Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 50: Showing for the Ball – Wingers & Strikers

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Last training week trained how the centre-backs, full-backs and holding midfielders show for the ball and get free. This week, too, is about movement off the ball. Because the holding midfielder can get involved in the build-up in very different ways, a 2nd session on how the defensive midfielder shows for the ball and gets free is held.

The 2nd and 3rd sessions of this week then continue with the players who are not directly involved in the build-up. The strikers and wingers will learn and practise ways of showing for the ball in depth.

The defenders and holding midfielders can move the ball around as well as they like in the build-up, but without passing options in depth, passing becomes an end in itself. That is why it is important that the strikers and wingers make themselves available by getting out of the opponents' cover shadows. This is not about the players in the final third coming a long way towards their team-mates or even collecting the ball there. On the contrary, the strikers and wingers should make the pitch deep to create space. However, the players in depth should spot the gaps in the opposition midfield and show for the ball in them.

Depending on your own and the opponent's system and style of play, there are very different ways of playing the ball forward. But there are also a handful of pointers for showing for the ball and getting free in depth that are always useful:

  • Move between opponents to avoid being clearly picked up. The opposing defenders are forced to pass on responsibility again and again. If none of the defenders clearly takes on the receiver in depth, he may even be able to turn.
  • Players in depth should not come towards the pass further than necessary. This gives the striker or winger time to carry out a follow-up action, because the opposition midfielders have further to go to double up. But there is one exception: If the attacker deliberately wants to tear a gap in the opposition line, he comes a long way towards the ball to pull his direct opponent with him.
  • Use running feints: This allows receivers to create distance from their opponent in order to control the ball in an open body position. Alternatively, a running feint can also be used to be found directly in behind. For this, the winger or striker comes towards the passer and then suddenly runs in behind.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

As mentioned in the last session of the previous training week, the holding midfielder has many ways of showing for the ball in the build-up. The focus there was mainly on options for how the holding midfielder can show for a centre-back. For example, by the holding midfielder showing in the gap, moving away against the direction of the shift, or by the ball-side holding midfielder going and the far-side holding midfielder coming.

The holding midfield position requires very good awareness and constant scanning, because the holding midfielder can come under pressure from any side. If a holding midfielder does not keep enough of an eye on what is happening in the game, this can lead to an unexpected loss of possession. In the holding midfield position during the build-up, this is particularly unfavourable, because the player's own team is spread out wide and the opponents now have possession in a central position.

To avoid such losses of possession in the build-up, good awareness and scanning are needed. But the way the player shows for the ball and gets free also plays a part. Holding midfielders often put themselves under heavy pressure by constantly operating in a closed body position and running straight towards the defender in possession. As a result, the holding midfielder neither knows what is going on behind them nor is able to take the ball sideways, let alone open to the direction of play.

The holding midfielder should therefore operate in a half-open body position, especially when there is no opponent behind. This way, the holding midfielder keeps an eye on play further forward as well as on the defenders in possession. In addition, the holding midfielder should avoid always shifting across in line with the ball without thinking. Because then the holding midfielder will rarely get into a good starting position for continuing play forward, and will unintentionally close the passing lanes to the team-mates further forward.

Coaching points for this session
  • Show for the ball in varied ways (far side comes short, ball-side goes; show for the ball in the gaps, show against the direction of the shift, dropping holding midfielder, form a staggered shape in depth) instead of simply shifting with the ball
  • Scan in advance
  • Operate in a half-open/open body position
Drill 1

Passing: Central Passing Point with a Fast Passing Sequence

15 min
  • The central players break out of the middle and show for the ball to an outer player.
  • The outer player passes to a central player, follows the pass into the centre and takes over the central position there.
  • The central player who has received the ball passes anticlockwise to the next outer player and joins the queue there.
  • The passing sequence continues in this way: outside, centre, outside.

Variations:

  • Practise clockwise.
  • Play the passing sequence alternately diagonally and sideways: the central player turns and passes to the opposite side, then as before again.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form an outer square, four poles an inner one.

Equipment: 4 cones, 4 poles and 2 balls.

