⚽ Dribbling
Wide Dribbling to Cross — Create the Delivery
Most U14+ wide players can dribble but make poor decisions about the delivery.
Wide Dribbling to Cross — Create the Delivery — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Inviting the defender in before accelerating past
◆Why this drill works
Most U14+ wide players can dribble but make poor decisions about the delivery. They take too long, drift centrally, or cross too early. This drill isolates the dribble + delivery sequence and teaches the three viable end-points: pull-back (best for arriving midfielders), early cross (best for taller strikers attacking from depth), and cut inside (best when full-back is showing outside). The decision matters more than the technique.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- PHASE 1 — Pull-back (4 reps each side): wide attacker dribbles past defender to the byline, then plays the ball back to an arriving midfielder at the penalty spot. The pull-back is the highest-percentage cross.
- PHASE 2 — Early cross (4 reps each side): wide attacker reaches 18 yards from goal then crosses early — before reaching the byline. Aimed at the back post for the taller striker. Slower passes through the air, not low driven.
- PHASE 3 — Cut inside (4 reps each side): wide attacker beats defender by cutting inside (right-footer on left wing, left-footer on right wing), then shoots from 18 yards. Defender's positioning showed outside — punish it by going in.
- PHASE 4 — Free choice (8 reps): defender plays normal. Attacker reads the defender's position and chooses the appropriate option. Coach observes only — was the choice correct?
✓Equipment checklist
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Inviting the defender in before accelerating past
- Close control in tight space — ball glued to the feet
- Change of pace to beat the defender after the move
Correct when you see
- Doing the skill move too far from the defender to matter
- No change of pace after the move — the acceleration beats them
- Head down, unaware of support or space around
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Marker Cones (50-pack) | Build dribbling channels. | Check price → |
| Value | Training Footballs (6-pack) | Close-control reps. | Check price → |
| Upgrade | Agility Poles (set) | Weave and turn drills. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Wide Dribbling to Cross — Create the Delivery suitable for?
This drill suits youth. Keep it unopposed for younger players to build confidence; add a defender for older players to make it game-realistic.
How many players do I need for Wide Dribbling to Cross — Create the Delivery?
This drill works well with around 10 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Wide Dribbling to Cross — Create the Delivery take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.