The Coaches' Room
11v11U14In Possession

Our winger gets to the byline and nobody attacks the far post

Asked by LC94
0 views 7 replies
We create decent wide situations and the 9 usually attacks the front area, but the opposite winger stays outside the box waiting for a cut-back. It means good crosses travel through the six-yard box with nobody arriving. I do not want to tell the far winger to sprint to the back post every time because sometimes staying out creates the better next action. What picture should decide when they attack the far side of goal?

VERIFIED COACH ANSWER

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

UEFA A Coach

11v11 tactical • team structure

Why don't we show coach names?
I’d base the far winger’s movement on what the ball carrier can actually deliver and what is already occupying the box. If the winger reaches the byline with time to drive the ball across goal, the far-side winger should usually be thinking about attacking beyond the far defender. If the ball carrier is under pressure and the likely pass is backwards, holding a position outside the box may be more useful. The 9’s run matters too. If the striker attacks the front space, the far winger can arrive behind the back line rather than joining the same area. I’d coach it in a front-five practice and vary the wide delivery. The far winger has to read front-post cross, cut-back and recycled possession. The cue is not “back post every time”. It is: what space is the defence leaving because of the first runs? Good box occupation gives you different depths and different lines, not four players making the same movement.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 7 replies

N

Neil2

Player-Coach

As a winger, seeing the striker go front post is a much better cue than being told I am always the back-post player.
B

BackGarden

Coach

Front, middle, back, edge. We use those as spaces, not assigned people. The players decide who fills what.
S

south_again

Parent

Do they remember that in a match or does it become too much language?
J

Jamo1

Parent

Ours used to hang outside for every cut-back. Once one winger started arriving back post, the opposition full-back suddenly had two things to think about.
T

Taff82

Parent who also coaches

We tell the far winger to read the 9. If the 9 attacks front space and the delivery can travel, the back post is normally the next threat.
E

EarlyKickoff

Coach

I would not make it automatic though. If the winger on the ball is under pressure, arriving early can just crowd the box.