Score and Keep 7v7
A 7v7 where the scoring team is rewarded with the ball from the restart — so the team that concedes must press immediately or chase the game.
Theme
Small Sided Game
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
25 min
Players (min–rec–max)
12–14–16
Area
44 × 60 yards
Session phase
Ssg
Age groups
U12, U13, U14, U15
Equipment
2 goals, cones, balls, 2 colours of bibs
Objective
Flip the usual restart logic to train two match habits at once: the scoring team learns to manage momentum with the ball, and the conceding team learns to respond with an immediate, organised press instead of a sulk.
Set-up
60x44 pitch, a goal and GK at each end, 6v6 outfield. Stack spare balls in both goals so every restart is instant. Explain the twist clearly before kick-off: there is no 'bounce back' — when you score, you also get the ball.
How it runs
- Normal 7v7 rules, except after a goal the SCORING team restarts with the ball from their own GK.
- The conceding team must press the restart immediately — there is no free kick-off to settle them.
- If the scoring team keeps the ball for 10 passes after their restart, the goal upgrades to 2 points.
- If the conceding team wins the ball inside 20 seconds of the restart, they earn 1 point even without scoring.
- Play 3 x 6-minute games; losers of each game pick the press trigger for the next (GK's first pass, any backwards pass, etc.).
Coaching points
- Concede, then sprint — the response is the first three seconds.
- Press as a team: front player steers, the rest shift behind him.
- Scoring team: spread immediately — your reward is only real if you keep it.
- Heads up on the restart: the press is coming, know your first pass early.
Common mistakes
- The conceding team trudges back for a kick-off that isn't coming — rehearse the restart once at walking pace so the rule is understood in the legs.
- The scoring team celebrates, then panics and lumps the restart long — remind them the ball is the prize; build calmly from the GK.
- One player presses alone while six watch — freeze it and connect the second and third pressers to the first.
Progressions
- Raise the keep-ball reward to 15 passes.
- Limit the scoring team to two touches after their restart.
- Make the conceding team's point require a shot, not just a turnover.
Regressions
- Drop the pass-count rewards and keep only the restart twist.
- Give the scoring team a 5-second head start before the press may engage.
- Play 5v5 on a smaller pitch so the press has less ground to cover.
Constraints
- The scoring team keeps the ball at every restart — no bounce back.
- The conceding team scores a point by winning possession within 20 seconds of the restart.