U14 Practice Session - Attacking from Wide Areas

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U14 Practice Session - Attacking from Wide Areas

In this practice session designed for players in the U14 age level the focus is on how and when to play the ball wide as opposed to using the middle of the field. The outline for this practice is the following:

  1. 31 x 20 yard 4 vs. 4 scrimmage (10 minutes)
  2. 4 vs. 4 to to six goals (15 minutes)
  3. Curved Zones (15 miunutes)
  4. 7 vs. 7 scrimmage (15 minutes)

End of practice questions

  • Why should we look centrally before playing out wide? (because the only reason to play wide is because the space doesn’t exist in the center. We want to get the ball as close the goal as we can!).
  • Why should we immediately get wide when our team wins the ball?? (width gives up the option to play wide, and makes the defenders spread out for us…allowing us to play centrally).
  • Why is a cross on the ground preferred over a cross in the air? (depends on the situation, but scoring from the ground is easier than scoring from the air).

31 x 20 4v4 Scrimmage

Players Required: 
8
Balls Required: 
1
Goals Required: 
0

Set Up:

  • Remove the endzones in the previous game, and add two 3 yard goals on each end (field is now 31x20yds)

  • Let players play 4v4, coach decides how restarts happen, depending on local rules

Coaching Points:

  • None. Just let them play. However, get excited when you see a player try a try a dribbling move or attempts to get a defender off balance.

  • Always highlight positives you see, but don’t stop play and don’t correct their decision making. This is their time to play how they want.

4v4 to 6 Goals

Players Required: 
8

Set Up:

The two teams play 4v4 on a small field with three small goals set up on each end line. Games are played to three goals, and new teams are formed after each game. As the game progresses, the center goals are taken off of the field.

Coaching Points:

1.  When an area of the field closes down, switch the field.

2.  Anticipate changes of possession and move before your opponent does.

3.  When your team has possession, you are an attacker. When it doesn't, you're a defender!

Progressions:

1.  Add a neutral and play 4v4 plus one.

Curved Zones

Players Required: 
10
Balls Required: 
1
Goals Required: 
2

Set Up:

  • Use large goals on each side with goalkeepers. Give each team a formation.

  • Place cones as shown the diagram, creating a wide zone outside of the cones.

  • Players scrimmage 4v4. If a goal is scored from a pass from the wide zone, that goal is worth three points instead of one.

  • Players can run into the wide zones to defend.

Coaching Points:

  • Work on decision making with crosses. Should we always cross just because we are out wide? When should we fake a cross and dribble? Can we play a cross on the ground?  

  • Encourage players to look to attack centrally first (because that is where the goal is). If a good shot or pass doesn’t exist, then look to play the ball out wide.

  • Movement off the ball - If players don’t get wide when we win the ball, then we can’t pass wide!

  • Communication (verbal and nonverbal)

7v7 Scrimmage

Players Required: 
14
Balls Required: 
1
Goals Required: 
2

Set Up:

  • Play 7v7. If your numbers are short, decrease size of field to 40x25 and play 6v6.
  • Cones for goals are 6yds wide and use goalkeepers.

Coaching Points:

  • None. Just sit back and let them play. Play full rules for your age group: offside, thrown-ins, goalkicks and corners etc.
  • If you see deception, get excited even if the move doesn’t work. Give them the thumbs-up and tell them you want them to try it again. The more you encourage the attempt instead of the result, the more often your players will be willing to take risks in a game.
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