of aerial passes the teacher in charge
may demand from the team which won the possession of the ball to execute a
certain number of aerial passes.
Variation 2 (for older players)
To improve specific skills, only a certain number of successful passes with the
weaker foot, passes over more than 10 meters or first-time passes have to be
executed during the second phase of attacking ( maintain the possession of the
ball).
Explain the different phases through which the attacking players have to
go through after winning the ball and before scoring a goal?
- 1st.Secure possession (passing the ball directly into the feet of a team-mate);
-2nd.: progress or going forward on the field to come close to the shooting zone
where on attacker should receive the pass which will enable him to
3rd.phase: score a goal..
What three things the three attackers should do for retaining their
possession of the ball?
-Avoid unnecessary 1 v 1 situations;
-Pass the ball to the feet of a team-mate whenever possible;
-Run into space, look out for space and then use it.

MINI FOOTBALL WITH ONE PLAYER REMAINING INSIDE THE

SHOOTING ZONE

One player of each team has to remain always in the shooting zone. After each goal
this defender has to switch positions with one midfield player.

Why should one of the 3 players remain in the shooting zone?

So that there is a balance between defence and attack and there are more passing
options.
What are the tasks of the player who hangs back behind his team-mates?
The player who hangs back can help out if his team-mates make a defensive
mistake, and can cover the backs of the midfield players. He can take up a
position to receive a return pass and can launch an attack with his passes.
Variation: Whilst building up an attack, the defender in the shooting zone may
move up into the midfield, provided that one of his team-mates falls back to occupy
his position.

DRIBBLING THE BALL ACROSS ONE OF THE TWO WIDE GOALS

See the official rules of Mini Football. Instead of shooting into one of the 2 cone
goals from inside the shooting zone, an attacker has to dribble the ball through one
of the two 6-meter wide cone goals.
Variation 1:
The player who dribbles the ball across the goal
line has to demonstrate a trick, such as Zidanes
spin.
Tip for the coach: This variation forces the
attackers to make better use of the space and
create clear goal-scoring opportunities.
Variation 2:
A goal is only valid when each of the attackers
has played the ball at least once during their
attack.
Variation 3:
A goal only counts if the ball has never been elevated during the attack. This makes
attacks faster and more effective.
Why should the players keep the ball on the ground?
High passes slow down the play and result in more ball-control errors by the
receiving player.

Variation 4:
During the attacking move at least one aerial pass must be played in order to draw
the attention to the importance of the skill of receiving and controlling aerial
passes.
Variation 5:
A goal is only valid if all attackers are at that moment in the defending teams half.
This encourages all 3 players to attack as a compact unit.
Variation 6:
A goal is only valid if one of 3 attackers is at that moment in his own half of the
field, thus maintaining a good balance between attack and defence. This covering
defender is then in a position to slow down an opposing counterattack in case that
his team loses ball possession.

MINI FOOTBALL WITH GOAL-SHOTS

A Mini Football Field is established in the

centre of the Football -7 field. Once one
team of three players manages to dribble
the ball across the less defended 6-8m-wide
cone goal the same players within 3 seconds
has to carry out a shot on the Football-7 goal
which is defended by a neutral goalkeeper.
The goal (6m x 2m) is at a distance of 13
metres. After each goal the goalkeeper is
substituted by the player who scored.

Variation: After the ball has been dribbled across one of the two goal-lines, all
players can leave the Mini Field until a goal is scored in the 7-a-side goal or the ball
goes out of play.

MINI FOOTBALL WITH 3 TEAMS

A team of 3 players takes up positions in the middle of the field in order to attack
alternatively the two mini goals on both end lines. Each set of 2 goals is defended
by a team of 3 players.
One defender is a goalkeeper who has to remain always on the goal-line between
both goals, while his fellow defender in front of him can only defend being on the 6meter-line. The third defender can move and defend freely within his own half of
the field (3vs.1+1+1).
Variation 1:
One of the 3 defenders has to remain always in the shooting zone (3 vs. 2 +1).
After 10 attacks (5 at each end), the attackers swap places with one of the
defending teams. This is repeated until all of the teams have attacked.
Variation 2: The attackers lose their right to attack if their attack wasnt

successful. After having recovered ball possession, the defender has to pass it to a
team-mate in order to acquire the right to go in attack.
How does the positional play of the goalkeeper in front of the 2 goals
influence the build-up play of the 3 attackers? Give examples for the
different positions of the goalkeeper in front of the 2 goals!
The players should attack the goal furthest away from the goalkeeper (preferably
using a long through pass). When the ball is in the oppositions half, the
goalkeeper observes the play from a position midway between the 2 goals, so that
he can quickly defend the goal that is attacked.

