Steal the Bacon

1. Mark a pitch 15 metres wide and 20 metres long with a small goal at each end. Two teams of three or four stand on the two long sides, facing each other. Each team numbers its players from 1, so every number has one opponent across the pitch.
2. Each team attacks the goal on its left as it faces the pitch. The coach stands at one end with a supply of balls.
3. The coach calls a number and plays a ball into the middle. The two players with that number race out and play until one scores or the ball leaves the pitch. A goal is a point for the team.
4. Call one number for 1v1, two for 2v2, three for 3v3, and mix them. When the ball is dead, the players jog back to their places and the coach calls again straight away with a new ball.
5. Keep teams to four at most so nobody waits more than a few seconds. With more than eight players, run a second pitch alongside.

The decision comes before the first touch. Running in, each player reads the race: if I get there first, I attack; if my opponent will, I stop short and get between them and my goal instead of diving in. With the ball, it is shoot early or take the defender on. When two or three numbers are called, the player on the ball chooses between dribbling and passing, and the others choose between offering support and getting back to defend.