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wide area DRILLS
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Diamond Midfield Channelling

Red team vs Blue team. Set up a diamond midfield formation 2 strikers, 4 midfield, 4 defenders. Set up cones as shown on the diagram (3 sets of cones. 2 pairs before the top of the diamond numbered "1", one pair of cones lower down in the middle of the diamond numbered "2") Works on the Defence channelling the ball into certain areas. The 2 red team strikers try to stop the blue team from playing the ball through either of the "1" cones, so that play is encouraged into a central area (top of the diamond). Once the blue player with the ball has reached the top of the diamond, players will looks to direct him outside of the "2" cones and into wide areas (occupied by the 2 red wide midfielders). Red fullbacks need to recognise where the ball is going and move into an advanced wide position to put pressure on opposition's wide players. By doing this the red team are attempting to dictate how the ball moves. Play for half an hour.

Defending

King Cutback

AUDIO DESCRIPTION Start by placing the balls around a cone in a wide area. The cone or flat disc will make sure the servers do not encroach to close to the goalkeepers. One goalkeeper working. A gate on the penalty spot for the Server 2 Server 1 plays the ball between the gate for Server 2 to hit first time. If S2 scores they become the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper starts at the back of the S1 line. If S2 misses they just go to the back of the S1 line and S1 takes the place of S2 no matter what the outcome

Goalkeeping

Football: Passing wide to cros...

Set up:Cone off an area 2 areas: Width 44 yards length 20 yards one above the other. At each side of one area have an extra square of 5 yards.Set up a 2 goals, one at the top of the areas and one at the bottom.Red team players: GK, 2 Defenders in the bottom area, 2 Attackers in the top area and 2 wingers, one in each 5 yard square. Blue team players: GK, 2 Defenders in top area, 2 Attackers in bottom area.Description: Red team start with the ball.Passes:GK -> Defender (or straight to winger) -> wingerWinger crosses to one of the Attacking players who can either pass the ball to the other Attacker or take a shot.If Blue team win the ball then they can go for goal although they don't have the same wide options.

General

Football: Advancement of full ...

Objective: To defend against a winger or opposite full back overlappingDetail:This practice uses 7 players (2 full backs 2 wide players 1 CB 1 Att 1 GK)Use the same area/side of the pitch as above.Serving full back serves the ball from half way line. Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside of 18 yard box.Attacking full back passes the ball to wide player. As ball travels defending full back pressurises ball. Full back can now pass to centre forward or overlapping full back.Defending centre back and wide player are added.Full Back: Having pressured wide player, if opposing full back overlaps, defensive full back tracks overlapping run.If wide player passes or dribbles inside to centre forward full back tucks in close to centre back.Wide Player: If full back overlaps, wide player to pressurise opposing wide player and force the ball down the line.Centre Back: Move within 10 yards of full back to remain compact whilst positioning ball side of centre forward.

General

Diamond Midfield Channelling D...

Red team vs Blue team.Set up a diamond midfield formation2 strikers, 4 midfield, 4 defenders.Set up cones as shown on the diagram(3 sets of cones. 2 pairs before the top of the diamond numbered &quot;1&quot;, one pair of cones lower down in the middle of the diamond numbered &quot;2&quot;)Works on the Defence channelling the ball into certain areas.The 2 red team strikers try to stop the blue team from playing the ball through either of the &quot;1&quot; cones, so that play is encouraged into a central area (top of the diamond).Once the blue player with the ball has reached the top of the diamond, players will looks to direct him <em>outside</em> of the &quot;2&quot; cones and into wide areas (occupied by the 2 red wide midfielders).Red fullbacks need to recognise where the ball is going and move into an advanced wide position to put pressure on opposition's wide players.By doing this the red team are attempting to dictate how the ball moves.Play for half an hour.

General

Wonder Wingers Crossing and Fi...

Set up 4 meter wide channels along each sideline. Play 3 vs 3 in the middle area (between the channels) with a goalkeeper at both ends. Station one player in each channel. The object of the game is to get the ball to your wide player as quickly as possible. As soon as the wide player receives the ball they should sprint to the goal line and cross the ball in towards the goal to their team mates who are attacking the near and far posts.

General

Attacking the Crossed Ball Cro...

Organize groups of 6. Station goalkeepers in a goal at each end line. Place 2 players inside the area and 2 wide players outside the area. Goalkeepers should have a supply of balls. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. White goalkeeper distributes the ball to player white 1, who advances the ball up the touchline with his first touch and crosses the ball to player white 2 with his second touch. Keepers must stay on their line throughout the practice. Repeat in the opposite direction from red goalkeeper to red player 1 and red player 2. The wide player should attempt to vary his crosses to near, middle and far post positions.

General

Width and Forward Runs Conditi...

Place 5 cones across the middle of the area, 10 yards in from each sideline. Play 4 vs 4. The ball is not allowed to travel through or over the discs. The object of the game is to get the ball wide in the near side of the field and attack the flanks of the attacking area. Although the ball is not allowed to travel over the discs, players may make runs over the discs.

