Wide Channel Reaction Sprint Pairs

Objective

• -Sharpen reaction speed off a cue
• -Develop the first three steps
• -Add a football action after the sprint

Setup

1. 1Pairs facing each other over a start line with a target 15 yards away in a 28 x 16 yards area.
2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
3. 3Balls on the target line.

How to play

1. 1Coach cue releases one player to sprint and the other to chase.
2. 2The winner takes a touch and finishes at the target.
3. 3Alternate who starts as the chaser.
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

• -Standing tall on the first step
• -Too many reps without rest
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle