ATTACKING RUNS

We set up in an area of 40x44yds. The goalkeeper clips a diagonal ball into the opposite goalkeeper, who catches and rolls it for the winger running on to the ball. If the initial pass is poor, the goalkeeper can just roll the ball in.

The winger runs at high speed to attack the ball and cross. Two middle players attack the box and must cross over before attacking goal, looking at the movement of the winger to attack different areas of the box [1a]. 

[1a]

1. Goalkeeper passes to opposite side goalkeeper
2. Opposite side goalkeeper catches and rolls to winger
3. Winger attacks ball and crosses

4. Blue central players must cross over in their runs and then attack the goal

The blues must now transition to defend quickly in a 3v2, with three reds joining to attack [1b].

The blues are allowed one transition if they regain the ball. The practice resets when the ball goes out.

We can then progress this to allow the blue wide player to transition and recover to become a defender and create a 3v3 situation [1c].    

We would run this for four rounds of three minutes with a one minute rest. After two rounds the practice will start on the opposite wing for the cross.

[1b]

1. Three reds attack
2. Blue central players must transition to defence

[1c]

1. Three reds attack
2. Blue winger joins blue central players in transition to defence

coaching points

What are the key things to look out for?

We are looking for:

• Quality and variety of crosses (early, driven, cutbacks)
• Well-timed and intelligent forward runs
• High-speed recovery efforts and defensive commitment in transition
• Disciplined defending when underloaded, especially in protecting central areas
• Effective communication across units, including with the goalkeeper
• Goalkeepers claiming crosses confidently and distributing purposefully.

Ask yourself:

• Are wide players delivering with quality and purpose?
• Are attackers timing their runs effectively to attack different zones?
• Do players transition quickly and smartly, prioritising central spaces?
• Are players showing game understanding in their positioning to attack the ball and react on transition?
• Are goalkeepers commanding the box, dealing with crosses confidently, and starting counter-attacks with clean, accurate distribution?

Here are some specific areas to coach:

• Cues and triggers for attacking runs and crossing decisions
• Body shape and contact quality when finishing or delivering crosses
• Transition reactions: roles, distances, and communication after loss of possession
• Goalkeeper positioning, decision-making when to come and claim, and distribution technique (rolled, clipped, or driven passes to wide area).

What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?

There are some elements of this session players tend to find particularly challenging:

• Maintaining technical quality under fatigue: Delivering or finishing crosses late in the session, staying composed and accurate while sprinting
• Transition defending when outnumbered: Making the right decision to delay, not dive in; recovering central spaces before engaging wide threats
• Reading and timing runs: Misjudging the cross or arriving too early/late into key zones
• Attacking the same space as a teammate (spacing issues)
• Goalkeepers dealing with traffic in the box when claiming crosses, judging the flight of the ball from the longer pass
• Accurate distribution decisions from goalkeepers.