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Free activity · 100 Possession ActivitiesFull-Back Joins
Two wide players and a striker against three defenders and a keeper on a 30x25. On the first pass to a wide player, the full-back joins from the start line to make it 4v3, with ten seconds from the full-back’s first touch to a shot.
Setup
A 30x25 with a goal and keeper. Two wide players and a striker against three defenders. A full-back waits on the start line.
How it works
- The attack starts with a pass to a wide player. On that pass, the full-back may join, making it 4v3.
- Ten seconds from the full-back's first touch to a shot.
- Defenders counter to a mini goal.
Scoring
Eight goes each side.
- Full-back: go late and fast, on the outside.
- Wide player: come inside when the full-back goes outside.
- Striker: stay high. The cross is coming.
Make it easier or harder
- Progression 1: The full-back must receive the ball in the attack.
- Progression 2: Add a recovering defender who tracks the full-back.
Coach’s notes
- If It Stalls: Full-back arriving too early? They may not cross the start line until the wide player has touched the ball.
Why it works
This is the wide 2v1 from the game model, with the full-back arriving late and fast on the outside so the winger can come inside. Their full-back has to choose, and whoever they leave is free.
The timing rule is the whole lesson: the full-back may not cross the start line until the wide player has touched the ball. Early arrivals are marked arrivals.
Where it sits
This is activity 54 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 6 · Overloads: Numbers Up). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.
More like this
Ages 11+ · Attacking and finishing2v1 to the LineTwo attackers against one defender in a 15x10 channel, ten seconds to dribble over the end line.
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Ages 11+ · Attacking and finishing3v2 to Two GoalsThree attackers against two defenders on a 20x15 with two mini goals on the far line and twelve seconds to score.
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Ages 7–8 · Attacking and finishing1v1 to Goal + KeeperA short field with a goal and keeper at each end and teams of four at most.
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100 Possession Activities is a 115-page PDF with 100 animated MP4 videos: rondos, playing out from the back, through the lines, support, switching, overloads, movement, timing, counter-pressing and counter-attacks. Print the page, watch the clip, run the session.