Cochrane Minor Soccer is offering a fun tournament this Saturday that just might help burn off that extra energy your children may have built up over the Christmas break.

The fun and fast-paced game of one-goal turnaround is being played during the Jan. 6 Winter 3v3 Tournament of the Cochrane Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) at the SLS Family Sports Centre. It's open to U8+ players and any skill level is welcome to play. It runs from 11:30 to 1 p.m.

The tourney is being hosted by CMSA technical director John Castrillon, who offers a similar and highly successful weekly 3v3 tournament for high level players in Calgary.

"This is a sampling of that competition, to bring the exciting game of 3v3 one-goal-turnaround to Cochrane and the surrounding area," explains Rhonda Carr, tiered league play coordinator. "It is a game that our players of all ages here at Cochrane Minor Soccer (CMS) are very familiar with, as they play it almost every practice."

The tournament is open for those of any skill level is welcome. Participants can register as individuals and teams of three are created and pinnied to balance the teams as closely as possible The indoor turf is divided into two smaller fields with two games running simultaneously.

In 3v3, team plays back and forth on a field until scored upon. When they score a goal they immediately turn around and start attacking the opposite end. The waiting teams are on the side line and when a team is scored upon the next team has to rush out to start defending that net... so everyone is always engaged in the game with the waiting teams having to keep an eye on both and to be ready to jump into a game upon a goal.

"It is fast paced, fun and 2 hours goes by so quick," says Carr.

 Castrillon throws in some twists to keep the game interesting for participants.

"John likes to throw variable into the game, like the size of ball, futsal or traditional ball, and we mix up net sizes. Sometimes a goalie is guarding a net; sometimes two small nets separated. It keeps it fresh, challenging and helps our players continue to develop their keen soccer sense."

Registration is $15 per person and you register as an individual here.

Cochrane Minor Soccer hosts its own 3v3 alternating Fridays as well, 5-7 p.m. beginning again on Jan. 12.