Tactics / Chance creation

Fill the box

When the ball goes wide for a cross, four players attack four different spaces: near post, far post, penalty spot and the edge of the box.

In possessionFrom 11v11Match moment: Make a chance from the wingMatch moment: A free kick near their boxMatch moment: Follow in the reboundMatch moment: One down, time running out

NEARFARSPOTEDGE7911810GK
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Why it works

A cross into one crowded spot is easy to clear. Runners in four places mean the defenders cannot mark every space, and the crosser always has a target.

What players do

  • Near post: the first runner, attacking the front of the six-yard box.
  • Far post: wait wide, then attack the back post late.
  • Penalty spot: arrive late for the cut-back or a cleared ball.
  • Edge of the box: hold back for anything headed or kicked out.

Common mistakes

  • Everyone running to the same spot.
  • Arriving too early and standing still for the defender to mark.
  • Nobody at the edge of the box, so every clearance goes back to them.

With young players

In under-11 matches and below, there is no deliberate heading, so the crosses are low and the near post and penalty spot matter most.

Drawn on a 105 × 68 m pitch, showing the part where it happens. Orange attacks left to right and the other team is in blue; numbers are the usual shirt numbers for each position.

Put it into your own team's plan in the team builder, and see what it asks of each player.

Next: Draw a defender, then pass

What it asks of each player

The same idea, from every line of the team. Set it up for your own team in the team builder.

  • GK
    Goalkeeper
    • Organise the players left back for the counter.
    • Stand high: four players in the box means few left to stop a counter.
    • Tell the two at the back who to mark.

    Position guide: Goalkeeper

  • DEF
    Defenders
    • Full-backs: one goes, one stays.
    • One full-back goes forward; one stays back.
    • If you go, arrive at the back post.

    Position guide: Centre-back · Full-back

  • MID
    Midfielders
    • One to the penalty spot, one to the edge of the box.
    • Arrive late, not early.

    Position guide: Holding midfielder · Central midfielder · Attacking midfielder

  • ATT
    Forwards
    • Striker near post, far winger back post.
    • Striker: attack the near post across the front of your defender.
    • Far winger: hold your run, then arrive at the back post as the ball is struck.

    Position guide: Winger · Striker

Practices that train it

Start with the first, and build up to the game.