General

Pick your spot Shooting - Foot...

Depending on where the pass is played to players must shoot in a particular area of the goal. If the pass is played wide the shot should be driven into the opposite corner of the goal (so a feed to right should be scored in the left corner of the goal). If the pass is central the shooter should not hit the ball with their laces but instead place the ball in a corner of their choice.

General

Play ball wide Crossing and Fi...

Player 1 playes the ball to player 2 to draw the defender player 2 passes the ball back to player 1 when the defender comes close to player 1 player 1 passes the ball wide to player 3 who runs down the wing and crosses the ball into the box either to the near or far post depending on where the defender moves to.

General

Crossfire Conditioned games - ...

Position 4 players from each team randomly within the area. Place a goalkeeper in each of the goals.The white team can score can score in the goals to the left and right of the diagram, while the blue team can score in goals at either the top or the bottom of the diagram.You can choose to make the goals 5 yards wide and play with no goalkeepers in a 6 v 6 within the area.

General

Use the width to get up the pi...

Red 1 passes the ball to one of the teams to start the game. There should be 3 players in both wings and 8 players in the centre of the pitch. The wing players cannot be tackled and the central players are not allowed into the wing areas. In order to score a goal the team in possession must make 5 consecutive passes before passing out to their wide man. The wide players must both touch the ball before it is crossed in for the team in possession to attack it, with the other team defending the cross. After an attack on goal has been made the ball returns to red 1 who feeds the ball out to the other team.

General

First touch set up - Outside o...

Working with one ball between 2 players pass the ball to each other. When they receive the ball the player should try and control the ball with the outside of their foot, using their first touch to push the ball slightly in front and wide into space, for the player to follow and then play to their partner. After each pass players should run back to the same spot to receive the ball.

General

3 v 1 long pass Passing and Re...

6 players work in an area approximately 30 meters wide, divided in two with a third boxed area at one end. Red team play a 3 v 1 inside the first area but need to look for early deep ball to blue (3) in smaller coned area. The Blue team has also got a player (2) in the centre zone this player can not enter the area where the reds are keeping possession.

General

Soccer: Keeping Possession - S...

3 teams of 6: red blue and yellow.Set up an area starting at the edge of the penalty box, 44 yards wide and about 20 yards long.2 teams start in the area with the other team spaced evenly around the edge.Games of 6 vs 6 using the outside players as extras for whichever team has the ball: 3 minute rotation (including the players on the outside)The aim of this is for teams to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible.The players on the outside are 2 touch only.6 games, so each team plays the others twice.

General

9 v 9 Wide Play Conditioned ga...

Setup: 50 x 40 with wide zone for full backs / wingersExplanation: Ball starts with either the coach or either GK.Once the ball is in play, the defending team are tasked with getting immediate pressure on the ball from front to back.1st and 2nd defenders show press aggressively and force the opposition to play backwards or side wards or long.Look for clear communication from players in positions behind to help support the closest players to the ball.Aim is to win the ball back and counter attack quickly or regain controlled possession.

General

Football: 1-2 and cross - Spor...

Set up as shown. Player 1 starts with the ball in the middle of the field and plays a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing out wide to player 3. At this point, players 1 and 2 run towards the penalty area, ready to receive a cross, while one of the defenders goes out wide to put pressure on the crosser. Player 3 will cross the ball into the box where players 1 and 2 will try to beat the defender to it and score.

General

Pass Wide, Cross and Attacking...

Players line up in 3 queues, with the ball starting with player 1. Player 1 makes a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing the ball down the line for player 3 to run onto. Player 3 times their run to meet the pass and gets the ball under control before swinging a cross into the box for the players 1 and 2 to run onto and head into the goal.

General

Football: 3 Style Shooting - S...

Set up 3 cones (or poles) spaced as shown in the diagram.Have a mannequin positioned on either side of the middle, just before the penalty box.Have a Player positioned on the backline to the left side in the penalty box with a ball.Have another Player (W) positioned out wide to the right side with a ball.A Player starts halfway between the centre circle and goal; dribbles the ball around the cones and in between the mannequins to take a shot.After first shot, Player quickly moves around the left hand mannequin and gets a cross from the wide player. Then the Player recovers around the right hand mannequin to receive the ball from the player on the goal line.Rotate the players around ever play (shooter &gt; winger &gt; backline player &gt; shooter line)

General

Football: Full backs defending...

Objective: To defend as a full back in a 1 v 1 situationDetail:This practice uses only 4 players (2 full backs 1 winger 1 GK).Use half a pitch down either side.Serving full back serves the ball from the half way line into the winger.Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside the 18 yard box.Serving full back passes ball into wide player, and as ball travels defending full back pressurises the ball.Close down wide player quickly cutting off the line preventing wide player getting passed into coned area.Slow down within 2-3 yards to prevent wide player getting past, but close enough to prevent building up speed.Jockey and lead with nearest foot if ball can be won.

