Attacking from the Outside

A formation like the 4-4-2 offers plenty of width in the midfield, making the wings an ideal place to begin an attack. However, the ultimate goal is to get the ball to the center where we can score. This post explores a winger's three basic options for getting the ball into the danger zone:

1. The early cross
2. The inside cut
3. The late cross

These are ranked in terms of probability of scoring, with the early cross being our best chance, the late cross being our lowest chance, and the inside cut being somewhat in the middle.

Let's look at our best chance first: the early cross.

Early Cross

Our wingers (outside midfielders) will work with either an inside midfielder or a striker to pass the ball around the midfielder and outside defender using a combination of give-and-go passes. Inside-outside passing allows us to get around defenders. Often this requires a sideline run from a striker to overload that position at the defense. In the end, somebody (winger, center mid, or striker) will be 1v1 on the outside defender. This is our starting position for attack.

In this formation #11 has got the ball from #8. He made a sideline run and now has the ball and is moving, with speed as his advantage. From here he has the three options. His first decision will be based on where the outsider defender is located. If he thinks he can beat him, then he attacks along the sideline making one longish dribble and then the cross. He only takes a control touch to direct the ball along the sideline, a push (dribble) to get the ball past the defender, and then the cross. Three touches at the most.
He has an especially good chance when the nearside forward pulled. Check out what happens when #10 was the one to deliver the ball and he is not in position to make a run. His defender Red #4 will be slow getting back.

Notice how we've got the defense pulled up around 10. #11 beats his man on the quick touch and pass, and #9 controls the pass and strikes from behind the defense--an easy goal.

Once #11 has even a foot of space on #2, the winger Blue #11 makes an unexpected early cross. The ball comes in HARD and LOW. Not a slow lobbing pass that gives the defense time to set. The ideal location to take the cross is halfway between the endline and the midfield line. Any earlier and the shot will be too long--an easy save for the keeper. Any farther and the keeper can step up and collect the ball. With this early cross, the defense is not set. They aren't really expecting a cross until the winger reaches the box.

To get in position the striker Blue #9 uses every ounce of foot speed he can muster, out-pacing the defense on a diagonal run towards the kicker. He's trying to get behind the center mid, ballside and goalside and make the strike. He receives the ball at the top of the box--too far for the keeper to get. One control touch and with the ball on his strong foot, he boots it in. This takes speed in both #11 and #9. Each has to beat a man. When the defense is trapping high or reacts slowly, this attack is our easiest chance to score because we are behind the entire defense.

Key mistakes to avoid:

1. Biggest mistake is for the winger to take a second dribble. This allows the defense to drop and interfere with the pass. Wingers must learn to CROSS EARLY! They've got the whole field in front of them. It feels like they can just take one or two more dribbles and then look for a pass, but by then, the chance has been lost. The defense has recovered and the keeper can come out.
2. Strikers start their run too late and too slow. If our forwards don't sense the chance for attack and make the run, then our cross will go to nobody. This is particularly a problem if our striker isn't playing high enough or doesn't anticipate the cross.
3. Strikers too far away. If the strikers run at the goal instead of running on a diagonal, the defenders will have more time to intercept the pass and the keeper will have more time to come out.
4. A cross that is slow and high. A lobbing pass takes time going up and coming down and gives the defense time to react. A high pass is also harder for the forward to control.

Inside Cut

When the outside fullback Red #2 gets beat on the early cross once, he'll try to deny it by playing deeper and to the outside. He's taken away the early cross, but given us the chance to attack the middle. We'll take it.

#11 can't take it up the sideline, so he has no choice but to turn inside. Lovely opportunity. What makes this even more dangerous is that #10 sees what is happening. Rather than greedily hang out in the center of the field waiting for the ball, keeping defenders in the way and uselessly taking up space and being guarded, #10 makes a diagonal run. If he isn't picked up, he could be open for a dangerous pass. But if the center defender Red #4 guards Blue #10, then he has left the middle wide open.

