Wing Whistle

Objective

• -Develop quick wide runs
• -Improve crossing speed after a sprint
• -Link pace with final delivery

Setup

1. 1Use one wide channel 30 x 20 yards.
2. 2Set a start cone near halfway and a crossing zone near the end line.
3. 3Put a mini goal or target area in the box.
4. 4Players start in lines on each side.

How to play

1. 1On the whistle, the player sprints from the start cone to the crossing zone.
2. 2A ball is played into the runner's path or carried by the runner.
3. 3The player crosses early into the target area.
4. 4Another player makes a matching run to finish or meet the ball.
5. 5Swap sides after each round.

Progressions

• +Progressive Tempo: add a fourth maximal round
• +Ball For Every Player: shrink the working area
• +Reaction Start: two cues, one a decoy
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Progressive Tempo: stay at the first two tempos only
• -Ball For Every Player: bigger area, share a ball between two
• -Reaction Start: coach counts players in
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Progressive Tempo — Three rounds: 60% pace, 80% pace, then match pace with full recovery between.
• -Ball For Every Player — Every player works with their own ball so no one waits in a queue.
• -Reaction Start — Every repetition begins from a visual or audio cue rather than a set count.
• -Partner Race — Players work in matched pairs and race each repetition, best of five.
• -Mobility Focus — Each round finishes with a controlled mobility hold for the hips, groin and ankles.
• -Change Of Direction — Add a 90 or 180 degree turn into every repetition before the finish.
• -Team Target — The whole group works to a shared score target and repeats the round if they miss it.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Slowing down before the cross
• -Crossing without looking up
• -Arriving too early for the service