Wide Channel Halfway Line Game

Objectives

• -Coach the whole team moving up and down together
• -Keep the shape compact between the lines
• -Reward organised, connected play

Setup

1. 1A pitch with a clearly marked halfway line in a 42 x 32 yards area.
2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
3. 3Balls with the coach, two sets of bibs.

Coaching instructions

1. 1Goals only count when every attacking player has crossed halfway.
2. 2Defending teams must have everyone behind the ball to earn a clean-sheet point.
3. 3Play four-minute games with short breaks.
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.

Common mistakes

• -Strikers not tracking back
• -Defenders staying deep when the team attacks
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle