"How do I teach my players to spread out?" is a common question from newer, less experienced coaches. It's a great question. After all, WIDTH is one of the 5 principles of attacking play. Every team in the world, albeit differently, looks to make the field as big as possible when they are in possession. The above photo taken in 2012 at the Nou Camp shows that Barca are preparing themsleves to stretch the field from kick off. It is something that we should be encouraging our players to understand from U8 onwards.
But how do we do that? The following Small Sided Games offer visual aids and triggers that suit players at their age group. It will help them understand how important width is in creating goal scoring opportunities.
U8 - 6 Goal Game
Set Up
Set up a 3 v 3 game, with the field 30 yards wide and 20 yards long. Each team has 3 goals to score in.
Progressions
Make it, take it - If a team scores, they collect a ball from behind their own goals and start attacking immediately (shown)
Players must score with their left foot in the left sided goal and right foot in the right sided goal
The central goal is worth 2 points
Why it works
Making the field wide as opposed to long forces players to find space in the wide areas of the field. 3 goals allows players to see clear benefits of using width as a way to score. 3 v 3 means minimal obstructions and more likelihood of receiving the ball in a game. For players who need challenging, this can be made into a 4 v 4.
U10 - Crossing and Finishing Game
Set Up
Set up a field that is 36 yards long and 20 yards wide. 2 teams of 4 (inc.GK) are needed and a neutral winger starts on either side of the field. The field is split into 2 halves, with a 2 v 2 in each half. Players are not allowed to enter the other half. Teams look to get the ball out to one of the wide players, who can cross from where they see fit.
Progressions
One of the defending players joins the attack, making it a 3 v 2 for the cross (shown)
A defender can go out to the wide man, creating a 1 v 1
The wide player can cut inside and shoot/play a through ball
Why it works
Players get to understand the positional benefit of being a winger and staying out on the touchline, namely the chance to cross, cut inside and open up space for the central players to make their runs. 4 v 4 plus neutrals allows players to see the pictures without providing too much obstruction. Wingers get to see the opportunity to attack space inside when on the ball if the defenders come out and press them.
U12 - Switching Play Game
Set Up
Set up a field with 5 cones placed along the halfway line. Alow 8-10 yards of space between the end cones and the sidelines. The ball cannot travel through the cones, only through the channels between the cones and sidelines. Players can run through the coned area. If the ball travels through, the opposition are awarded an indirect free kick.
Progressions
Create 4 quarters and a allow a diagonal pass from one quarter to another (shown)
Players can move the ball through the cones with a 1-2
Why it works
At U12 players are starting to develop their understanding ofthe field as a whole. With more players on the field at U12, teams will have to come up with alternative solutions to break opponents down. The progressions allow for an alternative way of switching play (long diagonal pass) and exploiting a switch (playing centrally). Players have clear visual aids that help them see the triggers.