Touchline Tempos

Objective

• -Work the ball into wide areas
• -Change speed before crossing
• -Finish from varied deliveries

Setup

1. 1Set up a 45 x 30 yard pitch with a full-size goal at one end.
2. 2Mark a wide lane on each side using cones.
3. 3Split players into three groups: wide, central support and finishers.
4. 4Keep a supply of balls with the coach near halfway.

How to play

1. 1Play starts with a pass from the coach into a wide player.
2. 2The wide player links with a central support player before moving forward.
3. 3When space opens, the wide player crosses into the box.
4. 4Two finishers attack the delivery and one defender pressures the cross.
5. 5After each attack, the next group goes immediately.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Forcing the cross too early
• -No movement in the box
• -Support player standing on the same line