Outer Edge Finish

Objective

• -Use the outer edge of the pitch
• -Cross from different wide positions
• -Finish across the face of goal

Setup

1. 1Mark a 38 x 28 yard area with a full-size goal.
2. 2Place cones to show the outer edges and crossing points.
3. 3Split players into two wide attackers, two finishers and defenders.
4. 4Start the ball with the coach in a central lane.

How to play

1. 1The coach passes to a wide attacker in the outer lane.
2. 2The attacker can dribble, combine or cross immediately depending on pressure.
3. 3Finishers attack the service with runs to front, middle and back posts.
4. 4Defenders try to block the delivery and clear the area.
5. 5Reset quickly with a new ball from the coach.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Waiting too long in wide areas
• -Only one runner attacking the cross
• -Crosses not lifted or driven properly