Coaching Resources for Small-Sided Games | MatchPlay Cards

For coaches, from grassroots to academy

Game-Based Coaching Cards for Small-Sided Games

Pick a card, add it to your game and watch players think, talk and solve problems for
themselves. Better sessions with less planning, used by Premier League academies and thousands of
grassroots coaches.

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Used by coaches at West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Rangers, England Hockey and Rugby Australia.

You Don't Need More Drills. You Need Better Games.

Players want to play, and games are where they learn to read situations, make decisions and communicate under pressure. The hard part is making every game purposeful without spending your evenings planning. MatchPlay Cards give you ready-made team and player challenges that add purpose to any small-sided game in seconds.

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How to Use MatchPlay Cards in Your Training Sessions

1

Pick them

Choose a card that matches your session theme, whether that's keeping possession, switching play or defending as a unit.

2

Add them

Give a challenge to a whole team or to one player. Keep it secret or tell everyone.

3

Play them

Let the game flow. Players solve the problem, and you coach the moments that
matter.

What Changes When You Add a Card?

Every player switched on.

One simple challenge lifts the energy instantly and keeps sessions competitive without extra planning.

Watch players solve it themselvES.

They discover answers instead of being told, and build confidence
in their own decisions.

Mistakes become learning wins.

Real game moments help players adapt, experiment and grow their understanding while they play.

Every skill level challenged.

Player cards stretch your strongest and support the rest, all in the
same game.

Hey Coach! This is what you've been looking for...

Coaching Cards for Every Sport and Age Group

Our OG Cards!

MatchPlay Cards

Write a short description for this product.Multi-sport challenges for football, hockey, rugby, basketball and any invasion game.

£30.00 GBP

Netball like never before

Netball MatchPlay Cards

Team, player and coach challenges built for the court.

£30.00 GBP

Shake up footy training

Footy MatchPlay Cards

Created with senior AFL coaches to build game sense and decision-making.

£30.00 GBP

Perfect for ages 5-10

Animal MatchPlay Cards

Playful movement challenges for players aged 5 to 10.

£30.00 GBP

Get players thinking

Reflection MatchPlay Cards

Questions that get players reviewing their own game and owning their learning.

£30.00 GBP

Sport links

Coaching a Specific Sport?

See how coaches use MatchPlay Cards in your sport, with game ideas and session examples.

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How West Ham United Use MatchPlay Cards in Their Academy

"They have been really interesting for us because as a tool they provide a real stimulus for players. A normal game isn't a normal game with MatchPlay Cards, suddenly you add the cards and they are being challenged in different ways, whether that be individual or team challenge.

Sometimes we give a player a MatchPlay Card© for a block period of time to e"They provide a real stimulus for players. A normal game isn't a normal game with MatchPlay
Cards. Suddenly you add the cards and they are being challenged in different ways, whether that be
an individual or team challenge. The job of the coach is to create problems, and MatchPlay Cards
enable you to do that."xplore that challenge. The job of the coach is to create a problems and MatchPlay Cards© enable you to do that.”

Ross Brooks, Foundation Phase Lead, West Ham United

Read the full story

Developing a Team of Coaches? Meet Coach Challenge MatchPlay Cards

Built for Heads of Coaching, coach developers and academy leads. Use them to run high-impact
workshops, structure mentoring conversations and create a shared coaching language across your
programme. These aren't activities for players. They're challenges that change how your coaches
think and act.

Explore Coach Challenge Cards

Trusted by Coaches From Grassroots to Premier League Academies

"A must have for every coach!"

Improved communication

"We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability."

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

"The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches."

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

"We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads."

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

"I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety "

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Facilitate the problem solving

"A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them."

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

"We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability."

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

"The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches."

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

"We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads."

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

"I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety "

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Facilitate the problem solving

"A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them."

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

"We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability."

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

"The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches."

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

"We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads."

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

"I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety "

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Facilitate the problem solving

"A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them."

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

"We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability."

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

"The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches."

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

"We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads."

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

"I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety "

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Facilitate the problem solving

"A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them."

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

"We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability."

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

"The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches."

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

"We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads."

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

"I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety "

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Facilitate the problem solving

"A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them."

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Improved communication

"We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability." "We use them with our U18s to develop their communication and adaptability."

Liverpool Football Club

LOVE THEM!

"The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches." "The girls love them. They're a great stimulus for conversation between players and coaches."

Rugby Australia

Different problems to solve

"We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads." "We give players different problems to solve and make things chaotic with underloads and overloads."

John Lawson, Rangers FC

Really effective

"I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety " "I'm a big advocate of MatchPlay Cards they a really effective and visual aid to support players to i"They're a really effective visual aid that helps players interact and gives them variety."nteract, it gives them variety "

Paul Barry, Crystal Palace FC, Assistant Head of Coaching

Facilitate the problem solving

"A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them." "A huge part of my journey was learning I can facilitate the problem-solving instead of doing it for them."

Alan Good, Liberty Field Hockey, USA

Who it's for

Built for Real Coaching Conditions

Volunteer and part-time coaches: Great sessions without hours of planning.
Mixed-ability and mixed-age squads: Give every player the right level of challenge in the same game.
Clubs with limited time and resources: One deck in a kit bag gives you endless game variations.
Academy and performance coaches: Create game-realistic problems that transfer to match day.

Made from waterproof credit-card plastic, because we know what training nights are like.

MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP

Reflection MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP

Netball MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP

Animal MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP

Footy MatchPlay Cards

£30.00 GBP

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Coaching FAQs

Which sports do MatchPlay Cards work with?

The original deck works in any invasion game, including football, hockey, rugby, basketball, netball and AFL. Netball and footy also have their own decks.

What ages are they for?

From age 5 up to senior and academy players. Animal MatchPlay Cards are built for ages 5 to 10.

Do I need to plan sessions around them?

No. Play your usual small-sided games and add acard. Most coaches are using them in their first session.

Can I use them in drills as well as games?

Yes. Adding a challenge to a drill makes it more game-like and gets players thinking.

Can you train our whole coaching team?

Yes. We run coach development workshops in person and online, and supply clubs at volume pricing.