Small-sided games

Wide Channels Game: Soccer Wide Play Drill

This wide play drill splits the pitch lengthways into three channels. The teams play in the middle, and a neutral in each wide channel plays for whoever has the ball. When the middle gets crowded, the outlet is out wide, and the goal comes from a cross or a cutback.

AgesU11 to adult
Players10 to 16
Space45 × 36 m
Time20 min
IntensityHigh

Animate it in DrawTactics

It trains attackers to use width to get round a compact defense, wide players to deliver early, and runners to attack the box with a plan: near post, far post, edge of the box. Use it in a session on crossing and finishing or on breaking down a deep defense.

Setup

Mark a 45 × 36 m pitch with a full-size goal at each end and split it lengthways into three 12 m channels. Play 4 Reds and a keeper against 4 Blues and a keeper in the middle channel, with one neutral in each wide channel, 12 players in all. The neutrals play for the team with the ball, and no one else may enter the wide channels. Restarts come from the keepers.

Equipment2 full-size goals, Discs to mark the channels, Bibs in three colors, Supply of balls in each goal

How it works

A Red passes out to the neutral in the wide channel, and a Blue closes down the passer.
The neutral carries the ball up the channel while two Reds run into the box, one to the near post and one across the middle.
The neutral plays the ball into the near-post runner.
That Red finishes past the Blue keeper.

Diagram of the wide channels game: soccer wide play drill with every pass and run — Every step of the drill on one diagram.

Coaching points

Use the wide player to get round a compact defense
Cross early, or get to the byline and cut it back
Runs into the box: near post, far post and edge of the box
Wide players play in one or two touches
Time the run so you meet the ball at speed, not stand waiting for it

Make it harder

A Red may follow the ball into a wide channel to make 2v1
A goal from a cross counts double
Wide neutrals are limited to one touch

Make it easier

The wide players are allowed to shoot
Use bigger goals
Add a second neutral in each wide channel

Adapting it by age

U8–U10

Play 3v3 plus keepers on 35 × 30 m with smaller goals. Wide players can pass the ball in along the ground; don't ask for lofted crosses yet.

U12–U14

Use the default 4v4 plus keepers and two wide neutrals. Add the 2v1 overlap rule once players are using the channels, and coach the three runs into the box.

U15 to adult

Play 5v5 or 6v6 plus keepers on 60 × 45 m with one-touch wide players and an extra point for a goal from a cross.

Common mistakes

The team ignores the wide players and keeps forcing it through the middle. Make a goal count only after the ball has been in a wide channel, then relax the rule.

Everyone runs to the same spot in the box. Name the three runs before each attack: near post, far post and edge of the box.

Wide players take too many touches and the defense resets. Limit them to two touches and praise the early cross.

Crosses are hit at the keeper. Ask for the ball between the keeper and the defenders, or pulled back to the edge of the box.

FAQ

What does a wide channels game teach?
It teaches teams to use the width of the field to get round a defense that is crowding the middle, and to attack crosses with planned runs.

Can I play it without goalkeepers?
You can use mini goals instead, but full goals with keepers make crossing and finishing more realistic.

Make this drill your own

Open the wide channels game: soccer wide play drill in DrawTactics to change the numbers and the size of the area, move the players, and export your own animation or diagram for your team. Or add it to a free session plan and print it.

Animate it in DrawTactics