ATTACKING IN WIDE AREAS

SESSION TITLE : ATTACKING IN WIDE AREAS

OBJECTIVES

• coach attacking wide play
• coach a team to create and exploit space in wide areas
• coach forward runs and crossing

ORGANISATION

Use full width of the pitch and 2/3 length to an end zone. As an alternative use, you can section pitch as shown in the second picture below alowwing you to work exclusively on one side in the initial practice.
Teams play in a 8v8 with attacking team set up in a 2-2-3-1 vs defending team in a 1-4-2-1.
No restriction and full laws of the game apply

INSTRUCTIONS

To start practice, the defending No 6 attempts a pass to defending No 10 which is intercepted by Attacking 6. NOTE: Condition attacking team to play initial pass to the wide areas quickly.
Game will be restarted from the end line by the feeder playing a pass in.
Attacking team score in the main goal while defending team score by running ball under control over the end zone or passing into the feeder via link with their No 10.

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Discuss forward runs of full back to support – why, when and where
• Overlapping or underlapping runs of full backs (Trigger positioning of Wide attacking midfielder)
• Wide attacking midfielder invert infield to create space for the wide back to overlap (Trigger near side CB or HM on the ball)
• Positioning of full backs to stretch midfield line
• Link play and 3rd man runs following combination play between full back, wide attacking midfielder and any other centrally placed player.
• Forward runs of wide midfielders – why, when and where
• Cross over movement of wide midfielder and central midfielder so central player can exploit wide space
• Overload one side to exploit the other via a quick switch of play
• Encourage creativity and 1v1 dribbling, RWTB, take ons, feints, cod, start and stops
• Cross to second six yard area
• Crossing opportunities and which cross pass option to use
• 1) in behind defence line (early/deep cross)
• 2) in/around defence line towards penalty spot ( normal cross) and
• 3) in front of defence line on the edge (cut back)

DIFFERENT PICTURES

Crossing types – early, normal and cut back
Overlapping and underlapping runs
Crossovers and takeovers

PROGRESSION / VARIATIONS

Progress to phase of play