Session Pitch

Width in Small Games

Create wider passing options.

U9–U1060 minRecommended 8–12 playersVersion 1.0.1

From playful exploration to a small-sided task. A complete practice with water breaks, easy variations and numbered player roles.

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Dimensions include a 2 m perimeter buffer. Confirm clear space and a usable surface before play.

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Your practice

Create wider passing options.

U9–U1060 min8 players24 × 30 mField practice

Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.

Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.

  1. 10–10 minExplore and notice
  2. 210–22 minWide window
  3. 322–25 minWater and reset
  4. 425–40 minInside to outside
  5. 540–55 minPut it into play
  6. 655–60 minSlow down and reflect
1

Explore and notice

10 min

Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: How did width help the player in the middle? Stop on a raised hand.

Open the field while staying available.

Play

  • Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: How did width help the player in the middle? Stop on a raised hand.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

Each player works in their own clear station with one ball. Stop together on the signal.

7 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 420s activity · 60s briefing · 60s rest · 60s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to explore and notice; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s18-arrival24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 8 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 8 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 4Station 5Station 6Station 7Station 81234567824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 8 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 8 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
2 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
4 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
6 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6); 7: carrier (station 7); 8: carrier (station 8)
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Equipment: 8 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

2

Wide window

12 min

Wide window: partners begin close, then move apart until a clear diagonal pass is possible.

Open the field while staying available.

Play

  • Wide window: partners begin close, then move apart until a clear diagonal pass is possible.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

10 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 600s activity · 60s briefing · 30s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to wide window; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s18-skill24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 41526374824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
2 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
4 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
6 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
8 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
10 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
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Equipment: 4 balls · 12 cones · 0 goals

3

Water and reset

3 min

Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.

Open the field while staying available.

Play

  • Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

Timing: 0s activity · 30s briefing · 120s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to water and reset; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s18-break24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
Rest1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

4

Inside to outside

15 min

Inside to outside: connect a central pass to a wider receiver, then move into their old space.

Open the field while staying available.

Play

  • Inside to outside: connect a central pass to a wider receiver, then move into their old space.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

4 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

12 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to inside to outside; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s18-application24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 1Station 2Station 3Station 41526374824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 4 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 4 balls and 12 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
2 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
3 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
4 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
5 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
6 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
7 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
8 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
9 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
10 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
11 · 60s1: carrier (station 1); 5: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 6: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 7: receiver / shadow (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 8: receiver / shadow (station 4)
12 · 60s1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 5: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 6: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 7: carrier (station 3); 4: receiver / shadow (station 4); 8: carrier (station 4)
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Equipment: 4 balls · 12 cones · 0 goals

5

Put it into play

15 min

Score after a pass reaches a wide teammate and returns into the field. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.

Open the field while staying available.

Play

  • Score after a pass reaches a wide teammate and returns into the field. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

2 pitches. Teams use numbered A/B slots. Odd groups use a neutral who helps the team with the ball. Rotate slot assignments between rounds; everyone plays and each odd-pitch player takes a neutral turn.

4 rounds × 180 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to put it into play; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s18-games24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Pitch 1Pitch 21A3B5A7B2A4B6A8B24 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 2 numbered pitches, 8 numbered player slots, 2 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 180s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
2 · 180s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
3 · 180s1: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 7: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 2); 4: team B (station 2); 6: team A (station 2); 8: team B (station 2)
4 · 180s1: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 7: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 2); 4: team A (station 2); 6: team B (station 2); 8: team A (station 2)
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Equipment: 2 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

6

Slow down and reflect

5 min

Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: How did width help the player in the middle? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.

Open the field while staying available.

Play

  • Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: How did width help the player in the middle? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.
  • Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

2 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 120s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to slow down and reflect; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

s18-close24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.Station 11234567824 × 30 m · 2 m perimeter bufferNumbered circle: player · small dot: ball · triangle: cone · dashed arrow: route

24 × 30 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 8 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Create wider passing options. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles
RoundAssignments
1 · 60s1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
2 · 60s1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1); 7: rest / reflect (station 1); 8: rest / reflect (station 1)
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Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

After the practice

How did width help the player in the middle?

Save field notes

Try next

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