3V3 EUROPE - IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN DOING SO!

For the last decade here at Bazooka Goal, we have strived to make sure that no one is left without a match of football whenever, wherever.

We are so dedicated in fact, that we have launched a series of 3v3 tournaments for children throughout Europe. Whether you are in Norway, the UK or Germany; we will help you and yours be able to organize and compete at the highest level for 3v3 tournaments.

There are numerous benefits to playing 3v3 games, especially when you start out at a young age. Small-sided games such as these allow the players to develop quicker by allowing for more small touches, increased speed of decision-making as well as skills and positional development.

Improving upon full-sided matches is the main goal with 3v3 matches by compartmentalizing the pitch into smaller sections. Think a club like Barcelona and their ‘ticky-taka’ style of football. If you watch their training sessions, you’ll notice that they break the pitch down into segments and it’s within these segments of the pitch that the game itself is broken down.

3v3 matches are essential for developing the technical attributes, tactical knowledge, creativity as well as the physical conditioning that is necessary in football through small-sided movement.

But look, when it comes to 3v3 matches and children especially, the most important aspect is that everyone is having fun! The 3v3 format is very fun for children of younger ages because it presents all of the players involved with more opportunities to pass, get touches and of course to score.

All of this goes a long way to increasing the enjoyment of each match, while simultaneously boosting the confidence of each player. The more confidence and fun someone is having, the more likely they are to get stuck into a match!

While each player is different in their developmental journey, there are a few things that are sure to rub off on each player, regardless of talent level or physical ability:

• - Ball skills & control
• - Passing creativity
• - Spacing awareness
• - Transitional skills between offense and defense
• - Improve 1-on-1 match-ups (both defensive and offensive)
• - Engage in 2-on-1 breakaway opportunities 
• - Learn how to defend against counterattacks

You can see from the list above that the opportunities presented within any sort of 3v3 style of play will help improve almost every facet of your game. While attacking situations slightly outweigh the defensive, there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to improve both sides of your game.

Still not convinced? No problem, let’s take a deeper look at some more of the benefits that 3v3 style matches brings to the table:

• Scoring - Let’s get the first and most obvious one out of the way first. It’s no secret that the best feeling you can have within a match of football is seeing that net ripple. Scoring is the most exciting aspect to any match for any age group, but even more so for kids. Statistics tell us that within any 3v3 match, the average number of goals scored is 1 goal every 2 minutes. That’s a lot of goals and it will serve as an important point for any 3v3 match.

• Awareness - Being on your toes is important in any game you play. Heck, being on your toes is important for any aspect of life! This is especially true in 3v3 play, where there are quick restarts and a continuous, open flow to the game which requires the players to remain glued to the action at all times. There is no time for dithering or letting your guard down. With only 3 players total on your team, you will at all times either be the last or second-to-last defender or the first or second player on attack, keeping you engaged throughout the course of the match.

• Understanding/knowledge - When a team is restricted to only 3 players on the pitch at one time, this scenario leads to the need of understanding positioning and spacing. As mentioned above with awarness, being engaged at all times is important. But understanding where you need to be and when is just as if not more important. This type of match requires players to form triangles, which allows players to make give-and-gos, wall passes as well as through balls. Learning and understanding how to play in close spaces will bring to light the options the offensive player with the ball has (of which there are 4); the player on the ball has the option of two different players to pass to, to dribble into the space provided or to have a shot on goal.

• Touches - Statistics have shown that in any given 20-minute 3v3 match, the average player will touch the ball roughly once every 15 seconds (which is an average of 80 touches per match). In comparison, during the course of a regular 90-minute match on a full-sized pitch, a player will average between 30 and 40 touches. It’s moments such as these that the real value of 3v3 matches is shown. Players are not only doubling the amount of touches they receive in less than a quarter of the time, they are doing so in constantly pressured situations while needing to be alert and thinking 2-3 moves ahead. To put it into perspective, it would take an entire season of full-sided matches to come close to replicating this level of numbers.

• Speed of play - Because of the small space provided for the pitch, the likelihood of having time on the ball is small. As a result, players are constantly under pressure by opponents, which requires the players to move at a speed that they might not usually be comfortable with. This leads to an increase in the speed at which players perceive, react and execute during the passage of play.

• Accountability - Anyone that is competitive will understand the challenges that are presented in a 3v3 match. These challenges are what will help you improve as a player. But one thing that is for sure when playing 3v3 is there is nowhere to hide when you only have two other teammates. You must be held accountable for all things on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Getting back on defense after you’ve put a shot wide is your responsibility. Making runs, finding the correct pass, taking the shot when it’s on and getting back to defend your goal are all things you must take upon yourself to do for the betterment of the team.

• Support - Although there are only three players total on your team, the limited space provided forces you and your teammates to provide better lanes for passing for each other, making runs to pull off defenders and communicating through words and body language are all important. In 3v3 you feel like you can take on more responsibility because you get more touches, but it’s essential to understand how to use your teammates to the best of your ability, knowing that you will constantly have support on both sides of the pitch.

Now that it’s abundantly clear how and why 3v3 football is so important, the next step is getting involved! Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.