Wide-to-High

Objective

• -Show how a team shape creates a crossing attack
• -Help players find wide and high positions
• -Link the final pass with movement in the area

Setup

1. 1Set a 45 x 25 yard pitch with a wide side lane on one side.
2. 2Place a crossing zone near the end line and a finish zone in front of goal.
3. 3Split players into two teams in bibs.

How to play

1. 1Play from the back or middle into the wide lane.
2. 2The wide player must get into the crossing zone before delivering.
3. 3Two or three attackers time runs into the finish zone.
4. 4Defenders try to stop the cross and clear the ball.
5. 5Restart quickly and swap roles regularly.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -All players attacking the same space
• -Crossing with no one in the box
• -Arriving too early and standing still