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Wide play & overlaps

Wide play & overlaps — U13-U14

Full-back overlaps and underlaps to create width. Timed phases for a 75-minute U13-U14 session.

U13-U14 Whole–Part–Whole Developing 65 mins 12–16 players Match intensity Attacking Crossing & finishing
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Practice timer

65:00

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 · 8 mins

Arrival linked to Wide play & overlaps

8:00

Ball-each or light rondo that previews wide play & overlaps. Raise intensity gradually.

Organisation: Arrival grids as players arrive; continuous ball supply.

Coaching points
  • On toes, scan early.
  • Quality first touch under light pressure.
  • Compete with a smile.
Progressions
  • Add a second ball or time pressure.
Regressions
  • Bigger space, fewer touch limits.
Whole game · 18 mins

Conditioned game — Wide play & overlaps

18:00

Directional game with a clear condition that makes wide play & overlaps the easiest path to success.

Organisation: Pitch size matched to age; bibs and multi-ball restart.

Coaching points
  • Recognise when wide play & overlaps is on.
  • In possession: create and use space.
  • Out of possession: organise early, stay compact.
Progressions
  • Tighten space or add a scoring bonus for the theme.
Regressions
  • Add a neutral pivot / bounce player.
Part practice · 18 mins

Part practice — Wide play & overlaps

18:00

Isolated repetition of the key action for wide play & overlaps, then rebuild toward the game picture.

Organisation: Lanes or grids; 1–2 coaches / helpers feeding balls.

Coaching points
  • Detail the technique before adding speed.
  • Disguise intentions where possible.
  • Recover shape after each action.
Progressions
  • Live defender / timed finishing.
Regressions
  • Unopposed patterns first.
Game · 16 mins

Transfer game — Wide play & overlaps

16:00

Open or lightly conditioned game. Freeze only to reinforce one coaching point from the theme.

Organisation: Age-appropriate pitch; keep balls ready.

Coaching points
  • Can we transfer tonight’s theme without the condition?
  • Communicate the next action early.
Progressions
  • Remove all conditions.
Regressions
  • Reintroduce the theme condition for 3 minutes.
Plenary · 5 mins

Plenary review

5:00

Players answer: What was the theme? When was it hardest? What will you try next match?

Organisation: Team huddle.

Coaching points
  • Player voice first.
  • Link to upcoming fixture if relevant.

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

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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

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