Waves of Three: Clear Wide, Drive, Cross and Finish

Training diagram

Objective

Improve the first-time ball out to the wing, running with the ball down the outside channel, crossing, and attacking the box to finish at the near and far post.

Organisation

• Use half a pitch, 68 × 52 m, with a full-size goal and a goalkeeper.
• Mark two outside channels about 14 m wide with six cones each, running from the edge of the penalty area to halfway in line with the sides of the box.
• Place one cone on the halfway line in the centre as the start point for the middle player.
• Each wave is three players on the halfway line: one in each channel and one in the centre.
• The next waves wait behind the halfway line, and a supply of balls sits beside the goal for the goalkeeper.
• With two goalkeepers, they swap every five kicks.

How it works

1. The goalkeeper kicks long, from the ground or a volley, towards the middle player.
2. The middle player plays the ball first time, with the head or foot, into the space ahead of either winger.
3. The winger on that side gathers on the run, drives down the channel and crosses before reaching the byline.
4. The middle player attacks the near post and the far-side winger attacks the far post.
5. Only one finish is allowed, and a headed or volleyed goal counts double.
6. The goalkeeper tries to claim the cross or save the shot as in a real match.
7. The trio collects the ball, leaves along the touchline and rotates roles: middle to wing, wing to wing and wing to middle.
8. The next wave starts as soon as the previous trio has cleared the box.

Coaching points

Progressions

• Add a passive defender in the box who can only block with the body.
• Add a third runner who arrives at the penalty spot for the rebound or cut-back.
• The winger must cross first time after a one-two with the middle player.
• Add an active defender who leaves the edge of the box once the winger controls the ball.

Regressions

• The coach serves the ball by hand to the middle player from 20 m instead of the long kick.
• Allow the middle player one touch to control before playing the ball wide.
• Start the waves 35 m from goal so the runs and drives are shorter.
• Allow finishing with any part of the body, with no double points.

Variations

• The winger may cut inside and shoot instead of crossing if the runners are not yet in the box.
• Low crosses and cut-backs only, finishing with one touch.
• The coach calls the side out loud as the kick is struck, so the middle player must react.

Key principles

• Width: the ball goes wide quickly to stretch the play.
• Timing: the runs into the box arrive with the cross, not before it.
• Box occupation: one runner at the near post and one at the far post, never both in the same space.
• Accuracy over power: a well-placed cross and finish beat a hard, wild one.