10 TREE TIMES ONE AGAINST ONE

Each of the three players of one Mini Football team faces a player of similar
performance level of the opponent in a 1-on-1-game. The three duels are played
simultaneously with the three couples initially sufficiently separated from each other
in the centre of the field.
Each duel finishes with a dribble through one of the two wide cone goals of the
personal opponent or with the ball running out of the field. When all 1-on-1-games
are over another 6 players take over whilst the first 6 rest. After 5 continuous ball
possessions of one player both teams have to switch functions and the attackers
are becoming now defenders. After each trial of duels the coach announces the
actual score. Wins the team which after 18 attacks have scored more often.
-Which are the most common mistakes of the attacker in a 1-on-1situation?
- To dribble the ball directly to the defender instead of forcing the defender to
move
out of his position.
- To enter into the range of action of the defender.
- To forget to use the change of speed and direction as important weapons to
overcome the defender.
- To dribble the ball too close or too far away from the feet.
-What actually the attacker should do to win the duel against the
defender?
- Run diagonally towards the less defended goal and once the defender follows him,
change the direction
and penetrate in the space of the opposite, created by your diagonal dribble.
- Its important to move the defender towards one side and then with an explosive
change of direction and
speed or selling him a dummy get away from him.
-What are the recommendation for a successful defence?
- Never defend in a frontal position. Try to assume a balanced side-onposition and
channel your attacker
versus your strong side (your preferred cone goal) for which you prepared.
- In case of recovering the possession of the ball change instantly from defence to
offence.

11

THROUGH PASSING OUT OF THE MIDFIELD TO A FRONT-RUNNER

Each team positions a striker (front runner) in front of the opponents goals inside
the shooting zone. The striker expects to receive an accurate through pass from
one of his 2 team-mates, who first are not allowed to leave the midfield. The striker
controls the ball (ideally in a side-on position which allows him to see the goals and
the passer at the same time) and then shoots at one of the goals.
As the attacking players skills become more proficient, the coach can not only ask
the striker to receive the ball in a side-on position but also the midfield players to
use different passing techniques with the right or left foot.

When is the best moment to play a through pass?

Immediately after winning the ball, before the opposing team has time to regroup
defensively.
What are the requirements for a successful through pass?
The passer and the receiver should have a visual agreement ( eye contact) so that
there is an understanding between them. The receiver should always receive and
control the ball standing side-on to the goals which allows him to see what is going
on behind him.
Is it better to pass along the ground or in the air? Why?
Passing along the ground is better, because high passes complicate the play and
slow it down. High passes result in more mistakes.
Variation 1:
To improve receiving and controlling the ball, the ball has to be passed through the
air to the striker.
Variation 2:
The midfielders of both teams can only enter the shooting zone after the ball has
been passed into it. This forces the striker to receive, to control and to orientate the
ball versus a space, where there is no opponent.
Variation 3:
The striker is not allowed to score. This means that one of his 2 midfielders must
quickly offer himself up-field in the shooting area where he receives the ball from
the striker and then scores.
What do we have to do to score a goal?
One of the 2 midfielders must make a forward run into the shooting zone and call
for the ball.

Which of the 2 midfielders should make the forward run?

Usually this will be the player who is closest to the striker. In some game situations
a switch of flanks is better, because the midfielder who is furthest away then has a
free run at the goal.
Why do the 2 midfielders not both make forward runs?
If the defenders win the ball, they will be able to counterattack, because no one is
covering in midfield.
.
Variation 4: The Mini game is now played with teams formed by 4 players. The
front-runner offers himself outside of the Mini field behind one of the two cone
goals in order to receive in a side-on position a through-pass from one of his three
midfielders.
Variation 5: As in variation 4. Three midfield players try to pass the ball out of the
midfield through one of the two cone goals on the opposing end-line. Both goals are
defended by the fourth opponent who besides initiating the attacks remains
exclusively inside the shooting zone in order to be able to anticipate and intercept
through-passes through any of the two cone goals.