General

Football: Combo Pass, Cross an...

The drill starts with player 3 moving to the red cone and then coming back to receive pass from player 1. Once player 3 has received the ball player 2 runs forward in support and receives the ball from player 3. Player 2 controls and then plays a long switch ball to the wide player 4 who is on the move down the line. The wing player then runs down the line and swings in a cross for the 3 other players to run onto and attack!

General

Shoot & Rebound Shooting - Foo...

Groups of six. Four balls per group. Position players as shown in the diagram. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. Red player 1 passes the ball to red server 3 who passes the ball back into the path of red player 1. Red player 1 shoots low and to the far post. Red player 3 turns and runs to the area at the far post to pick up any rebounds or shots wide of the target. Red player 3 becomes the goalkeeper. Blue goalkeeper goes to the back of the line and blue players 1 and 2 assume the pass and serve positions. Repeat the practice and rotate positions. Save= 5 points; rebound= 3 points; goal= 5 points; shot on target= 3 points.<br>Progression: Make blue player 1 a defender.

General

Pass, support and shoot Shooti...

1) Player 8 plays to player 1 who returns the ballslightly wide. Running onto the wide pass player 8 passes the ball down the side to meet the diagonal run of player 4. 2) Player 4 shoots and player 1 makes a supporting diagonal run to the far post for rebounds.

General

Scoring From Crosses Crossing ...

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. <BR> Player 2 receives the ball on the half turn towards the touchline. <BR> Player 2 travels with the ball and crosses the ball into the penalty area for the attacking player.

General

Passing pattern with shot Shoo...

Player 1 begins with the ball on the 1/2 way line. Player 1 plays the ball into player 2 who lays the ball of to player 3. Player 3 sets the ball up for player 1 to shoot.

General

Diamond formation practice Def...

Diamond formation midfield in an 11 a side game. Reds vs blue.Set up in the formation:2 strikers, diamond midfield, 4 defenders and a GK.The midfield players are attempting to channel the attackers to one side of play, to keep pushing them out towards the side and limit their options.Encourage individuals to channel the ball and contain players in certain areas and to be aware of covering other Defenders.

General

Early Cross Crossing and Finis...

Set out 5 x 15 yard channels in each corner of the area as shown in the diagram. Station one player in each channel. Play 2 v 2 in central area.The goalkeeper serves the ball to one of his two teammates in the central area. The goal is to get the ball to either of your teams players stationed in a channel. This player delivers a crossed ball into the attacking area. The two attacking players stagger their runs into the near post, mid-goal and far post areas. Finish with a shot or header on goal.<br>Progression: When the wide player gets the ball in the channel the opposing wide player on his side of the field may run into his area to challenge the cross.

General

Change Soccer Conditioned game...

Position 3 players who link arms or hold hands on the goal line. Play 3 v 3 until coach shouts, &quot;Change!&quot; then the chain breaks and the team previously out on the field becomes the chain in goal. The original chain players now become field players. 3 players from each team form a human chain by linking arms or holding hands. These players are stationed on the goal line in front of a goal approximately 8 yards wide. The team in possession must attempt to score past the human chain defending the opposing goal. Goals and saves are each worth 1 point(players in the chain are not allowed to use their hands to defend the goal and must control the ball within 5 yards to score).

General

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wide area SESSIONS
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Goalkeeping Shot Stopping From the Angle

To improve the goalkeeper making saves from shots from the angle.

Spreading out to maintain & exploit space

Take advantage of the space. Get your players into the mindset of spreading the play to utilise the space to attack by creating links between the wide men and center forwards.

Decision Making In & Around The Box

Improve combinations in wide areas and finishing in around the box!

Crossing & Finishing

Exploit the flanks and get your wide players whipping balls into the danger areas for your forwards to put away. Work on the delivery into the box and the forwards movements to anticipate and reach the cross.

Defending as an Individual

Get your defenders taking responsibility for their man to dictate the play and slow attacks down. Work on players footwork and decision making and emphasise the importance of a defenders mindset.

Defending Overloads in Flank Areas

Attack minded full-backs are the new trend in football so make sure your defence are prepped to deal with the overloads on the flanks.
wide area ANSWERS
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how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

Free-kicks from wide areas

Hi, I need some help with ideas on delivering free-kicks from full-back positions into the goal area. Do you have any tips on the movement of the forward players? Thanks James

Archived User Coach

What is the best pre-game warm up routine for U9 boys?

What is the best warm up routine for U9 boys before a game? Thanks Coach Heath

Archived User Coach

Looking for mini-soccer 7-a-si...

Hi, My team plays in a mini soccer league which is 7v7. Whats the best formation to play in the environment. We have played 2-3-1 all season but i was looking at 3-1-2 this season using the left and right backs as wingers aswell. Any one got any thoughts? Cheers

Archived User Coach

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