Wide Channel Delay and Show

Objective

• -Coach the approach and set position of the defender
• -Show the attacker into the least dangerous area
• -Win the ball at the right moment

Setup

1. 1A defending channel with two mini goals to protect in a 30 x 22 yards area.
2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
3. 3Balls with the attackers, bibs for defenders.

How to play

1. 1Attacker drives at the defender who must delay and show one way.
2. 2The defender wins a point for forcing the attacker wide or winning the ball.
3. 3Swap roles after each duel.
4. 4The practice is started by a pass into one of the wide channels.
5. 5End actions only count when the ball has travelled through a wide channel first.

Progressions

• +Defender allowed into the channel to make it live
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Channel is a free zone with no defender at all
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch the ball to the far channel before the end action
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Sprinting straight through the attacker
• -Standing square and getting spun
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle