Finishing off the Underlap | Creating Chances in the Half-Space

Overview

• Who this is for

Field players from middle school age and up (especially midfielders and attackers)

• Players learning how to attack out of the build-up
• Players who want to read the half-space better and put chances away

Objectives

• Nailing the timing of the underlap run

Read the ball carrier and learn to run a half-step ahead, right as the next pass is about to be played

• Receiving and deciding in the half-space

In tight areas, scan your surroundings and instantly sort your options: shoot, cut it back, or pass

• Finishing under pressure

Stay calm with defenders around you and finish with intent, hitting your spots with a clear head

Setup

This drill uses underlap runs into the half-space out of the build-up to train realistic, game-like scoring patterns.

１）Play on a half field with 1 defender, a keeper, and 4 attackers (2 in the build-up + 1 making the underlap + 1 wide player).

２）The build-up players keep the ball, then switch it out to the wide player on the flank.

３）The moment the wide player takes possession, the underlapping player bursts into the half-space (between the outside back and the center back).

４）Time the run, receive the pass, and finish quickly with a shot or a cutback.

５）After each player gets several reps, rotate positions and run it again.