Game State Scrimmage

Rehearse the decisions each game state demands, from killing a game to chasing one, so players recognize the situation in a real game and know the plan.

Two teams of 8 or 9 plus keepers on a 60x80 yard field. A whiteboard on the sideline shows the score and time before each scenario. A stopwatch runs down visibly.

1. Scenario 1, 'Protect': Team A leads 1-0 with 5 minutes left. Team A wins if they hold; Team B wins with an equalizer. Team A's rules: no risk in their own half, keep the ball in the corners when possible.
2. Scenario 2, 'Chase': Team B is down 0-1 with 8 minutes left and must press high and play forward. Team A tries to counter.
3. Scenario 3, 'Man down': Team A plays with one fewer for 6 minutes, level score. They must drop into a compact block and stay in the game.
4. Scenario 4, 'Restart': the game restarts from a kickoff after conceding, 4 minutes left, level. Both teams try to score first.
5. Debrief for 2 minutes after each scenario: what was the plan, and did we follow it?

• Know the state: look at the board before every restart.
• Protecting: keep the ball, take it to the corner, no fouls near the box.
• Chasing: forward first, shots from anywhere, win the second ball.
• Man down: narrow, compact, and patient; the ball does the running.

• The leading team keeps attacking and concedes; the plan for 'Protect' must be understood before the ball is kicked.
• The chasing team lumps long balls without support; forward means forward together, not hopeful.
• The debrief is skipped to save time; the debrief is the drill.

• Add a referee who makes one bad call per scenario to test composure.
• Play scenario 2 with a 3-minute clock.
• Let the captains set the plan without the coach.

• Extend each scenario clock by 2 minutes.
• Coach calls the plan aloud during play.
• Play 7v7 on a smaller field.

• Each scenario has its own rules, stated on the board before the kickoff.