3v3 Football Drills & Games

3v3 is perfect for the youngest players — tons of touches, dribbling and goals. Here are simple 3v3 games you can run at training, with the coaching points that keep it developmental.

Why 3v3 is brilliant for young players

With only six players on a small pitch, everyone is involved all the time. There's nowhere to hide, so every child gets loads of touches, dribbles and shots — exactly what builds young footballers. Keep a size 3 ball, a small area and no goalkeepers.

Game 1: 3v3 to two goals

Two small goals, no keepers, normal rules. Simple, and it produces constant action and scoring. Keep games short and rotate often.

• Small pitch — roughly 15×15 m.
• No goalkeepers at this age.
• Lots of touches, dribbling and scoring.

Game 2: 3v3 with end zones

Instead of goals, players score by dribbling into an end zone. Encourages carrying the ball and dribbling rather than just kicking it forward.

Game 3: 3v3 four-goal game

A goal in each corner. Players must look up and switch play to find the open goal — introducing scanning and decisions in a fun way.

• Keep it fun — celebrate every goal and effort.
• Encourage dribbling and trying things.
• Rotate teams often to keep it fresh.

Coaching points

At this age, let the game do the teaching. Keep instructions short, demonstrate rather than explain, and above all keep it fun. A child who loves training will keep improving.

See also our 4v4 drills and format-by-age guide.