7v7 Soccer: Five-Lane Rule in Attack

A 7v7 soccer game on a field split into five long lanes, where two attackers from the same team cannot share a lane at the same height. Students work on width, spacing, and creating passing lanes.

How to play

1. Split the field (55 x 38 yd) into five lanes about 8 yd wide with disc cones: two wide lanes, two half-spaces, and the center; teams of 7 with a goalkeeper (2 min).
2. 6v6 keep-away without goals (4 min): 8 passes in a row is 1 point; stop play when two teammates share a lane and ask who should move.
3. Game with the rule (2 x 6 min): if two attackers share a lane and height when a teammate receives, the other team gets a throw-in. A goal after a wide-to-inside pass counts double.
4. Tactical time-out (2 min): each team lays out its lane plan with discs and decides who holds the width.
5. Free final game (4 min): waiting players count how often all five lanes are used.

Rules

• The rule only applies to the attacking team.
• Every field player must step into at least two lanes per half.
• No tackling from behind and no slide tackles.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: fixed wide support player with 3 seconds unpressured to pass.
• Visual impairment or attention needs: lanes in different colors and one assigned color as a reference.
• Lower fitness: plays the center lane in his or her own half with free substitutions.

Learning goals

• Use the full width to stretch the defense.
• Move into the open lane to create a passing option.
• Adjust the team's spacing during the game.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Soccer balls: 6
• Goals: 2
• Pinnies: 14
• Flat disc cones: 24
• Whistle: 1

Teacher tip

At first everyone crowds the middle; ask instead of correcting: "Where is the field open?" Alternating two disc colors makes the lanes easy to see.

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