A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO 3v3 & 5v5 FOOTBALL
This course is designed to support grassroots football coaches and volunteers as players transition into structured 3v3 and 5v5 football. The course aims to provide practical guidance that helps coaches respond effectively during matches while maintaining a strong focus on player learning and development. The course is not intended to teach coaches how to control every aspect of the game or to achieve perfect outcomes. At this stage, success is defined by creating a safe, engaging environment where players are encouraged to explore, experiment, and learn.
This course uses easy-to-follow guides, diagrams, and multiple-choice quizzes to support you step by step as a coach, helping you prepare your players for 3v3 and 5v5 football.
COURSE DURATION - 90 MINUTES
Why Is 3v3 & 5v5 Football So Important?
3v3 and 5v5 football provide players with:
⚽ More touches of the ball
⚽ More opportunities to make decisions
⚽ More 1v1 situations
⚽ Increased involvement in the game
⚽ Faster technical development
⚽ Greater confidence and creativity
Who Is This Course For?
⚽ Grassroots Coaches
⚽ Recreational Soccer Coaches
⚽ Academy Foundation Coaches
⚽ Parent Volunteers
⚽ Youth Team Managers
⚽ Coaches Working With U6-U10 Players
After Completing This Course You Will Be Able To:
✅ Create better learning environments
✅ Improve player decision-making
✅ Develop confident young players
✅ Structure age-appropriate game formats
✅ Understand the purpose behind small-sided football
✅ Coach 3v3 football
✅ Coach 5v5 football
ENTERING COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL WITH PURPOSE
3V3 RULES, RESTARTS & MATCH DAY PREPARATION
5V5 RULES, RESTARTS & MATCH DAY PREPARATION
5V5 GAME STRUCTURE WITHOUT OVER-COMPLICATION
PRACTICAL COACHING SOLUTIONS
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUIZZES
COURSE CREATOR
George Lappas is a UEFA A Licence coach, Personal Trainer, and First-Team Opposition Scout & Player recruitment specialist with over 25 years experience. He is currently Head of Coaching at one of the largest grassroots football clubs in the country (FA 3 Star Accredited).
George has a track record of developing many professional & international players including: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City FC, England), Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United), Joshua Murphy (Portsmouth FC), Zak Sturge (Millwall FC, England Youth).
George has previously coached at Fulham, QPR and Watford academies. George has worked as a Recruitment Specialist and Opposition Analyst for Barnet, Leyton Orient, Wigan Athletic, Millwall and Malawi (AFCON 2022).
George has also worked with Corporate clients including Pepsi, TNT Sports and Panini, providing football coaching experiences for young players alongside Leah Williamson, Mason Mount, Ellen White, Lauren James, Phil Jagielka and David James.
Example Curriculum
- ENTERING COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL WITH PURPOSE
- MODULE OVERVIEW
- NEW ENTRY LEVEL 3v3 FORMAT
- MATCHES AS LEARNING EXPERIENCES
- WHAT COACHES CAN CONTROL
- WHAT COACHES CANNOT CONTROL
- ACCEPTING MISTAKES
- COACHING UNCERTAINTIES
- THE REALITY OF SMALL-SIDED GAMES
- WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- EXPECTED PLAYER BEHAVIOURS
- POSITIVE COACHING PRACTICES
- EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
