Channel Cushion

Objective

• -Cushion moving balls
• -Control along a narrow line
• -Link first touch with a clean next action

Setup

1. 1Make two narrow channels 35 x 6 yards with cones.
2. 2Put two players in each channel, one at each end.
3. 3Give a ball to one end of each channel.

How to play

1. 1Players pass along the channel at a moderate pace.
2. 2The receiver softens the ball with the first touch.
3. 3The second touch is a pass back or a dribble forward, depending on the drill step.
4. 4After three passes, players swap end positions.
5. 5Work both feet and keep the ball inside the lane.

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

• -Hard touch off the lane
• -Standing over the ball
• -Kicking the return pass too early