Tactical Theory: Coaching attacking creativity in wide areas – tactical analysis

Coaching attacking play, and specifically, creativity in wide players, can be one of the most challenging concepts for coaches to improve in their players. However, it is often a piece of trickery or moment of magic in the wide areas that lead to the games defining moments. Every football fan can picture an occasion where a wingers brilliance led to a goal. These game-changing impacts make taking the time to work on this tactical theory worthwhile.

The very best of the creative wide players have a combination of devastating speed, technical trickery and tactical understanding. This tactical analysis will analyse examples from various levels of the game to highlight some of the attacking tactical and technical concepts modern wide players require. This tactical theory will offer analysis and suggestions on how coaches can implement these tactics to improve and maximise their creative players.

Overlaps

The relationship between full-backs and their wingers is a vital component of attacking in wide areas. A good understanding between these players can allow them the freedom, individually, to be creative and take chances when attacking. Overlaps are a major tactical element these players can use to devasting effect.

The above image is an example of a successful overlap, in the final third, from Cove Rangers against Greenock Morton in the SPFL. Coves winger received the ball, facing forward, and ran at the opposition full-back. When wingers receive the ball with their back to the goal, there must be space between the winger and the opposition full-back. This space must be large enough for the winger to have time to receive and turn to face forward. Otherwise, the winger will be turning into pressure and likely dispossessed without having the security of a full-back behind them.

When the winger re