Winger 1v1 — Wide Channel
The wide player taking on a full-back is one of the defining moments of any match.
◆Why this drill works
The wide player taking on a full-back is one of the defining moments of any match. The technique is specific: hold ball on outside of foot, show defender the ball to invite the press, then accelerate past with an explosive first step. This drill isolates that sequence in a realistic wide channel, giving the winger the exact width and depth they'll face in a match rather than an open, unrestricted space that doesn't reflect the real decision. Inviting the press deliberately, rather than avoiding contact, is the counterintuitive part players need to learn — a winger who shrinks away from the defender never creates the one-on-one moment at all, whereas showing the ball just close enough to draw a committed challenge is what creates the gap to accelerate into. Progressing the defender from 70% to full pace over the course of the drill also matters: at 70% the winger can build confidence in the technique, and only once that's secure does the drill test whether the move actually holds up against a defender moving at match intensity.
◇Variations and progressions
- Both channels, both feet — rotate wingers through the opposite channel so they practise taking on defenders on their weaker side too.
- Delayed second defender — add a covering defender who arrives a beat late, testing whether the winger's decision-making changes when recovery cover is present.
- Cut inside option — explicitly reward the cut-inside finish as well as the cross, so wingers don't default to one option regardless of what the defender gives them.
- Score for the sell — award a bonus point purely for a convincing invite-and-press sequence, even if the final action doesn't produce a goal, to reinforce the technique itself.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- Mark two wide channels on either side, 8m wide, 25m long.
- Winger starts with ball at top of channel. Defender starts 2m ahead facing winger.
- Winger dribbles forward, inviting press. Defender closes at 70%. Winger identifies decisive moment and drives past.
- After winger passes defender: deliver cross or cut inside for shot. Finish the action.
- Progress: defender at full pace. Both channels run simultaneously.
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Head up to see the space beyond the defender
- Protecting the ball with the body when challenged
- A genuine invite that draws the defender into a committed challenge
Correct when you see
- No change of pace after the move — the acceleration beats them
- Head down, unaware of support or space around
- Rushing the take-on before the defender has actually committed to the press
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Build dribbling channels. | Check price → |
| Value | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Close-control reps. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Agility Poles (set) | Weave and turn drills. | Check price → |
As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices shown on Amazon at time of click.