9v9 Attacking Width and Carries
A 60-minute session for adult squads building wide play, half-space carries, and 1v1 confidence in the attacking third.
⏱Session timeline
▦Session blocks
Wide channel reps
12 minBoth wide channels active simultaneously. Wide player receives, drives at the full-back, executes a skill move or pace beat, crosses. Two strikers finish. 6 reps each side. Full-intensity defending.
Half-space carry pattern
15 minMidfielder carries into half-space. Three options on entry: shoot, cut-back, switch. Opposition has two passive defenders who become active after 8 minutes. Coach calls the quality.
9v9 attacking emphasis
25 min9v9. Scoring: wide player beating a defender and crossing = 1 bonus. Goal from a cut-back = 2pts. Goal from a half-space carry = 2pts. Standard = 1pt. No limit on attempts.
Review
8 minHow many times did we attack the wide channel? How many times did we use the half-space? Were the numbers high enough?
◆What you'll need from yourself
Encouraging carries and dribbles rather than safe passes. Adult amateur squads default to recycling the ball. The bonus scoring incentivises the risk — don't also tell them to play safe.
!Common problems
Wide players not getting the ball. Often a midfielder communication problem — the wide player needs to call and move before the midfielder can find them.