Players know it as “Outside lane (U7-U8)”
Kid title: Outside lane (U7-U8). Full-back overlaps and underlaps to create width. Timed phases for a 50-minute U7-U8 session.
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 pointsSimple game that repeats the picture of wide play & overlaps with light opposition.
Organisation: Small grids or channels; rotate roles every 60–90 seconds.
Coaching pointsAdd 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 pointsSmall-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards wide play & overlaps. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching pointsPlayers share one thing they tried. Coach links back to the theme in kid language.
Organisation: Circle with the ball.
Coaching pointsSetup: 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
Use in creatorSetup: 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 creator1 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.
Use in creatorPass 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
