Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 9: Attacking Down the Wings – Drills

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

Wing play will be the training focus for the next two weeks. Last week already covered the build-up via the wings.

The content learned there forms the basic requirement for wing play. Because to take an attack down the flank, the ball first has to reach the wide positions. It is important that the wide players are found in such a way that, ideally, they can continue the attack with plenty of space and in an open body position.

On the wing, the ball can then get in behind the opposition defence through a successful dribble or safe combination play.

The final step is about executing possible follow-up actions. For example, a cross to the far post, a pass into the cut-back area or a shot after beating a defender towards the centre.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

An efficient way to beat an opponent on the wing is the overlapping run.

This creates several ways of continuing play. On the one hand, the overlapping player can be played in directly at the right moment. Another option would be to play in the overlapping full-back by playing through a third player. This is often done via the striker nearest the ball. But the overlapping run also opens up the dribbling lane towards the centre for a short time. So instead of playing in the overlapping player, the player on the ball can drive towards goal themselves.

Coaching points for this session
  • Overlap at top speed
  • Overlap close behind the team-mate
  • Dribble straight at the opponent and commit them sufficiently
  • Play in the overlapping player when they are level with the defender
Drill 1

Passing in a Square - Passing into the Run

20 min
  • The red player plays the ball into the zone of the blue player, who has asked for it beforehand.
  • The blue player takes the ball on under control and plays it on to the next player — here to the yellow one.
  • The drill continues in this way.

Variations: After a few rounds, change the direction of play.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four zones are set up with 16 cones.

Equipment: 16 cones and balls.

Players: At least one player stands at each zone, at least two at the starting position.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball on with the outside foot and play it with that foot.
Drill 2

2 vs 1 on the Wing plus Follow-Up Action

20 min
  • The player with the ball dribbles forward briefly, plays the ball forward to the wide midfielder and makes an overlapping run at maximum speed.
  • The wide midfielder takes the ball towards the centre with the first touch, dribbles at the opposing defender and, at the right moment, plays the ball to the overlapping player.
  • This player takes the ball in full stride towards the penalty area and either finishes off or plays a ground pass to the striker arriving in the cut-back area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four yellow cones mark out a defending area of 4 x 4 metres at the corner of the penalty area, one red cone marks the central position at the penalty area.

Equipment: 5 cones, several balls and 1 full-size goal.

Players: One player with a ball, one wide midfielder, one opposing defender and one striker in the cut-back area.

Coaching points
  • The defender drops back and inside and closes off the route into the centre.
  • The defender drops back especially at the moment of the overlapping run.
  • As soon as the overlapping player is played in, the defender pushes out to that player immediately.
Drill 3

Small-Group Game: 3 vs 2 After Overlapping Runs

20 min
  • The game is played 3 vs 2.
  • Player A plays to Player C and makes an overlapping run around Player C.
  • Player C plays first time to Player B and also makes an overlapping run around Player B.
  • Player B plays back to Player A and makes an overlapping run around Player A.
  • A, B and C may then play freely and try to use the dynamic that has been created to score a goal against the two defenders.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones bound the area; there are four mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of six, each divided again into two groups of three.

Coaching points
  • Make the overlapping runs at top speed.
  • To begin with, let the players act without fixed passing and running routes.
  • Afterwards ask specifically for solutions.
Drill 4

Overlapping Runs in the Wide Zone

30 minHalf a pitch
  • The game is played freely.
  • As soon as the ball is played to a player in a wide zone, another attacker makes an overlapping run — ideally the passer.
  • In this way attacking variations with overlapping runs or play through a third player are created. The defender in the wide zone becomes active in the process.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area and the wide zone; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams and goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Switch play quickly to the wings and create a numerical advantage there.
  • If a goal is scored after an overlapping run or play through a third player, there is an extra point.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

After 2 passing drills on combination play on the wing, the session continues with a 3 vs 2 in a marked wide zone.

In this 3 vs 2 there are several ways of playing past the 2 defenders – for example through overlapping runs, underlapping runs, play through a third player, a through ball–lay-off–through ball move or a one-two. Despite the overload, a dribble can also be used as a solution depending on the situation.

Above all, however, it is important that the attacks are finished quickly. Only then is this drill of any use for 11 vs 11, in which overload situations in the opposing half usually arise for only a very short time.

The training session ends with a 4 vs 4 with the aim of breaking through on the flank. Here too, both the attacking 1 vs 1 and clever combination play can be used to achieve the breakthrough.

Coaching points for this session
  • Dribble straight at the opponent
  • Find varied solutions, both combination play and dribbling
Drill 1

Passing | Attacking Down the Wings

20 min
  • Player A passes into the path of Player B.
  • Player B plays on to Player C.
  • Player C lays the ball off to Player A and runs into the middle, so that the wing becomes free.
  • Player A dribbles down the wing and passes into the middle to Player C, who finishes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones in two colours and one tall cone mark the positions; in addition one mini goal.

Equipment: 1 mini goal, 3 cones, 1 tall cone and several balls.

Players: Players A, B and C.

Coaching points
  • Play the passes precisely and with power.
  • Try to play first time.
Drill 2

Passing: Overlapping Play on the Wing After a Passing Combination

20 minHalf a pitch
  • Player A passes to Player B, who plays the ball first time to Player C.
  • Player C plays first time to Player D and makes an overlapping run around Player B at high speed.
  • Player D carries out a preparatory movement and sets up Player C with a one-two.
  • Player C dribbles to the goal line and crosses into the centre.
  • There Player E runs to the near post; Player F crosses over and takes up the far post.

