Small-Sided Games

Wide Channel Three Team Rotation Game

Keep intensity high with short, sharp games

Small-Sided Games
Transition
Possession

Keep intensity high with short, sharp games. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Small-Sided Games
Transition
Possession
Small-Sided Game
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Wide Play

Age

Under 5 to Adults

Duration

20 min

Players

9-18

Area / pitch size

38 x 32 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Bibs, Mini Goals

Coaching focus

Keep intensity high with short, sharp games

Objective

  • -Keep intensity high with short, sharp games
  • -Give every team regular rest and reflection
  • -Reward teams that keep winning

Setup

  1. 1One pitch with a resting team waiting on the side line in a 38 x 32 yards area.
  2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
  3. 3Balls beside the resting team, three sets of bibs.

How to play

  1. 1Two teams play a three-minute game while the third rests.
  2. 2The winner stays on and the resting team comes in.
  3. 3Play a full round-robin and keep a running score.
  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

  • -Start fast — the games are short
  • -Use the rest to talk tactics
  • -Fresh legs press hardest
  • -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

  • -Slow changeovers
  • -Resting team switching off completely
  • -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle

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