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Wing play training: 2 ready-made sessions

Attacking down the wings with crosses and overlapping runs: complete sessions for youth and adult teams.

Attacking Down the Wings

4 drills

In this practice format, the players have to make decisions when attacking down the flanks. Starting in 1 vs 1 and continuing in 2 vs 1, the players have to find solutions quickly under pressure from opponents. Finally, in a free small-sided game, the central midfield zone is closed off so that the players are forced to play down the flanks.

Drill 1

Circuit Tag

10 min10 x 10 metres
  • On the starting signal both teams sprint off and try to catch up with the opposing team.
  • The round ends as soon as the first player of one team has touched the last player of the other team.

Variations:

  • Introduce the rule that players may not overtake within their own team; this encourages a tactical approach.
  • The winners choose an extra task for the losing team, for example 5 press-ups or 10 sit-ups.

Organisation: Take short breaks between the rounds.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of about 10 x 10 metres with four cones. Running takes place around the outside of this square of cones.

Equipment: 4 cones.

Players: The players are divided into two teams and line up one behind the other at two diagonally opposite corners.

Coaching points
  • Make sure that the players do not cut corners.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 Down the Wing

25 minHalf a pitch
  • The player with the ball runs into the triangle at pace and steps on the ball, so that the player runs on a few more steps while the ball stays where it is.
  • The player without the ball follows, picks the ball up and decides whether to go towards the centre or towards the goal line.
  • A 1 vs 1 develops: the first player tries to win the ball, the second player tries to score a goal.
  • The round then starts on the opposite side.

Variations:

  • When the ball is won, set up a dribbling goal towards the halfway line in order to build in the transition moment.
  • For a 2 vs 1 or 2 vs 2, the attacker or both players stay in the game for the next round.
  • If no goalkeeper is available, a dribbling goal can be set up.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Play takes place in one half of the pitch towards a full-size goal. About 30 metres in front of the goal a starting flat marker stands next to the touchline. 10 metres in front of it, three flat markers form a triangle with one opening pointing towards the goal line and the other towards the centre. The same set-up is created on the other side of the pitch.

Equipment: 8 flat markers, bibs in two colours, balls, 1 goal.

Players: At each starting flat marker there is one player with a ball and behind that one player without a ball. A goalkeeper is in the goal.

Coaching points
  • Bring pace into the action when attacking.
  • When taking the ball over, watch which direction the opponent is moving in.
  • Exploit mistakes by the opponent consistently.
  • Protect the centre when defending.
Drill 3

2 vs 1 Down the Wing

25 minHalf a pitch
  • The team-mate of the player on the ball starts the move by pulling away to the inner flat marker at a sprint, tracked by the opponent.
  • As soon as that player passes the flat marker, the player on the ball sets off and plays a pass.
  • The running player decides whether to take up the wing or to go into the centre, and the ball is played through the flat markers accordingly.
  • In both cases the passer joins the action while the defender tries to win the ball. This creates a 2 vs 1.
  • The aim of the attackers is a successful finish.

Variations:

  • Set up a dribbling goal level with the halfway line in order to create transition moments when the ball is won.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Play takes place in one half of the pitch towards a full-size goal. About 30 metres in front of the goal a starting flat marker stands next to the touchline. 10 metres in front of it two flat markers stand 5 metres apart; they form the gate that is played through. The same set-up is created on the other side of the pitch.

Equipment: 6 flat markers, bibs in two colours, balls, 1 goal.

Players: There is one player with a ball at the starting flat marker. The two outer flat markers are each occupied by two players, one of them as an attacker and one as a defender. A goalkeeper is in the goal.

Coaching points
  • The players should communicate clearly with one another.
  • The player on the ball can roll the ball forward briefly at the start in order to be able to pass accurately.
  • If the ball goes out to the wing, the passer should show for the ball in the centre.
  • If the ball goes into the centre, the passer should push wide and show for the ball out wide.
  • The defender should put the free player in the cover shadow.
  • Watch out for the offside position.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game Down the Wings

30 minHalf a pitch

A free game is played with the following rules:

  • Players with the ball may not enter the diamond.
  • The ball may, however, be played through the diamond.
  • Players without the ball may run through the diamond.
  • Neither dribbles nor passes into the diamond are allowed.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Play in one half of the pitch. In the middle of the area four cones mark out a diamond that counts as a restricted zone. A full-size goal stands on the goal line, the second goal stands on the halfway line.

Equipment: 4 cones for the diamond, bibs, balls, 2 goals.

Players: Two teams. If the number of players is odd, a neutral player is nominated who plays only for the attacking team. Both goals are occupied by goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • The aim is quick passing out wide or through the centre in order to look for the direct route to the opposition goal.
  • The diamond prevents passes in front of the opposition back line and thereby brings more pace into the game.
  • Vertical passes should be played along the ground.
  • A compact back line closes the gaps and prevents passes through the channels.