12

ATTACKING THE DIAGONALLY OPPOSED GOALS

Each team attacks two diagonally opposed goals and defends the two other goals. A
goal is scored by shooting into one of the 2 goals from inside the shooting zone or
by dribbling the ball across one of the 2 cone goals.

Which of the 2 goals is the best one to attack?

The players should attack the goal that is defended by only 1 defender. To do so,
they should create a 2 against 1 situation and exploit this successfully to score.
How should the attack be carried out (by running with the ball or passing)?
-Passes make the game faster and enable free space to be used more
effectively.
-Frequent changes of direction when running with the ball may create more space
and cause the defender to make a wrong decision or a positional error.
How can the attacker create a situation in which his team has a numerical
advantage?
By changing direction when running with the ball and then switching the play.

Variation:
The coach and his assistant (or player) change by sudden the colour of the cone
goals, what should be done simultaneously. A goal is scored only by dribbling the
ball across the cone goal which colour has been indicated beforehand.
Modifying during the development of the game the colour of the goals helps to
improve the perceptive skills of all players involved, as they have to have in their
field of vision all the 4 goals as well as reading what is happening on the field.

13 CHOOSE ANY OF THE 4 GOALS

The 3 attackers always attack the goal
that they consider to be the less defended one.
one. The coach can specify whether a goal has
should be scored by shooting from inside
the shooting zone or by dribbling the ball
across any cone goal (6 meters wide).
Variation 1:
A goal only counts if the nearest defender
is at least 5 meters away when the ball is
dribbled across the goal line.
Variation 2:
A team of 3 players has 10 ball possessions with the other team defending the 4
goals. An attack starts always from the centre and finishes when a goal is scored,
the ball goes out of play or when a defender gains possession of the ball.
The defenders have to position themselves intelligently to prevent the attackers
from scoring. The objective of the game is to teach the attackers to use the space
with intelligent passing and to avoid taking risks what would allow them to score 10
times with 10 ball possessions.
Variation 3:
The 4 goals can be positioned anywhere on the end-lines or sidelines of the Mini
field.
How can I disguise the direction of my attack?
First of all by running in another direction to fool your opponent. You can then
accelerate and change direction to leave your opponent behind or take the ball past
him.
What does the attacker with the ball have to pay attention to?
He needs to take his eyes off the ball (head up, peripheral vision), so that he can
see what the defenders are doing in front of the goals and what his 2 team-mates
are doing, so that he can employ the right tactics.
.

COACHING IS A DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WITH TASKS

WHICH BECOME STEADILY MORE DIFFICULT FROM WEEK TO WEEK,
MONTH TO MONTH AND YEAR TO YEAR
BUT WHICH NEVER MAKE DEMANDS THAT EXCEED
THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES OF THE PLAYERS.

14

MODIFY THE POSITION OF THE 4 MINI GOALS

This game is a mixture between the game 12 and the official game of Mini Football.
Behind each end-line of the Mini field a substitutes is positioned with the function to
modify every two minutes simultaneously with his partner on the opposite side the
colour of the goals. When the official game of Mini Football should be played both
teams are attacking the left or right goal on the opposite end-line. But in case the
coach orders suddenly the substitutes to modify the colour of the right (and later on
only the left) goal whilst the colour of the other goal remains the same the official
game of Mini Football becomes a Mini football game on two diagonally opposed
goals.
Through continuous changing of the colours of the goals all players are obliged to
perceive and analyse the game situations and act accordingly as it may happen also
in the competitive football game.
Variation 1:The goals can also be placed
a) on the side-lines,
b) in the corners of the Mini Field or
c) on the 6m-line of the shooting zone in order to practise precise back-passing
(scoring) from the end-line into the field..

15 MINI FOOTBALL SCORE INDIVIDUALLY IN ANY OF THE 4 GOALS

Nine balls are placed in the centre of a mini field with one attacker picking up the
first ball. The defenders are positioning themselves in such a way that the attacker
has difficulties to score with a dribble in any of the 4 goals.
After having scored or lost possession of the first ball the same attacker returns to
the centre and attacks again from the centre of the pitch until he accomplished 3
individual attacks with the defenders positioning themselves at the start at at least
5 m. apart from the attacker.
Once the first attacker has completed his three attacks its the turn of the second
and then o the third one to try to score first with the balls 3,4 and 6 and then with
the 7th, the 8th and last not least with the 9th. ball.
In continuation both teams change their positions and functions.
Wins the team of three players which scores more goals.

