Soccer
Sharpen up your game with these expert tips for small-sided football.
Looking to improve your football team's performance?
We list out some expert tips from Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five winners on how to win in small-sided football.
Tips include:
- Keep the ball moving
- Shoot in the corners
- Defend as a team
1. Move the ball constantly
Keep the ball moving at all times. With lots of quick passing and moving you can get the opposition out of position. This should give you a chance to score.
2. Counter-attack
When you have a lead, it’s really important to keep the ball. If you do lose it, you have to let the opposition come to you, then aim to nick it back and hit them on the break.
3. Stay calm
It’s really important to keep your discipline and stay composed in high-stakes matches. Don’t let the opposition wind you up.
4. Share the goals
It’s vital that all members of the team can chip in with goals – not just your attacking players. This is because, when games are close, most opponents will try and mark your striker out of the game. Having someone at the back who can chip in with goals is really handy.
5. Respect the ref
Moaning to the referee gets you nowhere. If anything, it can hinder you in the long run.
6. Defend as a team
Defend from the front as a team. Your front man should mark their defender to make it hard for them to get out. This puts pressure on the opposition at the right end of the pitch.
7. Make sure your goalie is a ‘talker’
You need good communication because the game is so fast-paced. Your keeper needs to continuously provide you with information on what's happening.
8. Shoot for the corners
Aim for the corners, or wait for the keeper to dive first – in five-a-side a lot of keepers go early.