Throw-in to Finish: Swap, Lay-off and Cross
Throw-in routine in the opposition half: striker and inside midfielder swap, lay-off, the full-back dribbles down the wing and crosses for two finishers.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 4–12
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 68 × 58 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Finishing, Crossing
- Tactical: Set pieces
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
- Pole
Throw-in a few metres past the halfway line. The striker starts next to the opposing full-back (a pole) and the inside midfielder almost level with the throw, very narrow (another pole). The striker and the inside midfielder swap positions and the full-back throws to the striker, who lays it off. The full-back dribbles down the wing and crosses. Meanwhile, the striker and the inside midfielder each go to a cone at the edge of the box and attack the cross from there.
Objective
Finish a move that starts from a throw-in in the opposition half: striker–inside midfielder swap, lay-off, the full-back's dribble down the wing, cross and two players arriving to finish.
Organisation
- Attacking half with a full-size goal and a goalkeeper.
- Throw-in on the right touchline, a few metres past the halfway line.
- One pole at the striker's starting position (D), next to the opposing full-back, and another at the inside midfielder's (I), almost level with the throw and very narrow. The poles act as opponents.
- Two cones at the edge of the box, one for each finisher.
- Lines of full-backs, strikers and inside midfielders; each player returns to their line after the action. It can be repeated on the left side.
How it works
- The striker and the inside midfielder swap positions: the striker drops inside and the inside midfielder moves out towards the wing, in front of the other pole.
- The full-back (L) throws the ball to the striker.
- The striker lays it off first time to the full-back, who has stepped onto the pitch.
- The full-back dribbles down the wing to the edge of the box. Meanwhile, the striker and the inside midfielder go to their cones at the edge of the box.
- The full-back crosses; from the cones, the inside midfielder (near post) and the striker (penalty spot) attack the ball.
- Shot on goal.
- The striker must receive the throw in front of the pole (opponent), never behind it.
Coaching points
- The swap happens at the same time and at pace: drag the pole away before coming to receive.
- Striker: receive in front of the pole, side-on, asking for the ball to feet.
- Quick throw to feet, so the striker can lay it off first time.
- Firm lay-off to the full-back's feet, so they can step in and dribble.
- Full-back: fast dribble down the wing with the head up, to see the finishers before crossing.
- Finishers: wait at the cone and attack the box as the cross comes in, not before.
Progressions
- Add a one-two before the cross: the full-back plays into the inside midfielder, who returns it into space ahead of them and then goes to their cone.
- Replace the poles with passive defenders, then active ones.
- Add a third finisher (the far-side winger) who attacks the far post.
Variations
- Run it on both wings so players work with both feet.
Key principles
- Move together to get free.
- Receive in front of the opponent.
- Arrive in the box with the cross.
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