Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): EKU IDP-Style Final Third Drill

11 v 11

Evidence Base

Cutbacks and Delivery:

Performance analytics consistently show:

• Crosses from near the byline (low cutbacks) produce higher expected goals (xG) than deep lofted crosses.

• Cutbacks create clearer shooting angles due to defensive collapse toward the six-yard box.

Opta and StatsBomb event data (2018–2023 aggregated league reports) show:

• Low crosses from inside the box result in approximately 2–3x higher shot conversion probability than high aerial crosses from deep.

• Central cutback zones (zone 14 / penalty spot) generate high-quality shot locations.

Academic support:
Liu et al. (2016, European Journal of Sport Science) found that successful teams create more shots from central areas following wide penetrations.

Pulling et al. (2018, International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport) showed that crosses delivered closer to the goal line significantly increase shot quality compared to early crosses.

Progressive Carries & Wide Isolation:

Recent tactical analysis literature shows that:

• Wide progression is a major source of final-third entries in elite teams.

• Successful teams use wide overload-to-isolate patterns to create 1v1 scenarios.

Rein & Memmert (2016, Journal of Sports Sciences) highlighted that attacking success is strongly associated with entering the final third through wide channels before penetrating centrally.

Industry data (StatsBomb 2022 positional analysis reports):

• Wingers rank highest in progressive carries into the box.
• Wide players contribute disproportionately to shot assists from wide zones.

Coordinated Runs Increase Shot Probability

Studies examining goal-scoring patterns show:

• Goals often result from coordinated multi-lane box occupation.

• Near-post, central, and far-post staggered runs increase defensive disorganisation.

Sarmento et al. (2018, International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport) found that successful attacking sequences frequently involve multiple runners attacking different vertical zones.

Tenga et al. (2010, Journal of Sports Sciences) showed that penetration followed by immediate support in central zones increases likelihood of successful outcomes.

General Stats:

• Wide players perform a high proportion of high-intensity actions in the final third compared to central players (Bradley et al., 2013; Bush et al., 2015).
• Cutbacks from near the byline produce higher shot quality than aerial crosses from deeper areas (Pulling et al., 2018; Opta event data reports).
• Successful attacking sequences involve multi-lane box occupation and staggered arrival timing (Sarmento et al., 2018).
• Final-third penetration through wide areas is strongly associated with goal-scoring opportunities (Rein & Memmert, 2016).

IDP Drill10 mins

BLOCK 1
ORGANISATION – BYLINE CROSS

• CAM dribbles forward centrally from outside the box and plays into the CF.

• CF sets the ball wide into the winger’s path and immediately spins to attack the near post.

• Ball-side winger receives on the move, attacks the outside shoulder, drives to the byline, and delivers a driven cross across the six-yard box.

• Opposite winger attacks the far post.

• CAM continues run to the edge of the box or penalty spot for second contact.

BLOCK 2

ORGANISATION – CUTBACK

• CAM plays centrally into the CF.

• CF sets the ball into the wide channel and makes a front-post decoy run before adjusting central.

• Ball-side winger drives into the box toward the byline and pulls the ball back toward the penalty spot.

• CAM delays run and arrives late at the edge of the box.

• Opposite winger attacks back post for rebound or secondary finish.

BLOCK 3

ORGANISATION – DEEP CROSS

• CAM switches or plays early into the wide area.

• CF checks short to draw defender, then spins in behind.

• Ball-side winger receives deeper and delivers an early cross from outside the box within two touches.

• CAM supports edge of the area for second ball.

• Opposite winger makes a far-post diagonal run.

BLOCK 4

ORGANISATION – CUT INSIDE + SHOOT

• CAM plays into the CF centrally.

• CF either pins the centre back or sets the ball wide before holding central space.

• Ball-side winger receives wide, cuts inside onto stronger foot, and shoots or combines with CF.

• CAM makes opposite movement to CF, either running beyond or supporting edge of the box.

• Opposite winger positions at the far post for rebounds.