Attacking Down the Wings II

4 drills

In this practice format, the players have to make decisions when attacking down the flanks.

Drill 1

Hourglass Run

10 minDistance between flat markers about 15 metres
  • The first player dribbles out of the starting flat marker to the right and passes the ball to the receiver waiting at the right-hand flat marker.
  • This player takes a short first touch, dribbles forward and passes on to the opposite left-hand flat marker.
  • From there the ball travels on to the top flat marker and from there back to the starting flat marker, so that the passing lines cross in the middle.
  • Every passer follows the pass and takes up the flat marker that has become free.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Lay out four flat markers as a diamond, the distance between the flat markers is about 15 metres.

Equipment: 4 flat markers, balls.

Players: Each flat marker is occupied by one player, the starting flat marker by two. One of the two starting players has the ball. If needed, the remaining flat markers can also be occupied by two players each. With more than 5 players a second ball can be used or a further area can be set up.

Coaching points
  • The receivers move away from their flat marker shortly before the ball is played and come towards the ball.
  • Passer and receiver should communicate with each other.
  • The passers should play firm passes into the run.
Drill 2

Overload on the Flank

25 min10 x 20 metres
  • The two teams play against each other and try to score goals.
  • The neutral players act as wall players. They must not enter the area and must not be challenged.
  • The wall players always play for the team that passes them the ball.
  • A goal only counts once both wall players have touched the ball.

Progression:

  • For advanced players the wall players may only play one-touch, without controlling the ball.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Mark out an area of 10 x 20 metres with four cones and place a mini goal in the middle of each of the longer sides.

Equipment: 4 cones, 2 mini goals, bibs in three colours, balls.

Players: Two teams in the playing area plus two neutral players in a bib colour of their own, who stand outside the two short sides.

Coaching points
  • Only allow ground passes.
  • The attacking side should use the whole width of the area in order to find gaps in the defence.
  • The defending side should narrow the play around the ball in order to block passing lines and to put the player on the ball under pressure.
Drill 3

Attacking Down the Wings

25 minHalf a pitch, mini goal 25 to 30 metres in front of the full-size goal
  • The round starts with a lofted ball from the goalkeeper to the winger on the far side.
  • Depending on the level, free play begins as the ball is played or only once the ball has been controlled.
  • The attacking team has 20 seconds to score a goal.
  • If the opposition wins the ball, they can score through the mini goal.
  • After 5 attempts the teams swap tasks.

Scoring: At the end it is compared which team has scored more points.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Play takes place in one half of the pitch towards a full-size goal. About 25 to 30 metres in front of it a mini goal stands centrally. Cones mark the starting positions of both teams, one colour per team. The set-up is intended for training a U14 and can be adapted for younger age groups.

Equipment: Cones in two colours, 1 mini goal, bibs, balls, 1 goal.

Players: Two teams of four players each plus one goalkeeper. The attacking team has two players on the flanks and two players in the centre, the defending team stands in front of them ahead of the penalty area.

Coaching points
  • Make sure that the attacking team does not stand too far offside, without stopping every action because of a metre.
  • Every player of the attacking team should keep moving constantly in order to open up new spaces.
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game Attacking Down the Flank

30 minHalf a pitch, one side of the pitch cut off from the goal area onwards
  • A free game is played, with the cut-off side closed and counted as out of play.
  • After half of the playing time both teams change sides.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Play takes place in one half of the pitch. Opposite the full-size goal a second goal is placed level with the halfway line. One side of the pitch is cut off: a row of flat markers runs from the goal line level with the goal area to the halfway line, the area behind it is closed and counts as out of play. The set-up is based on training a U14 and can be adapted for younger age groups.

Equipment: Flat markers, bibs, balls, 2 goals.

Players: Two teams plus two goalkeepers. With an odd number of players, one neutral player is nominated who plays exclusively for the attacking team.

Coaching points
  • In this small-sided game the defence can defend the centre more easily, because it only has to cover in one direction.
  • The players should exploit this and push the attackers wide more often.

More topics

2 ready-made sessionsIndoor trainingSessions for the sports hall – under-8s to under-11s.2 ready-made sessionsIndoor training for under-7sBall familiarisation and games for the youngest players.2 ready-made sessionsShooting trainingFinishing from every angle – youth and adults.2 ready-made sessions1v1 duels1v1 with an opponent behind and side-on.2 ready-made sessionsBack fourDefending as a back four and in rest defence.2 ready-made sessionsOverloadsPossession with a numerical advantage and transitions.1 ready-made sessionSet piecesCorners, free kicks and throw-ins.
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