6v5+GK Soccer Practice Session
Finding and Creating Openings in the Final Third
Master how to create openings and score in the final third with a 6v5+GK training session. Teach your players to recognize space, drag defenders, and play quickly to break down defenses.
Breaking through a compact defense in the final third is one of the toughest challenges in soccer. It takes more than just technical ability, players must learn how to read the game, move intelligently, and exploit even the smallest openings. In this blog, we’ll explore a dynamic 6v5+Goalkeeper practice session that helps players recognize when to go forward, when to take defenders on, and how to drag opponents out of position to create scoring chances.
Core Activity: 6v5 + Goalkeeper
Setup:
- Area: 30×25 yards in front of goal
- Teams: 6 attackers vs. 5 defenders + 1 goalkeeper
- Objective: Create and finish scoring opportunities through movement, speed, and clever positioning
Training Keywords:
- Opening
- Take him or her on the go!
- Drag and play
- Play forward
- Quick combinations
Coaching Question:
❓ “How can we find or create openings to play forward and score?”
Answer:
👉 “Drag the opponent out of their position and play quickly.”
Session Objectives:
- Create Overloads & Exploit Gaps
Players learn to create 2v1s or unbalance the defense by dragging a player wide or centrally. - Encourage 1v1 Initiative
Promote bravery and decision-making in 1v1 duels when there’s space to attack directly. - Speed of Play
Train players to recognize moments to accelerate the game with quick passing or movement. - Timing of Runs
Focus on off-the-ball movement to receive in pockets and behind the defensive line.
Key Coaching Points:
- Openings don’t just happen — they are created.
Teach players to make decoy runs or dribble at defenders to manipulate the shape of the defense. - Combination Play is Key.
One-twos, third-man runs, and wall passes can break down compact defenses. - When space opens — take them on.
Encourage confident 1v1 actions in moments when defenders are caught shifting or flat-footed. - Quick Decisions Lead to Goals.
The faster the ball moves after creating an opening, the more likely the chance becomes a goal.
Progressions
- Add conditions like “must complete 1 pass before scoring” to encourage combination play.
- Introduce a counterattack condition for defenders to sharpen attackers’ urgency.
- Allow floating players or neutral players to maintain numerical overloads.
Why This Drill Works
This 6v5+GK activity replicates the chaos and decision-making players face in the attacking third. It teaches them not only what to do but why and when to do it. Players become more instinctive, proactive, and dangerous near-goal.
Coach’s Corner
- Reward creativity and quick thinking.
- Coach the movements off the ball—not just the one with it.
- Ask questions during the session:
“What did you see?” → “Why did you pass instead of shoot?”
Build understanding, not just repetition.
