Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Friday Attacking In The Final Third U15B T3W5

Switching Play to Cross & Finish

Switching Play to Cross & Finish Passing Pattern (3-5-2)

Function

Places players in set starting positions:
Right Winger (RW), Striker (S) x2, Left Winger (LW), and Centre Midfielder (CM) x2.

Players pass in the following pattern: LW → CM → RW → Cross.

The Centre Midfielder plays a pass into the space in front of the Right Winger.

The Right Winger drives toward the goal line before pulling the ball back into the box.

Movement And Forward Runs To Attack The Cross:

Nearest Striker: Diagonal run across the box to the front post.

Furthest Striker: S-bend, delay the run, and attack the penalty spot.

Left Winger: Attack the the back of the penalty area.

Nearest Centre Midfielder: Arrive at the edge of the box for rebounds or clearances.

Furthest Centre Midfielder: Straight run to attack the far post.

Rotate the direction of the pattern after each turn or at set intervals.

Coaching Points

Weight and accuracy of pass when switching play.

Play into space so the Winger can run onto the ball.

Ball Speed: play at game speed and switch play quickly.

Movement and runs to create space and time arrivals into the box. Stagger arrivals to increase goal-scoring opportunities.

Timing of Runs: Don’t wait for the cross—arrive at the same time as the ball

Crossing: Cut the ball back away from the goalkeeper. Note: You can’t be offside from a cut-back.

Finishing: Use laces for power, inside of the foot for accuracy.

Creating Overloads in Wide Areas

Creating Overloads in Wide Areas

Function
Create a wide channel approximately the width of the distance from the penalty box to the sideline.
Player 1 (Centre Back / Centre Midfielder) passes to Player 2 (Full Back / Winger).
Upon receiving the ball, Player 2 should drive into the wide channel and perform a skill move to beat the mannequin. They should then look to deliver a cross for the Striker and the No. 10, who have made attacking runs from outside the box.

Progression / Variation

Add one defender and one attacker inside the wide channel to create a 1v1 situation. Player 2 receives the ball from Player 1 and passes into Player 3, who attempts to beat the defender before delivering a cross for the two attacking players in the middle.

Player 2 receives the ball from Player 1 and dribbles into the wide channel, creating a 2v1 overload. The winger and full back combine to deliver a cross for the Striker and the No. 10.

Place a mini goal at the edge of the wide channel. If the defender wins the ball, they attempt to score in the mini goal.

Coaching Points

Creating Overloads: Players should be encouraged to recognise opportunities to create numerical advantages, increasing the likelihood of delivering a quality cross.

Positivity in Possession: Wide players should be confident and assertive upon receiving the ball in the wide channel. They are encouraged to attack the space quickly to exploit 2v1 situations.

Pass Detail & Accuracy: Passes should be played slightly ahead of the receiving player to allow for forward momentum and a positive first touch.

Ball Speed: Passes must be played with sufficient pace. Slow passes reduce the ability to exploit space and limit effective attacking opportunities.

Delivery: Look to cross from closer to the goal line to encourage attacking players to make overlapping and underlapping runs, as well as to create opportunities for cutbacks.

Movement: Use varied movement, including double movements, to create space for underlaps, overlaps, passing lanes, and receiving opportunities.