Crossing and finishing with three runs: near post, far post and cut-back
Right-sided build-up (8-2-7) ending in a cross from the wide channel, attacked by three finishers with staggered runs to the near post, the far post and the cut-back zone.
El 8 pasa al 2 y este juega en profundidad para el 7.
Objective
Coordinate the pass into space for the winger with three staggered runs into the box and choose the type of cross (driven near post, clipped far post or cut-back) based on where the defenders are.
Organisation
Right-hand final third of a 105x68 m pitch with the goal and a keeper. A 9.5x11.5 m crossing channel marked with cones between the touchline and the edge of the box. Players: 8 (midfielder, service cone 40 m out), 2 (right-back, receiving cone high and wide), 7 (winger, outside the channel), 9, 10 and 11 (rotating attackers) and 4 and 5 (active centre-backs in the box). 14 balls and bibs in two colours.
Development
- 1Player 8 passes diagonally to 2's front foot and follows only after releasing the ball.
- 2Player 2, with a maximum of two touches, slides the ball down the line ahead of 7, never to feet.
- 3Player 7 receives on the move, enters the channel with a three-touch maximum and delivers: driven near post, clipped far post or a hard cut-back to the penalty spot.
- 4As the 2-7 pass travels, 9 checks away from the near post to create separation, then accelerates across the front of 4.
- 5Player 11 delays two strides, stays onside and arrives late at the far post.
- 6Player 10 reads 7's body shape and steps into the cut-back zone on the penalty-spot line.
- 7Finish first time whenever possible; the ball stays live for four seconds for rebounds.
- 8Rotation: 7 to the 11 queue, 11 to 8, 8 to 2 and 2 to the next winger. Defenders rotate every four attacks. Three five-minute blocks with 90 seconds of coaching between blocks.
Coaching points4
- The final pass sets the attack: 2 passes into space, into 7's stride, not to feet.
- Cross with a target: 7 picks near post, far post or cut-back based on where the centre-backs are, never a hopeful ball.
- Separation before acceleration: 9 moves away from the defender first, then attacks the near post.
- Arrive late at the far post: 11 never runs underneath the cross; finish through the ball with a stable standing foot.
Common mistakes3
- All three finishers arrive at the same time in the same area of the box.
- 7 crosses first time without looking and the ball drops in no man's land.
- 8 follows before passing and ends up offside when arriving for the cut-back.
Variations3
- Guided success: no defenders, 7 may take four touches and the coach calls 'near', 'far' or 'cut-back' as the delivery cue.
- Scoring: first-time near-post finish, 1 point; first-time finish after a cut-back, bonus point.
- Switch sides every block to work both profiles.
Progressions2
- Live 2v3 in the box: centre-backs 4 and 5 defend from 2's pass onwards, restricted to the penalty area.
- Decision under pressure: a recovering full-back starts 5 m behind 7 and there is a six-second clock from first touch to delivery.
Regressions2
- U12-U14: 44x50 m end zone, three attacking roles and live defenders only after two minutes.
- U8-U10: 30x40 m area, 7-a-side goal, passive defenders, one central and one far-post runner only, four-touch limit for the winger.
Tips
- Visible stopwatch for the six-second constraint in the progression: players regulate themselves.
- Bibs in two colours to tell finishers from defenders and speed up rotations.