Thread: How to Utilize Width and Length in Soccer: Key Principles In
and Out of Possession
1/ Width and Length in Soccer
Width refers to spreading the play across the full width of the field,
while length refers to stretching the field vertically from back to
front. Both are crucial to creating space and controlling the game,
but their application differs in and out of possession.
2/ In Possession: Using Width
•Key Goal: Stretch the opposition horizontally.
•Wide players (e.g., wingers, full-backs) hug the touchline to:
•Create space centrally for midfielders and strikers.
•Pull defenders out of position.
•Enable quick switches of play to exploit gaps.
•Tip: Overlap runs from full-backs or underlapping runs from
midfielders amplify width’s effectiveness.
3/ In Possession: Using Length
•Key Goal: Stretch the opposition vertically.
•Players make runs in behind to force defenders to drop deeper.
•Holding midfielders or defenders stay back to maintain balance and
recycle possession.
•Tip: Early long balls or diagonal passes can exploit high defensive
lines.
4/ Width and Length: The Synergy
•Stretching the field both horizontally and vertically opens passing
lanes, isolates defenders, and creates 1v1 situations.
•Example: Winger stays wide (width) while striker makes a diagonal
run in behind (length), forcing defenders into difficult decisions.
5/ Out of Possession: Denying Width
•Key Goal: Condense the field horizontally to block passing options.
•Full-backs or wingers tuck in to form a compact shape.
•Force opponents into the crowded central areas where it’s harder to
progress. •Tip: Maintain awareness of wide switches and be ready to
shift as a unit.
6/ Out of Possession: Denying Length
•Key Goal: Compact the field vertically.
•Defenders push up to reduce space between the lines (defense,
midfield, attack).
•Strikers drop slightly to block passing lanes to deeper playmakers.
•Tip: A high defensive line can suffocate space but is vulnerable to
quick balls over the top.
7/ Transition Moments: The Game Changer
•Transitions (winning or losing possession) are where width and
length are often exploited.
•On offense: Quickly stretch the field both ways to attack
disorganized defenses.
•On defense: Compress immediately to deny space and delay the
counterattack.
8/ Key Differences In and Out of Possession
•In Possession: Aim to stretch the field (create space).
•Out of Possession: Aim to condense the field (deny space).
•This tug-of-war dictates how effectively a team can control the
game.
9/ Practical Tips for Coaches
•In Training:
•Use wide zones and vertical channels to teach players spatial
awareness.
•Practice switching play to exploit width.
•Train defensive units on staying compact without losing shape.
•During Matches:
•Adjust width and depth based on game state (e.g., wider when
chasing a goal, compact when defending a lead).
10/ Conclusion
Mastering width and length is about understanding when and how to
stretch or compress the field. The best teams seamlessly adapt their
approach based on possession, creating and denying space as
needed.
