3 Ways to Score From Wide Areas! Gary Curneen Session Ideas

With the ability of teams to put three or sometimes four midfielders inside central areas, space is becoming tougher to find at the highest level. Width however, still provides an opportunity for many possession-based teams to progress possession and create potential overloads. Of course, there are a number of variables that impact whether a team can consistently progress in those wide spaces. The ability and efficiency of wide players to combine and move off one another is probably the most critical factor. In this week’s MSC Breakdown, we take a look at how to unlock key spaces in wide areas using key relationships, to create chances and score goals. Three different solutions, all in a traditional 4-3-3 that we are trying to make as dynamic and flexible as possible.

Below is a YouTube breakdown highlighting three ideas. If you enjoy this content, please subscribe to our MSC YouTube page.

Below are the steps and exercise details shared in the breakdown:

Option One: Inside Outside Combination

In this example, the back four have maximum width, with the wide forward starting on the inside channel. As the first pass is played by the goalkeeper, the full-back drops low to invite the press and open the passing lane to the wide forward. As the center back plays the ball to the wide forward, the full-back then makes their run forward and looks to become an option from combination play. In this example, the full-back drives inside to engage the opposition back four and the forward movement of the possession team helps create an attacking opportunity.

Option Two: Invert Full-Back to Open Passing Lane

In this example, the team begins with traditional starting positions, but the timing of the movement is key here, as the full-back drifts inside as soon as the move starts. This should engage their direct opponent to follow them or at least split the difference, offsetting a passing lane to open up as the wide forward has provided the width. With the full-back now inside, they are also an option below the wide forward or beyond to join in the attack. This wide overload has the potential to unbalance the opponent’s defensive line and create a goal-scoring opportunity.

Option Three: Rotation with Midfielders

In this example, the wide players now work alongside the strong side attacking midfielders to unbalance the opposition through a series of movements. Again timing is key here, with the ball arriving at the center back, the full-back dropping deep, wide forward going inside, and then the attacking midfielder starting to move wide the occupy the space that the wide attacker vacated. Again, this movement has the ability to open passing lanes and, as the wide forward sets for the holding midfielder, this allows the attacking midfielder to run beyond and is now an option for a longer pass. This overload has the potential to unbalance the opponent’s defensive line and create a goal-scoring opportunity.