- EQUAL PLAYING TIME & ROTATION
- KEY COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL PRESENCE
- WORK RATE AND PHYSICAL PERSISTENCE
- DEVELOPING PHYSICAL CONTACT CONFIDENCE IN 3V3 & 5V5
- END OF MODULE 1 TASK - JUST BECAUSE IT WORKS ON TV…
- 3 v 3 RULES, RESTARTS & MATCH-DAY PREPARATION
- MODULE OVERVIEW
- PITCHES SIZES
- GOAL SIZES AND NETS
- BASIC RULES & DURATION
- POWER PLAY
- HEADING
- RESTARTS - KICK-OFFS
- RESTARTS - FREE-KICKS
- RESTARTS - INDIRECT FREE KICKS
- RESTARTS - PENALTY KICKS
- RESTARTS - FROM THE TOUCHLINE
- RESTARTS - FROM THE TOUCHLINE PASS-IN (0:17)
- RESTARTS - FROM THE TOUCHLINE DRIBBLE-IN (0:17)
- RESTARTS - CORNER KICKS
- RESTARTS - GOALKICKS
- PRESSING FROM THE RETREAT LINE (0:19)
- PREPARING FOR MATCH-DAY
- 3v3 SHAPE (0:50)
- RUNNING WITH THE BALL
- TURNING
- DRIBBLING
- SHIELDING
- SCREENING THE BALL
- PASSING
- END OF MODULE 2 TASK - 'GRASSROOTS DNA'
- 5 v 5 RULES, RESTARTS & MATCH-DAY PREPARATION
- MODULE OVERVIEW
- PITCH SIZES
- GOAL SIZES AND NETS
- BASIC RULES & DURATION
- POWER PLAY
- HEADING
- RESTARTS - KICK-OFFS
- RESTARTS - FREE-KICKS
- RESTARTS - INDIRECT FREE KICKS
- RESTARTS - PENALTY KICKS
- RESTARTS - FROM THE TOUCHLINE
- RESTARTS - FROM THE TOUCHLINE PASS-IN
- RESTARTS - FROM THE TOUCHLINE DRIBBLE-IN
- RESTARTS - CORNER KICKS
- RESTARTS - GOALKICKS
- PRESSING FROM THE RETREAT LINE (0:30)
- PLAYING THE ADVANTAGE
- GOALKEEPER - BACK PASSES
- PREPARING FOR MATCH-DAY
- STOP-STARTS OR FEINTS
- SHOOTING & FINISHING
- MOVEMENT OFF THE BALL
- RECEIVING THE BALL
- GOALKEEPING
- GOALKEEPERS AREA OF MOVEMENT
- GOALKEEPER DISTRIBUTION
- BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOALKEEPING
- GOALKEEPERS STARTING AN ATTACK
- END OF MODULE 3 TASK - GRASSROOTS RULES: KEEP IT MOVING
- GAME STRUCTURE WITHOUT OVER-COMPLICATION
- MODULE OVERVIEW
- OBSERVATION BEFORE INTERVENTION
- CHALLENGES APPLYING SIMPLE STRUCTURES
- WHY USE TEAM STRUCTURES & POSITIONS?
- FIVE CORE PLAYING PRINCIPLES BEFORE SHAPE
- 5v5 SHAPE
- 5v5 ATTACKING SHAPE (0:34)
- 5v5 DEFENDING SHAPE (0:34)
- INTRODUCTION TO POSITIONAL ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- DUTCH NUMBERS
- NUMBER 1
- NUMBER 5
- NUMBER 7 & 11
- NUMBER 9
- DEVELOPING POSITIONAL STRUCTURE - WEEKS 1-5
- DEVELOPING POSITIONAL STRUCTURE - WEEKS 6-10
- DEVELOPING POSITIONAL STRUCTURE - WEEK 11 ONWARDS
- SET PIECES
- EXAMPLE KICK-OFF ROUTINE IN 5v5 (0:15)
- EXAMPLE GOALKICK ROUTINE IN 5v5 (0:14)
- EXAMPLE ATTACKING CORNER KICK ROUTINE IN 5v5 (0:15)
- END OF MODULE 4 TASK - NUMBERS AND SPACES
- THE MOMENTS THAT DECIDE THE GAME
- MODULE OVERVIEW
- TRANSITIONS
- THE ART OF 1v1
- WHEN & WHERE 1v1s COMMONLY OCCUR
- KEY ATTACKING PRINCIPLES IN 1v1s
- KEY DEFENDING PRINCIPLES IN 1v1s
- EXAMPLE PRACTICE 1v1
- THE ART OF 2v1
- OVERLOADS
- UNDERLOADS
- KEY ATTACKING ELEMENTS IN 2v1s
- KEY DEFENDING ELEMENTS IN 2v1s
- DECISION-MAKING FOR ATTACKERS IN 2v1s
- DECISION-MAKING FOR DEFENDERS IN 2v1s
- 2v1 MOVEMENT SCENARIO - OVERLAP FROM BEHIND
- 2v1 MOVEMENT SCENARIO - MOVEMENT FROM THE SIDE
- 2v1 MOVEMENT SCENARIO - MOVEMENT FROM IN FRONT
- EXAMPLE PRACTICE 2V1
- THE ART OF 3V2
- KEY ATTACKING ELEMENTS IN 3V2
- KEY DEFENDING ELEMENTS IN 3V2
- DECISION-MAKING FOR ATTACKERS IN 3v2s
- DECISION-MAKING FOR DEFENDERS IN 3v2s
- EXAMPLE PRACTICE 3v2
- END OF MODULE 5 TASK - DUELS, DECISIONS & OVERLOADS
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