Small-Sided Games

Wide Channel End Zone Game

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Passing

Reward forward passing and running with the ball. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Small-Sided Games
Attacking
Passing
Small-Sided Game
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Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Wide Play

Age

Under 5 to Adults

Duration

16 min

Players

6-18

Area / pitch size

40 x 30 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs

Coaching focus

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Objective

  • -Reward forward passing and running with the ball
  • -Create a game that works without goals
  • -Encourage runs beyond the defensive line

Setup

  1. 1A pitch with a three-yard end zone at each end in a 40 x 30 yards area.
  2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
  3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1Teams score by controlling the ball inside the opposition end zone.
  2. 2The ball must be passed into the zone, not dribbled in.
  3. 3Restart immediately from the conceding team.
  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.

Coaching points

  • -Run beyond the line to receive
  • -Time the pass with the run
  • -Defend the zone, not the ball
  • -Attack the outside shoulder and deliver early rather than over-dribbling

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

  • -Runs made too early
  • -Passing into the zone with nobody there
  • -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle

Related Football Drills & Sessions

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Age band
Under 5 to Adults
Players
6-18
Time
16 min
Area
36 x 26 yards
Kit
Balls, Cones, Bibs
Focus
Small-Sided Game
Small-Sided Games
FREE

Tempo End Zone Game

Reward forward passing and running with the ball

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Small-Sided GamesAttackingPassing