Attacking Wide or Centrally

This small sided game is designed to provide players with a chance to either work on attacking with width, or exploiting space centrally depending on which team they are on. The game is also very useful if you only have one goalkeeper at training.

UEFA A licensed coach, Dave Wright will outline the practice and some of the key considerations you need to account for depending on the number of players you have available and how you’d like to structure the practice.

About the Video

In the video below, Dave will talk you through the structure of the session, the outcomes for each team, key constraints of the practice and how you can adapt it for your players.

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Additional Information

The structure of this practice lends itself to a number of outcomes, including:

• Crossing and finishing
• Combination play
• Attacking with overloads
• Defending outnumbered
• Variety of finishing
• Emergency defending

Key elements to observe and encourage are:

• Accurate and early crossing
• Quick attacking play
• Desire to defend/intelligent defending
• Accurate finishing

Practice Overview

Interpreting the Diagrams

The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.

If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the Player Development Project Slack Community.

Key For Diagrams

Diagrams

Objectives

This practice is designed to provide players with opportunities to attack and defend in multiple scenarios. Blues have a numerical advantage in possession and are rewarded with 3 points for goals from wide areas. Wingers get a chance to work on their crossing skills. Reds are defending outnumbered, but in attack, have a one player advantage through central areas as the blue wingers cannot come in and defend. Reds can be rewarded with 3 points for one touch finishes (encouraging quick attack and support play).

Organisation

Set up a small sided game with two goals and a halfway line. Be mindful that this can be physically demanding if you make the pitch too big so adapt accordingly. Ensure a good supply of footballs in each goal. Rotate players to allow them to experience attacking with width (blue) or attacking centrally (red). Both teams will have to defend outnumbered. Red defenders can press and win the ball off the blue wingers (meaning they can go outside the lines).

Observations & Interventions

What you might see

• Wingers crossing too slowly
• Opposite winger not attacking
• Rushed attack

Actions you might take

• Restrict wingers to 2-3 touches
• Reward opposite winger with a bonus point for their team if they score a goal
• Encourage patience in possession

Adaptations: Is the session too easy?

• Make the space bigger (for more physical returns)
• Make the space smaller (for more technical returns)

Is the session too hard?

• Adapt the space
• Allow wingers more touches