Possession "Creating Width "

Training a Team to Move the Ball Horizontally to Spread the Defense Apart

Purpose:	Width is the ability of a team to create space by spreading the field horizontally. A team that can spread the field creates seams by spreading the defense apart. A team that excels in creating space can fill the space effectively, playing on diagonals and possessing around the opponent. By playing the way they face, they will play quickly, eventually receiving while facing the goal for easy opportunities.
Equipment:	Cones, pinnies, balls.
Progression:	Unrestricted: The session begins with no pressure and a series of passes that encourages support on the ball and width by the player off the ball. After the touch the players learn to spin out and face their own goal after the initial check in and lay off in support Restricted: The session moves to a 3v3 game with the neutrals restricted to the lines moving in and out of the game. Width is demanded by the restriction that they players stay on the line. One goal with counters: The game progresses to 5v5 with no neutrals but with zones the players must pass into and possess. They are now forced to think and manipulate themselves and their teammates into both zones creating width, spreading the defense apart intentionally. Two goals: All restrictions are removed, the players play 5v5 and can score at any time, but are encouraged to possess and incorporate the principles of play to possess for quality opportunites
Coaching Points:	Create width by getting a player wide on each side Use length to spread the defense Check to the ball in seams Play the way you face After supporting, spin out to face the goal Support on diagonals Make runs off the ball to spread the defense Intentionally move wide to bring the defense with you Play quick, “pull em in, then play it out” Play on diagonals never flat Don’t play into corners Receive across your body Use two touch.

THE SESSION

Activity	Setup
Three a group passing #1 passes short to #2 checking in #2 lays ball back to #1 who is supporting his first pass #1 then plays 3 with a leading pass #2 spins out going forward Coaching Points: After playing a ball, spin out, get wide If off the ball, be wide in support

Three a group passing 1 plays 2 who is checking to ball 2 lays back to one supporting supporting on a good angle 2 spins out, and runs down line 1 plays 2 who plays 3 repeat Coaching Points: Check to, lay back spin out Support on an angle that lets you play back to the receiver

3v3 +2N's to six goals Play to small goals in a 40x35 The team in possession tries to find both neutrals on the wings (N) (they can and should move) After you find both wings you can go to goal After a pass to the wing, the wing dribbles in and the passer goes out. Keep score Coaching Points: Play on diagonals- do not play flat Use width to create space, the play quick Get long, then check back in seams Do not get stuck in corners After playing to support spin out to face the goal

5 v 5 to small goals Remove the restriction of Neutrals on the lines Must pass into and possess in both wings before going to goal. Coaching Points Build off of previous game, but now players must consciously get wide. Once in possession wide, look to play on diagonals to stay out of corners and maintain possession Play quick, establish length and width, the fill space created.

5v5 to goal No restrictions, just play Coaching Points Look to created width and use it Create length, then check to the ball in seams Play the way you face Play on diagonals Use width, to open up the game. Can you create space, then fill it Do not play flat balls. It can be seen on the right that as the players use width to spread the defense the ball moves from the right to left, then is played back where it started. Of course as the ball moves to the left the defense will shifts with the ball creating even more seams for off the ball runs.	The ball begins on the right, moves diagonally all the way to the left, and then is played back to the original possessor for an easy shot on frame.