3v3 with Wide Neutrals: Goals from Crosses Count Double
3v3 with goalkeepers and a neutral on each wing who plays for the team in possession. Goals after a cross from the wing count double.
- Age
- U9–U14
- Players
- 8–12
- Duration
- 16 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 35 × 25 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Technical: Crossing, Finishing
- Tactical: Combination play
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Crossing
- Tactical:WidthAttacking the boxNumerical superiority
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Neutral / support
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Crossing makes sense when players see it in a game. Two neutral wingers, one on each side, give the team with the ball width and a free player. Attacking through them and finishing their crosses scores double, so players learn to move the ball wide and attack the box, while defenders learn to protect the goal against crosses.
Objective
Use the width of the wing players to create crossing chances and attack the box to finish.
Organisation
- 35 × 25 m pitch with a goal and goalkeeper at each end. A 4 m wing zone along each touchline.
- Two teams of three in the middle zone and one neutral in each wing zone.
- With 8 players, play 2v2 in the middle; with 11–12, rotate players into the wing zones every round.
How it works
- The neutrals play for the team in possession and cannot leave their wing zone.
- Field players cannot enter the wing zones.
- A goal after a cross from a neutral counts 2; any other goal counts 1.
- Neutrals have three touches. 4 rounds of 3 minutes; change the neutrals every round.
Coaching points
- If the middle is crowded, play wide: the neutral is always free.
- Neutral: run with the ball towards the goal line before crossing.
- Attackers: when the ball goes wide, attack the box — one near post, one far post.
- Defenders: stay between the ball and the goal and watch the runner behind you.
Progressions
- Wing players belong to each team (one per team on each side) instead of neutrals.
- Crosses must be first time.
- Headed goals count triple (infantil).
Regressions
- The neutrals have free touches.
- Goals from crosses count triple to encourage wide play.
- Use mini goals and no goalkeepers.
Variations
- A defender may enter the wing zone to stop the cross (1v1 on the wing).
Key principles
- Width creates space.
- Attack the box when the ball is wide.
- Defend the goal, not the ball.
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