Variations: With enough players, train alternately from the right and from the left.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four green, two yellow, two red and two blue cones mark the positions.

Equipment: 10 cones and enough balls.

Players: Players A to F as well as a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Demand powerful and accurate passing.
  • Through regular repetition the players should find the right timing.
  • The strikers E and F should not run into the penalty area too early.
Drill 3

3 vs 2 on the Wing

20 min30 x 10 metres on the wing
  • The game starts in the corridor with a 3 vs 2.
  • The aim of the three attackers is to deliver a cross into the penalty area from the level of the yellow cone onwards.
  • The two waiting attackers run into the penalty area with the cross and take it first time wherever possible.
  • If the two defenders win the ball, they try to dribble out of the corridor towards the halfway line.

Variations: Have the drill carried out on the other side of the pitch as well.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: On one wing a corridor of about 30 x 10 metres is marked out with cones, running from the halfway line to the goal line. On the corridor line facing the centre, a yellow cone marks the point from which crossing is allowed. The game is played on a full-size goal.

Equipment: Cones, one of them in a different colour, 1 goal, bibs in two colours, several balls.

Players: In the corridor three attackers play against two defenders. Two further attackers wait outside the corridor level with the penalty area, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
  • The defenders defend the space, but also block the route to the cross.
  • Play the attacks out to the end quickly.
  • Dribble at the opponent decisively and tie opponents up.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game 4 vs 4 with End Zones

20 min
  • The game is played 4 vs 4 on two small goals.
  • The aim is to dribble into the end zone down the outside.
  • Once a player has arrived in the end zone, that player must finish with the first touch.
  • Defenders may not enter the end zone.
  • If a goal is scored, the team that scored the goal keeps possession. Otherwise a player of the other team starts from the end zone by playing a pass or dribbling into the area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones and tall cones mark the playing area and the end zones; there are two mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, cones, tall cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four.

Coaching points
  • The team in possession makes the game wide.
  • Build in changes of position.

Session 3

4 drills

The last training session of the week will also focus on combination play on the wing.

After a coordination warm-up, the session continues with a passing drill on the through ball–lay-off–through ball move. What matters here is that the holding midfielder follows the ball immediately after the centre-back has played it past them.

Afterwards, 3 vs 2 on the wing is played again in order to gain more confidence in combination play on the wing in a match-like setting.

The training week ends with a small-sided game with wide zones without a touch restriction and a central zone with a touch restriction. This is intended to provoke many actions on the wing, as the touch restriction means the ball is played out to the flanks quickly.

Drill 1

Coordination Training 4 Stations

15 min

The coach determines the exercises at each station, for example:

  • Run sideways through the agility ladder.
  • Run around the cones sideways with slightly bent knees.
  • Jump through the hoops on one foot each time.
  • Jump sideways over the hurdles with both legs.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four stations — one agility ladder, ten hoops, twelve cones and ten low hurdles.

Equipment: 1 agility ladder, 10 hoops, 12 cones and 10 low hurdles.

Players: The players are divided among all the stations.

Coaching points
  • Pay attention to the quality of the exercises — it comes before speed.
Drill 2

Attacking Play Down the Side with a Finish

25 min
  • The centre-back plays to the right midfielder.
  • The right midfielder lays the ball off to the holding midfielder.
  • Meanwhile the full-back sets off forward and receives a pass from the holding midfielder.
  • The full-back crosses to the strikers, who cross their runs.
  • The holding midfielder sets off into the space at the edge of the box.

Progression: After a few rounds only allow first-time passes.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions; in addition one goal.

Equipment: Cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: One centre-back, one right midfielder, one holding midfielder, one full-back, two strikers and a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The right midfielder opens up the wing for the full-back by showing for the ball towards the centre of the pitch.
Drill 3

Attacking Actions on the Wing

20 min
  • After a pass out of the centre, a 3 vs 2 is played on the wing.
  • The aim is to get over the back line of the zone and to play a low or high cross into the penalty area, which the player who made the pass finishes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the wing zone; plus one goal.

Equipment: 4 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: The players are divided into 4 vs 2.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage on the wing to create width and to dribble quickly.
  • The defenders work in the space and step in at the right moment.
Drill 4

Zone Game with Pressing

30 min
  • Team Yellow plays against Team Blue on two goals.
  • In the central zone the ball may only be played with two touches.
  • In the two outer zones play is free.
  • For the blue team the line marked in blue counts as the pressing line, for the yellow team the line marked in yellow — in this case a midfield press.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones divide the playing area into three zones — two outer zones and one central zone. Further cones mark a pressing line for each team, here in yellow and blue.

Equipment: Cones, 2 goals and several balls.

Players: Two teams — yellow and blue — plus two goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Thanks to the touch-limited zone, the team in possession has time and can combine until gaps open up in the opposition.
  • The pressing team coordinates itself and shifts across as a team.
More on this topic Wing play · 2 ready-made sessions View sessions →
Your training. Your web app.

Get the complete training plans in the web app

  • All 52 weeks, up to three sessions per week
  • More than 3,000 drills – many of them animated
  • Build your own training plans & share them with your team
Start for free

No subscription, no credit card. Sign up in 1 minute.