A common problem that many soccer coaches will face is having uneven numbers for their activities and games, this requires them to think fast and be able to adapt the activity or games they are going to run so that all players still get to participate and are not left sitting out: Below are 6 solutions you can use when you dont have the perfect numbers for your activity.
Neutral Player
Odd Player Becomes a Neutral Player. The odd player out could act as a neutral player who plays for whichever team has possession of the ball. This adds a unique strategic element to the game and ensures that everyone is actively involved.
Rotational Partner
Have one player act as a “rotating” partner, who switches teams or partners every round. This can be a good way to keep everyone involved, while also mixing up the teams a bit.
Coach Participation
If you have an uneven number of players, the coach could participate to even out the numbers. This can also provide a good opportunity for the coach to model skills and strategies for the players.
Substitute Role
The odd player out could act as a substitute, rotating in and out of the game at regular intervals. This not only keeps all players involved, but also ensures that everyone gets regular breaks.
Goalkeeper Rotation
Goalkeeper Rotation. If the activity involves goalkeeping, the extra player could rotate in as a goalkeeper for each team. This way, all players get to participate and the role of goalkeeper is shared evenly.
Switch Activity
If the uneven number continues to be an issue, the coach can opt for group activities or games, where the exact number of players is less crucial.
Uneven Numbers For Matches
Similar to having uneven or imperfect numbers for an activity the same applies to trying to organize games. Below we have given you 7 solutions you can use when you have an imperfect number of players for a game. These examples were created with have 11 players attend when you wanted to play a 5v5 match. Click on the cards to see the explanation on the back.
Make One Player An On-field Neutral
The extra player could act as a neutral player, playing with the team that is in possession of the ball. This can provide an interesting dynamic as both teams can take advantage of the extra player when they have the ball.
Rotate After Every Goal
Rotate a player in and out of the game every time a goal is scored. This gives everyone a chance to rest and everyone a chance to play, while still keeping the teams even for the most part.
Sideline Neutral
Similar to the on-field neutral, the extra player could be a sideline neutral, who plays for whichever team has the ball but only from the sidelines. They could act as a “wide receiver” providing passing options and cross opportunities.
Coach Participation
If the skill levels are appropriate, the coach could participate in the game to even out the numbers. This can provide a good opportunity for the coach to model skills and strategies for the players.
Three Teams – Winner Stays On
Form three teams (e.g., two teams of 4 players and one team of 3 players) and play a mini-tournament where the winning team stays on the field while the losing team rotates out. This can be a fun and competitive way to handle extra players while also giving everyone plenty of playing time.
Rolling Substitution System
Use one player as a substitute. After a predetermined interval (say every 3 minutes, or after every goal), the substitute player comes onto the field and replaces a player from one of the teams. The replaced player then becomes the substitute. This cycle continues, with the substitute always replacing a different player
Extra Player on Weaker Team
Form three teams (e.g., two teams of 4 players and one team of 3 players) and play a mini-tournament where the winning team stays on the field while the losing team rotates out. This can be a fun and competitive way to handle extra players while also giving everyone plenty of playing time.
What To Do With 9 Players
If you have space and equipment available you can come up with lots of different options to manage imperfect numbers by using any of the above suggested solutions or combining different solutions below is an example of the different variations you could do if you had 9 players.
4v5
Uneven numbers balance the teams. Create two 4v4 teams then add the extra player to the weaker team. Rotate the extra player if the score becomes uneven
4v4 + Neutral
Team in possession gets the neutral player on their team. You can also flip this so the team without the ball gets the neutral as an extra defender.
4 + Keeper v 4
The team with the keeper should play with a larger goal if possible. If not you can rotate which team the keeper goes on after every two goals or set time.
4v4 + Sideline Neutral
Team in possession can use the sideline neutral as an extra player. Add a condition that they must use that player before scoring
3v3 Kings Court
3 teams of 3 teams play for a set period of time and then the resting teams plays or until a goal is scored whichever comes first.
3v3 + Sideline & Onfield Neutral
3 teams of 3 teams play for a set period of time and then the resting teams plays or until a goal is scored whichever comes first.
Two Games Of 2v2 + Dual Sideline Bumper
Two games of 2v2 with the extra player positioned between the two fields playing as a sideline bumper in both games.
