Wide Lanes 5v5

Bias attacking play towards width: stretch the pitch, attack the wide lanes, and deliver early balls and cutbacks rather than forcing everything through the middle.

A 40x30 yard pitch with a goal at each end. Mark a 6-yard wing lane down each touchline with cones. Two teams of five (four outfield plus a goalkeeper each, or play to mini-goals with 5 outfield).

1. Normal 5v5 game with one golden rule: a goal only counts if the ball travelled through either wing lane during that attack.
2. Any player can enter the lanes; defenders can too, but it pulls them out of the middle.
3. Once the ball has been in a lane, the attack is 'live' until possession is lost.
4. Coach calls 'live!' to confirm — keeps everyone honest and scanning wide.
5. Play 4-minute games; the losing team does the cone reset between games.
6. Bonus point for a goal scored from a first-time finish off a lane delivery.

• Make the pitch big — wingers' heels on the touchline.
• Switch the ball quickly when one side is crowded.
• In the lane: head up, pick the cutback or the early cross.
• Time your runs into the box — arrive as the ball arrives.

• Teams pass to the lane once, tick the box, then crab back inside — keep coaching the second wave: lane, cutback, finish.
• Wingers receive standing on the lane's inside edge — demand starting positions on the touchline to stretch defenders.
• Crosses are floated high to nobody at this age — coach low, hard deliveries or a pull-back to the penalty spot.

• Only one attacker allowed in each lane, so the right player must go wide.
• Lane player is limited to two touches — first touch out of the lane or deliver.
• Goals from lane deliveries count double.

• Defenders cannot enter the lanes, giving wingers free time on the ball.
• Remove the 'live' rule for the first game and just praise wide play.
• Widen the lanes to 8 yards.

• Goals only count after the ball has travelled through a wing lane in that attack.