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Player arrivals and departures
Use anonymous numbers from 1 to 99. Changes take effect before an activity begins; each activity needs 4–16 players.
Your practice
Create wider passing options.
U9–U1060 min8 starting players24 × 30 mField practice
Bring 8 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.
Look for progress
Make a wider angle while remaining available.
Move back inside after the wide connection.
Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.
Begin at walking pace in the numbered stations. Partners move from a narrow pair into separate diagonal positions, stopping before the pass would become uncomfortable. Share the ball when needed; an observer watches the same decision and takes a ball turn on the next assigned round.
Open the field while staying available. Width improves the passing line without stretching beyond a comfortable pass.
Run the activity
Partners move from a narrow pair into separate diagonal positions, stopping before the pass would become uncomfortable.
Pause on a raised hand and point to the space you chose.
Swap the ball on the round signal and notice this feature: Width improves the passing line without stretching beyond a comfortable pass.
Play
Partners move from a narrow pair into separate diagonal positions, stopping before the pass would become uncomfortable.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Width improves the passing line without stretching beyond a comfortable pass.
If you see: The receiver moves too far away or onto the boundary.
Try: Walk back inward until the pass can arrive under control.
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.
Next step: Let the carrier change position before the receiver widens.
Move on: Stop the balls and identify the start positions for wide window.
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. Three steps show pass gate using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Partners start near the centre of a station with one ball. Use the station edges as width limits.
Open the field while staying available. Width improves the passing line without stretching beyond a comfortable pass.
Run the activity
Receiver walks sideways until a clear diagonal angle appears.
Passer sends a comfortable ground pass.
Receiver stops it and compares that angle with the narrow starting position.
Play
Receiver walks sideways until a clear diagonal angle appears.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Width improves the passing line without stretching beyond a comfortable pass.
If you see: The receiver moves too far away or onto the boundary.
Try: Walk back inward until the pass can arrive under control.
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.
Next step: Let the carrier change position before the receiver widens.
Move on: Stop in place, recall width improves the passing line without stretching beyond a comfortable pass. and walk to water with the balls still.
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. Three steps show pass gate using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Face the gate: Look at the receiving space beyond the gate. 2. Pass through: Use a ground pass through the clear gap. 3. Move to help: Offer a new angle for the return pass.
Offer water and rest. Leave balls still outside the walking route. Before restarting, show the next decision: The wide pass creates an inside route on the next action.
Open the field while staying available. Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
Run the activity
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Check the surface, clear the next station and keep boundary buffers empty.
Name what to look for next: The wide pass creates an inside route on the next action.
Play
Stop every ball and offer water or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Every player has a rest opportunity and understands the next start position.
If you see: Players begin moving balls while others cross the area.
Try: Keep every ball still until the area is clear and all players have heard the start signal.
Easier: Demonstrate only the first action, then begin slowly.
Next step: Invite a player to point out the next receiving or observation position.
Move on: Show the first decision in inside to outside before the restart signal.
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.
Use a central carrier and a wide receiver; with three players, the third keeps a second central angle.
Open the field while staying available. The wide pass creates an inside route on the next action.
Run the activity
Connect from the centre to the wide player.
Passer walks into the receiver's former inside space.
Return the ball through the new inside angle before changing sides.
Play
Connect from the centre to the wide player.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
The wide pass creates an inside route on the next action.
If you see: Both players remain on the same outside edge.
Try: Point to the vacant central space and move there before returning.
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.
Easier: Pause and place both players before every pass.
Next step: Alternate the side used for the wide connection.
Move on: Stop the station balls, show the game target lines and explain this condition: Score after a pass reaches a wide teammate and returns into the field.
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. Three steps show triangle move using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. Show passing angles: Use the available players to show angles. 2. Pass and relocate: Move after the pass to create a new angle. 3. Connect the next side: Use the next angle, then look up again.
Score after a pass reaches a wide teammate and returns into the field. Use the numbered teams and neutral roles for this pitch. Agree line targets inside the shown area. Restart with a gentle ground pass; opponents retreat at least two metres until the first touch.
Open the field while staying available. Notice a wide pass that returns into useful central space rather than trapping play on the edge.
Run the activity
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score after a pass reaches a wide teammate and returns into the field.
Play within the marked pitch using the current numbered roles; restart from the nearest boundary after the ball leaves.
At the next pause, give one observed example: Notice a wide pass that returns into useful central space rather than trapping play on the edge.
Play
Before each round, explain the scoring condition: Score after a pass reaches a wide teammate and returns into the field.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Notice a wide pass that returns into useful central space rather than trapping play on the edge.
If you see: Both players remain on the same outside edge.
Try: Point to the vacant central space and move there before returning.
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.
Easier: Pause at each restart to show the available choice. Pause and place both players before every pass.
Next step: Alternate the side used for the wide connection.
Move on: Stop every ball, bring the numbered groups together and leave a clear space for walking or seated reflection.
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. Three steps show decision game using the first round's numbered players. Solid gold routes show the ball; dashed pale routes show player movement; dotted blue routes show a shadow or defender. Routes stay inside each numbered station. 1. See the options: Look for a carry, pass or safe return. 2. Choose a clear route: Choose the route that is clear now. 3. Keep the next option open: Move to help the next player with the ball.
Round-by-round player roles
Round
Assignments
1 · 180s
1: 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 · 180s
1: 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 · 180s
1: 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 · 180s
1: 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)
Leave the balls still and walk comfortably within your own station. Recall one choice from the session, then ask: How did width help the player in the middle?
Open the field while staying available. Make a wider angle while remaining available. Move back inside after the wide connection.
Run the activity
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Point to the movement you remember without a ball, then reflect: How did width help the player in the middle?
Share one observed example or say that you need another look; count the players and equipment before finishing.
Play
Leave all balls still; choose comfortable walking or seated rest.
Ground play only. No heading, sliding, body contact or tackles at a player's feet. Intercept loose ground passes only. Offer water or a pause whenever needed.
Watch for
Make a wider angle while remaining available. Move back inside after the wide connection.
If you see: The review names only the score and misses the choice that led to it.
Try: Ask for one specific example: Notice a wide pass that returns into useful central space rather than trapping play on the edge.
Easier: Allow a pointing gesture or one word instead of a spoken explanation.
Next step: Invite a player to explain what they would change if the same route closed next time.
Move on: Check every player and collect stationary equipment before leaving the area.
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.