Players: Two players in the centre and at least two players at each outer cone. The players at two diagonally opposite outer cones have a ball.

Coaching points
  • Demand calls.
  • Get free with a preparatory movement.
  • Control the ball and play it on quickly.
  • Drop away first and then move towards the ball.
Drill 2

Finding the Line with a Finish

15 minTwo rectangles of 8 x 4 metres each

Variation 1:

  • Player B determines the direction by dropping away to one side.
  • Player C shows for the ball on the other side.
  • Player A passes to Player C, who lays the ball off to Player B.
  • Player B passes to Player D.
  • Player D takes the ball with the right or left foot and finishes; then this player rejoins the queue.
  • Player A moves into the first rectangle, Player B into the second and Player C goes to the target cone.

Variation 2: Same sequence as in Variation 1, but Player D does not finish, instead laying the ball off to Player C; Player C finishes after one touch.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones form two rectangles; behind them stands a mini goal.

Equipment: 1 mini goal, 6 cones and several balls.

Players: There is one player in each rectangle; plus Players A, C and D.

Coaching points
  • Player B drops away to one side in an open body position.
  • Player A dribbles forward and plays the ball firmly to Player C.
  • Player B follows the ball as soon as Player A has played the pass.
  • Make sure the tempo is close to a match situation.
  • Demand calls.
Drill 3

Endurance Course II

25 minFull pitch
  • The first group runs to the left, the second to the right.
  • After one lap they change over.
  • The second group collects the balls at the halfway line and puts them down in the middle after one lap.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: An endurance course across the whole pitch: in one half there are an agility ladder, a hurdle section, a ring section and a slalom row, in the other half a dribbling section with tricks, a tall cone slalom, a one-two station and a sprint section with a finish. There is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, about 20 cones, 1 bench, hoops, 1 agility ladder, jumping hurdles and several balls.

Players: Two groups that go through the course in opposite directions.

Coaching points
  • Make sure the exercises are carried out cleanly.
  • Carry out the individual exercises at a medium to fast tempo.
  • Dribble or run gently between the stations.
Drill 4

Finishing Drill with a Start in the Forest of Poles

20 minHalf a pitch
  • The drill starts with the player to the right of the goal.
  • This player plays a one-two with the middle player from the same row.
  • Then this player dribbles through the forest of poles.
  • Afterwards this player finishes at the goal opposite.

Variations:

  • Carry out a feint at a marker in the centre.
  • Specify the finishing technique — left or right foot, laces or inside of the foot.
  • Play a one-two with the goalkeeper as the opening action.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark the playing area, in the centre stands a forest of poles; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, 6 cones, poles and several balls.

Players: There is one player at each cone; plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Keep the ball close.
  • Dribble with both feet.
  • Change pace after the first pass of the one-two.
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Session 2

4 drills

Now that showing for the ball and getting free has been practised for all the positions directly involved in the build-up, the focus moves on to the players further forward. These include the wingers, the number tens and the strikers. Today's session works on how the wide midfielders or wide forwards show for the ball and get free.

In the build-up they usually position themselves very wide in order to pull the opposing back line apart. However, if the full-backs operate somewhat higher, for example because the team plays with a dynamic back three, the wide players tuck inside. Nevertheless, the system only gives the players a rough guide. To be available for a pass, the player ultimately has to react to the situation at hand and get out of the cover shadow of their opponents.

