Up and Down the River Soccer 3v3
A tournament of short 3v3 games on four mini fields with small goals. After each game the winners move up a field and the losers move down, so everyone ends up playing teams of a similar level and no one is ever knocked out.
How to play
- Set up 4 mini fields of 20 x 12 yards in a row, numbered 1 to 4, each with two small goals; Field 1 is the Champions Field.
- Make 8 teams of 3 with pinnies (one team of 4 rotates a player out each game) and place two teams on each field at random.
- Play 3-minute games with no goalies; a goal only counts if it is shot from the opponent's half.
- On the whistle, winners move up one field toward Field 1 and losers move down toward Field 4; ties are settled by the captains with rock-paper-scissors.
- Winners on Field 1 and losers on Field 4 stay put, so every team always faces a new opponent.
- Play 5 rounds with 1 minute to change fields and finish by checking which team climbed the most fields from where it started.
Rules
- Out-of-bounds restarts are a pass with the foot from the line, with opponents 2 yards back.
- No one may defend within 2 yards of their own goal.
- Each team referees its own game and admits fouls by raising a hand.
- When changing fields, walk around the outside and never cut through a live game.
Variations
Easier
Use wider cone goals and let players score from anywhere.
Standard
Play 3-minute games with small goals and shots only from the opponent's half.
Harder
A goal only counts if all three attackers touched the ball during the play.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: that student's team plays with a larger foam ball and no one may take the ball from them within 3 feet.
- Autism or shyness: keep teams the same for the whole tournament so only the field and opponent change, and announce each rotation ahead of time.
- Skill level: Field 1 plays two-touch and Field 4 plays unlimited touches, so the challenge adjusts automatically.
Learning goals
- Use dribbling, passing, and shooting at small goals in real game play.
- Organize offense and defense with only three players.
- Accept results and change fields with good sportsmanship.
Equipment for a class of 25
- small goals: 8
- cones: 16
- pinnies: 12
- soccer balls: 6
Teacher tip
Stand in the middle of the four fields so you can see them all, and use a loud whistle. The goal is balanced games, so also praise teams that hold their field.
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