If #11 is a right footer, this is exactly what he wants. He's got an outside shot. Notice how #9 took their defender away from the play, giving #11 a chance.

If #11 doesn't have a strong outside shot, we've got to get it to the striker.

He's got two options. If Red #5 stays inside, the striker can go outside and look for a header or volley at the back post from #11. If Red #5 guards the striker closely, #9 can just step inside of him and look for a dangerous through ball from #11.

With the defender on his right, this striker had best use his left foot to attack the goal. #7 will try to draw the left defender out of the middle with an outside run. And #10 is still a dangerous option if he's onside and #9 is guarded. For example, if #4 and #5 guard the striker, the #11 hits #10 with a pass and #10 crosses to #7 at the back post, or dribbles into the box looking for a chance.

Key mistakes to avoid:

1. The nearest striker needs to read the inside cut and do something to stress the defense. Often this is a run towards the flag in the corner. But if the forward just sits in the middle like a duck in a pond waiting for the ball, the defenders will choke the attack.
2. Outside shots. It can be tempting to shoot on goal from outside when you've beaten your defenders and the ball is on your strong foot. Make sure to check for runners or slots before you waste an attack on a low probability shot from the wings or from distance.
3. Determinedly using your strong foot and losing a chance for an open shot is a common pitfall. As seen above, if #9 makes and inside run, he's only going to have a chance with his left. Likewise #11 when he cuts inside will be forced to use his right foot.

Late cross

Suppose the defender does a good job of trapping our winger against the sideline and #11 is forced to take the ball deeper into the defense. Now the defense is in the box, getting set. Our chances of scoring are much lower, baring a brilliant cross and a magnificent header, or some poor defending. The key here is to keep the cross out of the goal box, unless you can lob the keeper and get it back post. Otherwise it is likely to be a wasted chance. A good option might be to look for the trailer.

In this scenario #10 was still in transition and is getting to the attack late. This happens a lot. Look to place the ball halfway between the center arc and the corner of the box. Too long of a pass and the defense will step up and intercept it. Too short of a pass and the shooter will be too far outside for a good chance. If the defense is back in their 6-yard box, #10 may even have a chance to make a control touch and shoot it with their strong foot. If #9 sees a shot coming, he should take his man out by making a lateral run away from the goal to the near or far side. Alternatively, the striker may fade back, looking for a cross at the top of the box.

Here #9 has decided that the defense is too tight. #10 keeps plays high to keep the defense honest, while #9 steps back to receive a cross. He can either shoot or try to pass the ball through a gap for #7. This is a great chance to switch the point of the attack, without calling off the attack.

Another great opportunity is a dribble up the endline. If #2 denies the cross to the top of the box, #11 makes a move to beat his man inside. There is a high chance #2 or #4 kicks the ball out and we get a corner. If they are a step too slow, #11 has an even EASIER pass to a trailer, who by now should be close to the penalty spot and very dangerous indeed.

Key mistakes to avoid:

1. A blind cross to the middle of the 6 yard box isn't always a great delivery. Look for smarter options. You may have to drop the ball to #8. If so, the offense must make movements (either pulling up to draw the defense out or attacking diagonally) to create more opportunities.
2. Clogging the middle. If we get a cross to a trailer who has an outside shot, our players should clear out of the way to give him a better shot on goal.
3. Not following the shot. Strong outside shots have a good chance of being deflected by a defender, the keeper or a post. Get the rebound!
4. A cross from the endline to the middle is a common mistake. It is likely to be an easy catch for the keeper. Look for the trailer! They've got the whole goal in front of them and can even make passes.
5. Offsides. When you make a cross from the corner, be careful of getting involved in the play in a way that could make you potentially offsides.

In summary, an outside attack is a great way to stretch the defense and create opportunities. Our best chance is a quick dribble on the sideline and early cross. If our defender takes away the sideline run, we cut inside and look for a forward to make an outside run to stretch the defense and create a triple threat: shot, outside pass, or inside pass. If the defense denies any early cross or inside cut, and we are forced towards the corner, we look for a cross to the top of the box to hit a trailer or fading striker.