  • If the passing lane along the line is blocked, the wide player can move inside into the half-space to become available for a pass. This option often arises against a 4-4-2, because the half-spaces are very easy to play into there. The wide player should break explosively into the gap, in order to be able to take the ball sideways inside or even forwards. The important thing here is that the ball is taken with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • If a central midfielder makes a forward run and drags their opponent along, the wide player can move inside into midfield. The wide midfielder can receive a pass and turn. If, on the other hand, the opposing full-back follows, the team's own full-back can make a run in behind and be found with a chipped ball.
  • If the ball can be played along the line, it should ideally be possible to receive it open to the direction of play. The winger can use running feints for this. The winger fakes a run in behind and then suddenly moves away diagonally outwards and backwards. The ball can now be received with the front foot and the winger can dribble straight at the opponent.
  • Alternatively, the winger can also use a running feint to receive the ball in behind. This option is particularly helpful when the opposing full-back marks very tightly. To do this, the winger comes towards the player in possession, but then makes an explosive burst in behind. The wide player can now be found in behind the defence, either directly or through a third player.
  • From a wide position, the winger is very well placed to run into the gap between the opposing full-back and centre-back. To do this, the winger sets off from the touchline towards the opposing full-back to build up speed. As the ball is played, the winger then runs in behind and receives a pass through the gap.
Coaching points for this session
  • Get out of the cover shadow (drop away wide or move into the half-space)
  • Opponent directly behind: control the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Use a running feint to receive the ball in behind or to be able to control the ball facing the direction of play
  • Attack the gaps from a wide position in order to be able to pick up speed
  • Changes of position with central midfielders
Drill 1

Warm-Up Course

15 min
  • The red player passes the ball to the yellow player.
  • The red player then runs with skipping steps over the hurdles to the other side.
  • The yellow player passes the ball back and runs with side steps through the cones to the other side, so that the ball is always kept moving and a rotation is created.

Variations:

  • Play the ball only with the left or only with the right.
  • Play with one or two touches.
  • Run clockwise or anticlockwise.
  • Run backwards through the cones.
  • Jump sideways over the hurdles.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four hurdles as well as four red and four yellow cones form a rotation.

Equipment: 4 hurdles, 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Red and yellow players facing one another.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to good passes.
  • Also build commands into the drill.
Drill 2

Passing Combination on the Wing

20 min40 x 50 metres
  • Player A passes out to the wing to Player B, who has got free with a preparatory movement forward, breaks off the run and shows for the short pass.
  • Player B turns and passes to Player C.
  • Player C controls the ball, takes it in their stride and joins the other group.
  • The same sequence runs there.

Variations: Change the direction of play after half the time.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the area.

Equipment: 4 cones and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C on each side.

Coaching points
  • Player A plays the pass with appropriate firmness.
  • Player B controls the ball with the outside foot and takes it straight in the direction of movement.
Drill 3

Passing Drill: Building Up Play Down the Wings

20 min
  • The centre-back switches play; the ball is then played to the full-back.
  • The full-back plays the ball to the winger moving inside into the centre.
  • The winger lays the ball off to the holding midfielder.

Variations: The holding midfielder follows up with a lofted ball to the full-back, who plays the ball back as a lofted ball to the far-side centre-back position.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: Two centre-backs, one full-back, one winger and one holding midfielder.

Coaching points
  • The winger moves away from the wing and receives the ball in the half-space in order to open up the path for the overlapping full-back.
  • Switch the ball quickly.
  • Play the ball into the full-back's front foot.
  • The winger takes the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Carry out all actions with a maximum of two touches wherever possible.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game: Positional Attack on the Wing

20 min
  • The number 5 dribbles forward diagonally and passes to the number 9, who comes towards the ball.
  • The number 9 lays the ball off to the number 6, who plays a pass into the gap for the number 11 setting off.
  • The number 11 dribbles at high speed towards the goal line and crosses to the number 9 and the number 10, who attack the near post and the far post as well as the penalty spot.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions, two poles form a passing gate; in addition one goal.

Equipment: Cones, 2 poles, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: The players in positions 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 as well as a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Demand a high dribbling speed from the number 11.
  • The drill is not static: all positions are on the move — preparatory movement and timing when setting off into the spaces.
  • Demand a hard, accurate pass into the middle.
  • The finish is taken with the inside of the foot or with the head.

Session 3

4 drills

The 6th and final session on the main topic of showing for the ball and getting free deals with the striker's position. The central attacker is hard to bring into play, because they operate in the opponents' most tightly guarded space – between the opponents' central midfielders and centre-backs.

