Wide Channel Side-On Duel

Objective

• -Win the ball while running alongside an attacker
• -Use the body legally to gain the inside line
• -Choose the moment to commit

Setup

1. 1A narrow channel with a mini goal at the far end in a 26 x 16 yards area.
2. 2Mark five-yard channels down both touchlines with flat cones.
3. 3Balls at the start line, bibs for defenders.

How to play

1. 1Attacker and defender start side by side and race for a served ball.
2. 2The defender must get a shoulder in front and win possession legally.
3. 3Roles swap on every rep.
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

• -Pulling or holding the attacker
• -Diving in from behind
• -Everything funnelling into a crowded middle