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Wide play & overlaps

Wide play & overlaps — U5-U6

Players know it as “Outside lane (U5-U6)”

Kid title: Outside lane (U5-U6). Full-back overlaps and underlaps to create width. Timed phases for a 45-minute U5-U6 session.

U5-U6 Game-related Foundation 45 mins 6–10 players Game tempo Attacking Crossing & finishing
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More actions
Practice timer

45:00

Pitch layout
Players Ball Pass / movement Cones / markers

How to use this session

  1. Set the learning intention before players arrive.
  2. Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
  3. Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
  4. Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.

Session flow

Arrival · 6 mins

Outside lane (U5-U6)

6:00

Fun ball each activity linked to wide play & overlaps. Lots of touches, short queues, coach joins in.

Organisation: Half of a 5v5 pitch; 1 ball each to start.

Coaching points
  • Big smiles, lots of praise.
  • Keep the ball close when moving.
  • Eyes up when you can.
Progressions
  • Add a soft challenge or tagger.
Regressions
  • Bigger space, slower demo.
Technical · 11 mins

Practice picture — Wide play & overlaps

11:00

Simple game that repeats the picture of wide play & overlaps with light opposition.

Organisation: Small grids or channels; rotate roles every 60–90 seconds.

Coaching points
  • Show me the picture with your body.
  • Try again quickly after a mistake.
  • Use both feet when you can.
Progressions
  • Add a mini-goal or end zone.
Regressions
  • Remove the defender / add a helper.
Skill · 11 mins

Drill 2 — develop Wide play & overlaps

11:00

Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve wide play & overlaps under pressure. Rotate roles often.

Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches so everyone is playing.

Coaching points
  • Play forward when you see space.
  • Help a teammate who is stuck.
  • Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
  • Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
  • Unopposed patterns first.
Small-sided game · 12 mins

Drill 3 — game for Wide play & overlaps

12:00

Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards wide play & overlaps. Minimal stoppages.

Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.

Coaching points
  • Find moments for wide play & overlaps.
  • Help a teammate who is stuck.
  • Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
  • Remove the condition when the theme is secure.
Regressions
  • Neutral helper / overload.
Plenary · 5 mins

What did we learn?

5:00

Players share one thing they tried. Coach links back to the theme in kid language.

Organisation: Circle with the ball.

Coaching points
  • Listen to teammates.
  • Name one success.

Related drills

Break the line

Setup: Each team has 4 defenders, 2 attackers & a GK Defenders locked in a square Attackers free to roam their channel (4 squares wide) Objective: Defenders play ball into attackers to score goal Challenges: Defenders keep ball across their 4 square channel until attacker shows an opportunity Attackers work as a team to get ball from 4 defenders 1 and 2 touch Progression: Attackers must pass to each other before scoring Progression 2: When defender plays ball into attacking channel they can join that channel and leave their square Progression 3: When defender plays a pass they must swap grid with another defender Break the line

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Break the line u10s

Setup: Each team has 3 defenders, 1 attacker & a GK Defenders locked in a square (or 2) Attackers free to roam their channel (4 squares wide) Objective: Defenders play ball into attackers to score goal Challenges: Defenders keep ball across their 4 square channel until attacker shows an opportunity Attackers work hard to get ball from 3 defenders 1 and 2 touch Progression: Attackers must score quickly or pass back Progression 2: When defender plays ball into attacking channel they can join that channel and leave their square Progression 3: When defender plays a pass they must swap grid with another defender Break the line u10s

Use in creator

Duplicate from left and right if numbers allow.

1 2 3 4 5 Shooting Build Up: P1 plays 1-2 with P2 then passes to P3 who “drops” the ball back to P2 to put it wide. P1 makes the run to get the cross in P2 & P3 both get in box crossing their run. - Aim for corner, concentrate on technique, Is there a rebound? Follow on Next 3 players straight in to go after the ball has went wide Do different job each time Coaching Points: Technique Use voice to get attention Duplicate from left and right if numbers allow.

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Dribble

Pass Run Pass & Follow; Starting player passes ball into player 2 dribbles down the line and passes to the striker to score Starting player follows their pass and becomes player 2 Player 2 after dribbling and passing becomes the striker Striker then joins at the back Repeat process Progression; Add a second ball – too advanced?? Pass Shoot Wide play –ball wide, cross, shoot. Run Join Queue Dribble

Use in creator

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