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New York Power - WUSA

Contributed by Tom Sermanni, former head coach of the Australian Women’s National Team and the WUSA’s New York 

Power.  The session highlights exercises for attacking runs - “Going to Goal” . 

Diagram 30

Practices Without Defenders

An attacking run to ‘get in behind’ defenders:

•  X1 checks to S1

•  X1 receives a pass from S1

•  X1 passes the ball back to S1 and spins out

•  S1 passes the ball ‘in front’ of X1 to allow X1 to run 

onto it and finish

Coaching Points

•  Quality and timing of runs

•  Timing, angle and types of runs

•  Selection of pass, e.g. to feet, into space, on the ground 

or in the air

Diagram 31

Practices Without Defenders

An attacking run ‘across the front’ of defenders:

•  X1 checks to S1

•  X1 receives a pass from S1

•  X1 passes the ball back to S1 and makes a lateral run 

across the area

•  S1 passes into the path of X1

•  X1 controls the pass and dribbles to goal before 

finishing

Diagram 32

Practices Without Defenders

An attacker making a ‘lateral run’ to get outside a 

defender:

•  X1 checks to S1

•  X1 receives a pass from S1

•  X1 passes the ball back to S1 and makes a lateral run 

across the area

•  S1 delays the return pass to X1 until X1 is able to face 

the goal

•  S1 hits a diagonal pass just in front of or to the feet of 

X1, so that X1 receives the ball facing the goal

•  X1 controls and finishes

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New York Power - WUSA

Diagram 33

Practices Without Defenders

Attackers making ‘crossover’ runs:

•  X1 checks to S1

•  X1 receives a pass from S1

•  X1 passes the ball back to S1 and makes a lateral 

run to clear the space

•  S1 passes into the space for X2, who finishes

•  X1 spins into X2’s space and follows up for any 

rebounds

Diagram 34

Practices Without Defenders

Overlapping run from the supporting midfielder:

•  X1 checks to S1

•  S1 passes to X1 and makes an overlapping run 

outside X1

•  X2 supports X1, square of X1 (thus allowing him 

to be in a position to play the ball forward when he 

receives a pass from X1)

•  X1 passes to X2

•  X2 passes in front of S1 for S1 to finish

Diagram 35

Practices Without Defenders

Attackers getting outside markers to receive a 

pass, either ‘in behind’ defenders or ‘to feet’ facing 

forward:

•  X1 checks to S1

•  S1 passes to X1 and moves forward into a 

supporting position to receive a return pass from 

X1

•  X1 and X2 spin out

•  S1 plays a diagonal pass to X2

•  X2 finishes

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New York Power - WUSA

Diagram 36

Practices With Defenders

Play 3 v 2 going to goal.  Attackers try to integrate the 

movements practiced earlier in a game-realistic situation 

involving defenders.

Key Coaching Points For Attackers

•  Selection of best option

•  Receiving the ball facing forward or being able to play the next pass forward

•  Making runs ‘in behind’ the defense

•  Creating 2 v 1 situations