The forwards can be found either in front of the opponents' defence or in behind it. For the first option, the striker has to keep getting free from behind the midfielders. To do this, the central attacker often has to drift into the half-space to be available for a pass. The centre of the pitch is usually too tightly guarded for a player in the build-up to be able to find a forward in a central position.

If the ball is already on the wing, it is also often helpful for the ball-side striker to come into the half-space. The full-back and the wide midfielder can then use the attacker for combination play. For example, to find the full-back through a third player, or so that the winger can play a one-two with the attacker.

If, however, the striker is to be played in behind directly, the following guidance on how the striker shows for the ball and gets free can help:

  • The ball-side striker comes short, and behind them the far-side striker runs in behind. This pulls one of the opponents' central defenders out of the line. The far-side striker is ideally placed to run into this gap.
  • A lone striker can also very effectively move away to the far side to set up a run in behind. For example, the striker moves across until level with the opponents' far-side centre-back. From there, the attacker can move parallel to the line towards the opponents' ball-side centre-back and run in behind that player.
Coaching points for this session
  • Get out of the cover shadow of the opposing midfielders
  • Centre-back at your back: control the ball or play it on with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Playing in behind: drop away on the far side, move parallel to the line
  • Playing in behind: the ball-side striker comes short, the far-side striker starts the run in behind
Drill 1

Warm-Up Routine

20 min
  • The player at position 1 plays the ball to position 2 and follows the pass.
  • The player at position 2 takes the ball, dribbles through the poles and joins the queue at position 1.

Variations:

  • First run: no restrictions.
  • Second run: everything with the right foot.
  • Third run: everything with the left foot.
  • Fourth run: dribbling alternately with the outside and the inside of the foot.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the positions, between them ten poles form a slalom.

Equipment: 4 cones, 10 poles and several balls.

Players: The players spread out across the positions 1 and 2.

Coaching points
  • Pass firmly.
  • Take the ball straight into the movement.
  • Look up from the ball.
  • Keep the ball close.
Drill 2

Short Pass | Lofted Ball

15 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A plays a ground pass to Player B.
  • Player B plays a ground pass to Player C.
  • Player C plays a ground pass to Player D.
  • Player D plays a lofted pass to Player E.
  • Player E plays a ground pass to Player F.
  • Player F plays a ground pass to Player G.
  • Player G plays a ground pass to Player H.
  • Player H plays a lofted pass to Player A.

Note: Every player moves to the position they have passed to.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: The players at positions A to H. Player A's position is filled by two players at the start.

Coaching points
  • Play all ground passes with the second touch.
  • Play the lofted balls on the move.
Drill 3

Finishing with Passing and Opponents

15 min
  • Player A dribbles from the starting cone towards the two nearest poles.
  • At the same time Player B starts the run along the pole.
  • On arriving there, Player A plays a pass in behind.
  • Player B runs onto the ball and finishes on goal first time or after a short first touch and taking the ball in stride.
  • After each round the positions are changed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three poles and two starting cones mark the running paths; a goal stands at one end.

Equipment: 1 goal, 3 poles, 2 cones and several balls.

Players: The players spread out evenly at the two starting cones; in addition one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Before the finish, look up once more at the goal and the goalkeeper.
  • Move parallel to the poles.
  • Set off with the pass in behind and watch out for offside.
Drill 4

Shot at Goal After a One-Two from Out Wide

20 min20 metres
  • Player A dribbles forward.
  • Player B breaks away from the pole with a preparatory movement and plays a one-two with Player A.
  • Player C sets off in behind the defence.
  • Player A plays a ground pass to Player C in the cut-back area, who finishes first time on goal.
  • The drill then runs on the other side of the pitch.
  • Player A moves to the position of B, Player B to that of C and Player C to the starting position.

Variations: One-two and movement as before. After the one-two, Player B breaks into the cut-back area and Player C sets off to the near post. Player A again plays into the cut-back area, but this time to Player B, who finishes.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four poles mark the positions; in addition one goal.

Equipment: 4 poles, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C on each side; in addition a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • After passing, keep moving immediately and use a change of pace while doing so.
  • Get to the finish purposefully.
  • Make sure the tempo is close to that of a match.
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