100 Small Sided Games Football PDF: The Ultimate Coaching Collection (Free Download)
Every coach knows the feeling: You arrive at training, you have an odd number of players, and you need a high-intensity session that works on fitness, technique, and tactics simultaneously. You don’t need lines of players standing around. You need 100 Small Sided Games (SSGs).
📂 Resource Overview: 100 SSG PDF
| Resource Name: | 100 Small Sided Games |
| Author: | Coach Dan Wright |
| Format: | Printable PDF (eBook) |
| Total Drills: | 100 Unique Sessions |
| Age Suitability: | U9 to Senior / Adult |
| Main Topics: | Possession, Defending, Transition, Finishing |
| Price: | Free Download |
The Ultimate Coaching Resource: 100 Small Sided Games PDF
We are proud to share an incredible resource created by Coach Dan Wright (coachdanwright.com). This 100 Small Sided Games Football PDF is a massive library of high-tempo drills designed to be printed and kept in your coaching bag. It covers every phase of the game, ensuring you never run out of session ideas.
📥 DOWNLOAD THE 100 GAMES PDF HERE
What Is Inside the Booklet? (Detailed Contents)
This isn’t just a random collection of drills. Coach Wright has broken the game down into specific tactical phases. Whether you are fixing a leaky defense or trying to score more goals, there is a specific game here for you.
Here is the full breakdown of the categories included in this download:
1. Building From The Back (Pages 60-67)
Teach your team how to play out of pressure without panicking. This section focuses on using the Goalkeeper and Holding Midfielder to break the first line of defense.
- Building From The Back (Page 60)
- When To Play Forwards (Page 61)
- Goalkeepers: Hands or Feet? (Page 63)
- 3v3 High Press (Page 66)
2. Switching Play (Pages 68-80)
If you play narrow, you get suffocated. These games teach players to move the opponent from side to side to create gaps.
- Playing With Width (Page 68)
- The Four Goal Game (Page 70): This is essential for teaching width. (See our deep dive on this specific concept here: The 4-Goal Width Game).
- Half Pitch Switch (Page 75)
- Octagon Switching Play (Page 77)
3. Combination & Movement (Pages 81-111)
This is the heart of the “Beautiful Game.” These sessions focus on “Third Man Runs,” midfield rotation, and breaking lines with quick passing.
- Third Man Run (Page 84)
- The Transfer Game (Page 86)
- Midfield Rotation (Page 89)
- Messy Football (Page 96): A chaotic reaction game.
- Counter-Attack With Lazy Wingers (Page 108)
4. Finishing (Pages 112-129)
Tactics are useless if you can’t put the ball in the net. These high-repetition games focus on scoring under pressure and individual dominance.
- Fox in the Box (Page 116)
- 1v1 Knockout (Page 118): A high-intensity duel. (Check out our own guide on running a 1v1 Tournament).
- Turn and Burn (Page 119)
- Wide Breakout (Page 126): Perfect for teaching crossing. (Learn more about Attacking the Wide Channels).
5. Defending (Pages 130-145)
Defense isn’t about tackling; it’s about controlling space. These drills teach compactness, pressing triggers, and recovering the ball.
- Simeone Defending Game (Page 133): Based on the Atletico Madrid style of play.
- Slide And Screen (Page 135): Teaches the back four to move together. (Master this with our Defensive Block Drill).
- Defending Outnumbered (Page 137)
- Counter Press: 4v2 To 4v6 (Page 145)
6. Scenarios! (Pages 146-160)
Sometimes you need to inject fun or specific match situations into training to build psychological resilience.
- Champion Trainer (Page 146)
- Promotion and Relegation (Page 148)
- Two Nil Up or Two Nil Down? (Page 153)
- Bias Ref (Page 157): A great game to teach players to stay focused even when decisions go against them.
Why Use the “Small Sided Games” Methodology?
If you are still running laps or doing static line drills, you are falling behind. Here is why top coaches use the methodology found in this PDF:
- More Touches: In an 11v11 game, a player might touch the ball 20 times. In a 4v4, they will touch it 80+ times.
- Football Fitness: Sprinting, turning, and stopping is far superior to long-distance running.
- Game Intelligence: The spaces are smaller, meaning players have less time to think. This forces them to make faster decisions.
How to Use This PDF
- Download the file above.
- Print the specific pages you need for this week’s topic (e.g., if your team struggled with defending last week, print pages 130-135).
- Laminate the sheets to protect them from the rain.
- Credit the Creator: Huge thanks to Coach Dan Wright for publishing this resource. Be sure to check out his website at coachdanwright.com for more elite coaching content.
How to Plan a Training Session Using This PDF
How to Plan a Training Session Using This PDF
Step 1: Identify Your Session Topic Before opening the PDF, decide what your team needs to improve. Are they struggling to play out from the back? Or are they failing to convert chances in the final third?
Step 2: Select a “Main Theme” from the Contents Open the PDF to the Table of Contents. Choose the section that matches your goal.
For possession issues, go to “Combination & Movement” (Page 81).
For defensive structure, go to “Defending” (Page 130).
Step 3: Choose Your Drills Select 2-3 games from that section.
Warm-up: Pick a simple technical game (e.g., “Pass and Join” on Page 65).
Main Activity: Pick a complex tactical game (e.g., “The Four Goal Game” on Page 70).
Step 4: Adapt the Grid Size The PDF provides standard grid sizes, but you should adjust them based on your players’ age. Make the grid smaller for elite players (to increase speed of thought) or larger for younger players (to give them more time).
Step 5: Print and Laminate Print the specific pages you selected. Laminating them allows you to take them onto the grass even in wet weather, ensuring you always have your session plan at hand.
Common Questions About the Small Sided Games PDF
What is inside the Dan Wright Small Sided Games PDF?
This booklet contains 100 specific football drills categorized into six main phases of play: Building From The Back, Switching Play, Combination & Movement, Finishing, Defending, and Match Scenarios.
Why are Small Sided Games (SSG) better than static drills?
Scientific research in football coaching shows that players in Small Sided Games (like 4v4 or 6v6) touch the ball 300% more often than in full-field scrimmages. This leads to faster technical improvement and better football-specific fitness.
What age groups are these drills suitable for?
These games are “universal frameworks.” While the intensity is designed for academy and senior football, the drills can easily be adapted for U10 and U12 players by increasing the grid size or removing touch restrictions.
Is this PDF really free?
Yes. This is a widely shared educational resource created by Coach Dan Wright to help the coaching community improve their session design. You can download it directly from the link above.
