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Equipment, Setup & Instructions
Equipment
- Footballs: 2–4 (one on each midfielder/starter foot to start each rep)
- Cones:
- 1 start cone for the midfielder/ball carrier
- 1 winger channel cone (crossing/receiving lane; optional)
- Optional support/arrival markers for overlap timing
Setup
- Use the full pitch with two goals (one at each end) and play in both directions.
- Split one side per direction: set a midfielder in the central start zone and a winger in the wide start zone.
- Place a ball with each starting midfielder at the start of their run.
- Put a cone to mark the ball-carrier’s start position (midfielder).
- Put a cone to mark the winger’s crossing/receiving lane channel (same-side only; optional).
- Add any extra cones you want as support/landing markers where the overlapping support should arrive in Phase 2.
Instructions
- Phase 1: The midfielder plays a deep ball into the winger’s lane.
- The winger receives to play through the crossing lane and attacks the area with a cross.
- Phase 2: A support player steps up to overlap the winger (goal-side position) as the winger prepares to cut inside.
- After receiving/carrying into the cut, the winger decides immediately: pass, shoot, or continue the overlap.
- Phase 3: Reset for the next rep and randomise the Phase 3 outcome (deep-to-wing, then cut-inside/cross combination) and finish to goal.
Coaching Points
- Phase 2 decision: winger must look up before choosing pass, shoot, or overlap
- Timing: cut inside early and at pace to create the decision window
- Support threat: overlap player must stand goal-side to receive and combine
- Finishing quality: pick the best option to attack the space after the random Phase 3 setup
Variations
Make it harder:
1. Time limit: winger must complete the cut-inside decision (pass/shoot/overlap) within a set seconds window
2. Add pressure: include an inside defender to challenge the winger’s pass/shoot/overlap choice
3. More randomness: fully randomise Phase 3 and require at least one combination pass before any shot
Make it easier:
1. Remove overlap option: winger must only cross or shoot after the cut
2. Slow the decision: apply a first-touch restriction before the winger decides
3. Simplify the combination: allow the support player to receive and play back earlier before the final finish
JT
Jasmine Tang
Author
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