Futsal Keep-Away 4-on-4 Plus a Neutral
A keep-away game in a 20 x 20 meter grid: two teams of four plus one neutral who always plays with the team in possession. Students work on supporting at angles, spreading wide, first touch into space and pressing right after losing the ball.
How to play
- Use cones to mark three 20 x 20 meter grids. In each one, two teams of 4 in pinnies play with a neutral in a different color; any extra student becomes a second neutral (3 min).
- The team with the ball tries to complete 6 passes in a row with help from the neutral (5-on-4); each set of 6 passes scores 1 point.
- When the defending team wins the ball, they become the team in possession and the neutral plays with them. After losing it, a team tries to win it back within 5 seconds.
- Play 3-minute rounds with 1 minute of active rest juggling the ball; change the neutral after each round (4 rounds, 15 min).
- At the end, ask which body position makes it easier to receive and play to the other side.
Rules
- The neutral has a two-touch limit and cannot pass back to the player who passed to them.
- If the ball leaves the grid, the other team restarts with a kick-in.
- Defend on your feet, no slide tackles or grabbing.
- No passes to a player closer than 3 yards, to force teams to spread out.
Variations
Easier
Play with two neutrals, and 4 passes in a row are enough to score.
Standard
4-on-4 plus one neutral, 6 passes to score.
Harder
Everyone plays two-touch, and there is no neutral while a team is ahead by 2 points.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: play as a fixed neutral in one corner of the grid, using one touch or their hands.
- Students who are deaf or hard of hearing: signal the end of each round by raising your arms and showing a pinnie.
- Lower fitness levels: enlarge the grid and let them rest as the neutral more often.
Learning goals
- Offer support at angles to receive without pressure.
- Take a first touch into open space.
- Press as a team right after losing the ball.
Equipment for a class of 25
- futsal balls: 3
- pinnies: 27
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
If the team bunches up, call "big square": one player on each side. The active rest keeps intensity from dropping off all at once.
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