Three-team keep-away soccer drill
Three-team keep-away is a possession game in which two teams join forces to keep the ball away from a third team, and the team that gives the ball away becomes the defenders. It trains passing under pressure, spreading out to use the whole area, and reacting quickly when the ball is lost.
Soccer is called football in most of the world. This guide is part of Futbol Island’s free football lessons for kids aged 7 to 12.
Three-team keep-away: setup diagram
At a glance
| Detail | For this drill |
|---|---|
| Ages | U10 to U12 (ages 9 to 12) |
| Players | 9 to 15, in three teams of 3 to 5 |
| Space | 30 x 25 yd (27 x 23 m) |
| Equipment | One ball, spare balls nearby; bibs in two colors; cones |
| Time | 12 to 15 minutes, in games of three minutes |
| Skill | Passing and receiving |
Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.
How to run it
- Make three teams in three colors. Two teams keep the ball together, and the third team defends.
- When a defender wins the ball or it goes out, the team that lost it becomes the defenders at once. The coach plays in a new ball if needed.
- Three touches at most to begin with.
- Eight passes in a row is a goal for both attacking teams.
- Play three-minute games with a water break between them.
Coaching points to say out loud
- “Make the area big.”
- “Lost it? React.”
- “Play away from pressure.”
- “Know your next pass.”
Make it easier or harder
Easier
Make the area bigger or let the defenders be a team of two.
Harder
Two touches, or a goal only counts if the ball goes from one side of the area to the other during the passes.
Common mistakes
- Everyone drifting toward the ball. Players on the far side must stay wide so the ball can be switched.
- Arguing about who lost the ball. The coach decides quickly and the game goes on.
- Slow changes: the new defenders walk. The first three seconds after losing the ball matter most.
Why it matters in a game
A game changes from attack to defense in a moment. This drill puts that moment into every minute, and our lessons on switching play and on what to do after losing the ball explain the two halves of it.
The lesson that teaches it: Find the Other Side.
Questions about Three-team keep-away
How do you play three-team keep-away?
Two teams pass to each other and the third team tries to win the ball. Whichever team loses the ball becomes the new defenders straight away.
How many players do I need?
Nine is the fewest, in three teams of three. It works well up to fifteen. With more, set up two areas.
What does it teach that a rondo does not?
Transition. In a rondo the roles are fixed for a minute. Here they change every time the ball is lost, so players must react.
Lessons that teach this idea
- Find the Other Side (9v9 lesson)Move the ball through support when the nearby routes close.
- Lost It? Protect the Middle (7v7 lesson)After losing the ball, protect a route to goal; approach when a teammate can cover.
- Win It: Look, Then Choose (9v9 lesson)After gaining possession, use a clear forward advantage or secure the ball.
- Make Room for Your Team (7v7 lesson)Spread into useful space so the player on the ball has another route.
Related drills and guides
- Rondo 4v2 (drill)It trains the attackers to find the pass between the two defenders, and the defenders to press and cover as a pair.
- Rondo 3v1 (drill)It trains quick passing, support on both sides of the ball and a first touch away from pressure.
- End zone game (drill)It trains forward passing and the timing of runs into space behind the defense.
- Four-goal game (drill)It trains switching play: when one goal is crowded, the team moves the ball to the open one.
- Switching play (soccer term)Moving the ball to the empty side
- Pressing (soccer term)Closing down the player on the ball
- 9v9 soccer formationsShapes for U11 and U12 teams
- U10 soccer drills for 9 and 10 year oldsTen drills for 9 and 10 year olds: rondos, first touch, 2v1 and first goalkeeping
- U12 soccer drills for 11 and 12 year oldsTen drills for 11 and 12 year olds: 4v2 rondos, possession, defending in pairs and finishing
- Soccer passing drills for kidsPassing drills in teaching order: pairs, triangles, give-and-go and rondos
- U12 soccer practice plan: passing and possessionA 75-minute plan that uses this drill
- All passing and receiving drillsPassing to a teammate, then moving to help again.
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12. Every idea on this page is taught on a pitch with moving players, then checked with a quick quiz.