Find the Wide Pass
A 4v3 practice for 7v7 teams. Help your players spread out, give their goalkeeper a passing option, and find a way through pressure.
Find the Wide Pass
Spread out
The goalkeeper starts on the ball. Three teammates find space against three defenders.
One way to find space. Players can use either gate and choose to pass or dribble.
Set it up
Mark a space about 30 yards wide and 25 yards long, with a goal at one end. Put two 3-yard cone gates near the corners at the other end. Leave another 5 yards beyond the gates for a teammate to receive. One goalkeeper and three teammates attack the gates against three opponents.
- Cones
- Two colors of bibs
- A few balls
- One secured goal
Run the practice
- Start with the goalkeeper on the ball. The three teammates spread out to offer passing options. Opponents can press as soon as play starts.
- The goalkeeper's team scores one point by passing through either gate to a teammate who controls the ball beyond it, or by dribbling through a gate under control. A loose ball through a gate does not count.
- If the three opponents win the ball, they counterattack and try to score in the main goal. The other team can win it back and keep playing toward the gates.
- Restart with the goalkeeper after a point, a goal, or the ball going out. Encourage players to try either side rather than repeat a set passing pattern.
- Play five 3-minute rounds. Swap roles between rounds so everyone gets to attack and defend. Offer players a turn in goal too.
What to coach
- Move where the player with the ball can see you. Avoid standing behind an opponent.
- Look before the ball arrives. Use a first touch that gives you space for your next pass or dribble.
- After passing, move again to help. If one gate is crowded, look toward the other.
- Ask: Where is the space? Give players time to try their own answer.
Change the challenge
If players struggle to keep the ball, widen the area or let the goalkeeper take the first pass without pressure. When they can play out consistently, narrow the gates. Keep both passing and dribbling as ways to score.
Behind this practice
An original ULTRAIN exercise and diagram. U.S. Soccer’s age-group guidance informed the small-sided format and focus on players finding their own solutions. This is not an official U.S. Soccer session.
Take the plan onto the field.
Schedule practice, see who’s coming, and keep your team in the loop with the free ULTRAIN app.