Which are the objectives of this game in defence?

- The first objective of this game is that the three defenders should discover
in the 9 individual attacks that there is a need to work together as a team in
order to avoid the success of the only attacker.
- The second one is the need of communicating between each other to
improve mutual support and collaboration.
Which are the objectives of this game in attack?
- The attacker should learn to dribble the ball in an upright position which
allows him to discover where the space is or his penetration dribble.
- Once the space has been closed by one defender he should quickly change
speed and direction in order to go the unmarked zone of the field and then
score.

16 MAKE IT, TAKE IT

After scoring a goal with dribbling the ball across any of the 6m-wide cone goals,
the attackers immediately attack the other two goals at the other end of the field,
without being tackled inside of the shooting zone by the opposite players. These
should quickly mark the two front-runners in the midfield to avoid a successful
counterattack and another goal by the same attackers.
The team that manages to score within 10 minutes the highest number of
successive goals is declared winner. This variation is especially good for improving
the players concentration.
What do we learn when we have to attack the goal at the opposite end
immediately after scoring a goal?
-You learn how to adjust quickly to a new situation and how to play the ball quickly
out of a crowded zone into space to give your team more time and space to create
a scoring chance.
-You learn how to control the pace of the play (you can speed up the play or slow it
down).
What is the best way for the attacking team to score several times in
succession?

Immediately after scoring, the scorer should not try to run with the ball but should
play it to a team-mate who has made a run into space in midfield. All of the players
who helped in the move that led to the goal should put distance between
themselves and the ball and run into space in the opposing teams half of the field.

17

GIVING WIDTH WHEN ATTACKING

This variation on Mini Football encourages the players to build up attacks by playing
down the flanks, and to give width to their attacks. Two 6-meter wide goals are
formed halfway down the field by placing cones near the sidelines. The attackers
should not start the build-up in the centre (danger of counterattack if possession is
lost) but must attack, using the wings. A goal is only valid if the attack has been
launched with a dribble or pass of the ball through one of the two cone goals in the
centre of the field.

18 MINI FOOTBALL WITH THROUGH PASSES THROUGH

ONE OF THE MINI GOALS TO A FRONT RUNNER
Two (three) players dispute the possession of the ball exclusively in the midfield
between the two shooting zones. Each team tries to send through passes out of the
midfield through any of the 2 mini goals to a third or fourth player who offers
himself outside the field behind one of the two goals in order to control the ball.

When should the striker run into position to receive the pass?
When he sees that a midfielder of his team lift his head to look out for him with the
intention to play a through pass (visual agreement before executing the pass). He
then runs behind the goal to offer himself for a pass.
When the ideal moment arises for playing a through?
Immediately after having conquered the ball from the opponent there is generally a
good opportunity to execute a through pass because of the availability of space.

19 DISGUISING AND INTERCEPTING THROUGH PASSES

Two players of each team play exclusively in the midfield whilst the third players
has to remain in his proper shooting zone in order to prevent the two opponents
from scoring out of the midfield with a disguised through pass through the less
defended mini goal.

20 CHANNELLING THE OPPONENT S ATTACK

The official rules of Mini Football apply. If a team scores in the goal on the right side
of the attackers it is awarded 3 points, and if it scores in the goal on the left of the
attackers only 1 point. In this way, the defenders learn how deviate the opponents
attack, to close down the available space and channel attacks towards the side of
the field for which they are better prepared.

-How a defender may achieve to force the opponent to attack in his desired
zone of the field?
-Before attacking the ball he assumes a side-on position besides the ball carrier.
Through this position he obliges the attacker to dribble the ball into this unoccupied
zone, making it impossible to penetrate at the opposite side. This way he is
channelling the opposing attack into a zone in which he has more opportunities to
regain the ball with or without help of a covering player.

21 MINI FOOTBALL WITH ONE OUTLET PLAYER ON EACH SIDELINE

A Mini Football team is now formed by 5 players, three playing inside the field and
an additional one is offering himself for a pass on each sideline. Once the outletplayer receives the ball, being on the sideline, he enters the field whilst the passing
player has to move out to change places with the receiver.

