Target Lane Play

Objective

• -Keep possession in wide lanes
• -Use the middle to change play
• -Attack space with timing

Setup

1. 1Mark three vertical lanes across a 32 x 18 yard pitch.
2. 2Split players into two teams with bibs.
3. 3Place a ball at the feet of the coach to start.
4. 4Allow players to move between lanes freely.

How to play

1. 1Teams keep possession and score by playing into a player in the opposite wide lane.
2. 2The ball can travel through the centre lane, but the final pass must go from one side to the other.
3. 3Defenders can press anywhere and try to intercept.
4. 4After a score, the same team keeps the ball from the centre.
5. 5Rotate roles regularly and keep the tempo high.

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

• -All players drifting central
• -Slow support wide
• -Forcing the final ball