Attacking

Final Third Entries

Enter the final third with control

Attacking

Possession

Finishing

Final Third Entries is a 20-minute attacking drill for 10-20 players, suitable for Under 12 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs, full goals. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Attacking

Possession

Finishing

Skill Practice

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Goals Needed

Duration

20 min

Players

10-20

Pitch size

Two thirds of a pitch

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Final Third Entries — Goalkeeping set-up — serve, save, reset · Two thirds of a pitch

Step 1 of 3A goal only counts if the attacking team entered the final third through a wide channel or a pass to the striker's…

1. A goal only counts if the attacking team entered the final third through a wide channel or a pass to the striker's…
2. Coach calls out the entry used.
3. Six minute games.

Cones mark the area
Full goal
GK = goalkeeper
C = coach serving, S = second server
Ball
Cones mark the keeper's starting positions
Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
Keeper distributes back to the server
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Enter the final third with control
-Choose the right entry route
-Create a chance from the entry

Setup

1Pitch marked into thirds with cones.
2Two teams with a keeper each.
3Balls stored behind both goals.

Coaching instructions

1A goal only counts if the attacking team entered the final third through a wide channel or a pass to the striker's feet.
2Coach calls out the entry used.
3Six minute games.

Coaching points

-Slow down in build-up, speed up on entry
-Recognise which entry route is open
-Third man runs to support the entry

Common mistakes

-Rushing the entry pass
-Always going wide
-No runners beyond the ball

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Full Goals

Age groups

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

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