Variation 1:
Only one outlet player is available behind a sideline.
Variation 2:

The outlet player has only one touch and should be replaced every 5 minutes with
one of the team-mates playing on the field.
-When ideally the outlet player should receive the ball?
-In case most of the play develops on one side of the field it can be done
intentionally by the attackers to move all three to this part of the field- it would be
wise to play the ball out of this crowed area and pass it to the opposite side which
is unattended by the defenders.

22 MINI FOOTBALL WITH RUGBY RULES

None of the passes should be played forward. Only square or back passes are
allowed and in case of not putting this particular rule in practise the ball will be
given to the team which hasnt done the infringement.
Through this rule the ball carrier is always asked to consult his brain before playing
the ball. Also his team-mates without the ball should think before they move
intelligently (remaining behind the ball), for not encouraging the ball carrier to pass
the ball forward.

23 MINI FOOTBALL WITH TWO BALLS AT THE SAME TIME

Each teams starts their attack out of their proper shooting zone with the aim to
progress into the opposing shooting zone to score in either mini goal and at the
same time avoid that the opponent is able to score.
After one ball has been kicked into one net or left the mini field the attention of all
6 players concentrates on the second ball until this found any o the 4 goals or went
out of the field.
A new game starts with both teams launching their attacks out of their shooting,
trying to put in practise the experiences made during the first challenge with two
balls.
After 5 attacks the team which manages to score more goals wins.

-What tactics the players without the ball should apply, should they

support the ball carrier or better concentrate on defending?

-The children will discover that it is more successful when two players defend and
the third player try to score with an individual penetration into the opposing
shooting zone.
-Which mistakes both teams may commit?
- All three players are going to attack and none is available to stop the opponents
from progressing in the field and score.
-When two players concentrate on attacking and the third one remains back to
defend the goals there are less chances to win the match than when 2 players are
defending, standing in a goal for more than 3 seconds.

24 BALL POSSESSION TRAINING FOR 6 SECONDS IN MINI FOOTBALL

The game starts with the coach passing the ball into the centre of the field where
two opponents who rush out of their proper shooting zones dispute the ball and try
to gain possession of it, touching it at least 6 times consecutively. Once one of both
has achieved this first aim he has to pass the ball to one of his team mates who
waits for his pass behind any of the two sidelines outside the field.
Its control allows him to enter the field to establish a superiority of 2 against 1 in
attack with the aim to maintain the possession of the ball for 6 seconds against the
only defender without allowing the ball go leave the field.
Should the ball runs off the field or the defender gains possession, a kick-in is
awarded or a pass should be made to the team mate of the only defender which
establishes a 2:2-situation. Then the team which first maintains the ball for at least
6 seconds in their possession should pass it to their third team-mate outside the
field to establish a 3:2. Finally after controlling the ball for at least 6 seconds they
try to score in either of the opposing mini goals.
But in case the two attackers manages to maintain for 6 seconds the ball in the
2:1-situation, they have to pass the ball to their third player outside the field to
make it 3:1 with the aim to maintain it again for 6 seconds and then finally score
in one of the goals of the oppositions side.
In other words before including one more player the ball has to be maintained in
the 2:1. 2:2, 3 : 1 or 3: 2 situation before the three attackers may score the
winning goal.
In the second and third trial two other players are involved in disputing the ball in
the centre of the mini field.
Wins the team which in the three attempts manages to score more goals.

What the attackers are going to learn in this variation of Mini Football?
1st: To shield the ball in the 1:1,2:1, 2:2 or 3:2 situation from preventing the defender to touch
it.
2nd.:To know when to pass and when not to pass.
3rd. To pass into the correct direction with the correct speed and whenever possible flat along
the ground.
4th. To execute oriented receptions and controls of the ball, thinking always before the arrival of
the ball where to play it next.
5th: To run in an unmarked space after having successfully delivered the ball.
What the defenders are to learn in this variation of Mini Football?
1st: To reduce the space and time for the ball carrier..
2nd: To look out for the correct line of approaching the ball carrier.
3rd: To intercept or anticipate passes from attackers in superiority of numbers through offering
them intentionally a space to pass the ball.
4th: To show aggressiveness whilst defending.