Nine-Square Grid: Fill the Space Without Doubling Up

A 6v6 game on a field split into a grid of three lanes and three thirds, where the team in possession cannot have two players in the same square or more than three in the same lane. The rule forces players to stagger, build triangles and understand positional play.

How to play

1. Mark a 40 x 30 m field with two small goals and divide it into nine squares with cones (4 min).
2. Explain the spacing rule and name an observer for each team who calls out doubled-up squares (2 min).
3. Game 1: if the attacking team has two players in one square when a pass is made, the ball goes to the other team (7 min).
4. Stop: each team photographs or draws its shape in one attack and finds the passing triangles (4 min).
5. Game 2: a goal counts double if the ball went through all three lanes during the move (6 min).
6. Wrap-up: observers report how many times each team doubled up (2 min).

Rules

• The spacing rule applies only to the attacking team; the defending team moves freely.
• No goalkeepers: small goals avoid hard shots at close range.
• No tackles from behind or slide tackles.
• The observer role rotates every game.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: holds a fixed square in the last third as a target player, and the team must use them to advance.
• Autism: each lane is marked with a different color so the spatial reference is clear.
• Knee injury in recovery: acts as observer and has the final say on doubled-up squares.

Learning goals

• Spread out sensibly in attack.
• Form triangles and staggered passing lanes.
• Analyze the team's own shape during play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 32
• pinnies: 14
• balls: 4

Teacher tip

Use different colored cones for the lines between squares; if the lines are hard to see, the rule turns into arguments.

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