U11–U12 practice: use the width of the field

Your practice, minute by minute

1. 0–10minutes

   Arrival game

   Let players join a small game as they arrive. Observe the theme before giving instructions. Use extra fields to keep teams small.

2. 10–22minutes

   Three-player overlap decision

   Pass wide. The supporting runner overlaps outside the receiver, who chooses to pass into the run or carry inside. Walk back and rotate the roles.

   Open setup & variations ↗
3. 22–34minutes

   Switch through a supporting teammate

   Score at either of two end gates. When one side is crowded, use a deeper support player to switch to the other lane. Keep the game moving.

   Open setup & variations ↗
4. 34–46minutes

   Find a wide supporting player

   Use wide support to move around central pressure, then return inside when a route opens. Rotate neutral roles so everyone experiences the wide view.

   Open setup & variations ↗
5. 46–52minutes

   Drinks and transitions

   Distribute this time between activities. Add further breaks whenever players or conditions require; shorten activities to keep the session within its planned length.

6. 52–72minutes

   Final game

   Play a normal small-sided game. Look for width decisions without requiring a particular number of passes. Rotate teammates and roles.

7. 72–75minutes

   Player reflection

   Ask each pair to share one useful decision and one thing to try next time. Gather equipment together and follow the team’s pickup procedure.

Your coaching focus

Width should open a passing lane, not isolate a child at the touchline. Ask whether the wide player is close enough to stay involved.

Adapt for U11–U12

Ask players to explain the options they saw. Build pressure gradually, rotate responsibilities, and finish with a game in which the coaching theme can appear without a forced passing rule.

If attendance or space changes

• With fewer players, keep the same theme and use pairs or 2v2 instead of waiting for a full team.
• With more players, duplicate a field or station rather than adding a long queue.
• If an activity is too hard, use its easier variation before changing the entire session.
• Treat these timings as a plan, not a requirement to continue when conditions are unsuitable.

After practice

Write down one example of the theme appearing in the final game and one obstacle players encountered. Repeat the useful activity next week with a small adjustment. A familiar game can reveal progress more clearly than a completely new session.