Wide Outlet Race

Objective

• -Use wide players to escape the first press
• -Carry the ball into space when the lane opens
• -Link wide and central players in build-up

Setup

1. 1Set up a 35 x 20 yard pitch with a narrow centre and two wide lanes.
2. 2Place one keeper, two defenders and two wide players for the team building out.
3. 3Use two pressers in the middle and add more as the game goes on.

How to play

1. 1The keeper starts play with the ball at feet or in hand.
2. 2The team scores by getting the ball to either wide player and then into a target zone.
3. 3Wide players must stay in their lane until the ball arrives.
4. 4If the press wins it, they attack the start end straight away.
5. 5Rotate the wide players into other roles after each round.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Crowding the centre
• -Hitting hopeful long balls
• -Wide players drifting in too early