Wing Recovery

Drill Purpose

Wing Recovery teaches players to be aware of defensive responsibilities after they lose the ball. Also a great wing offensive drill, it develops one-on-one attack and defensive skills as well.

Instructions

1. Seven players per drill group participate. The distance from A to C is about 20 to 30 yards. The distance from A to B is also about 20 to 30 yards.

2. A passes across to player B.

3. B dribbles down the field and towards the defender.

4. Player B should try to pull the defender towards the middle of the field.

5. Just as B comes near to the defender, B turns and sprints down the sideline.

6. If B can beat the defender, the ball is crosses and the attack continues.

7. If the ball is lost, A, B, and C must sprint back over the half-field line before a defender can dribble the ball over the half-field line.

8. Once the offense loses the ball, they don’t try to recover it and simply run to the half-field line as fast as possible.

Points of Emphasis

Wing Recovery is a drill designed to help players develop the mindset recovery if they’ve lost a ball on offense. During this drill, instruct players to…

– Time their runs in order to receive a cross.
– Be prepared to go on defense at all times, even if you’re an offensive player.

Progression

As players gain an understanding of the game, further variations include:

1. Adding more defenders or allowing defender to pass to each other to beat offensive players from running back over the half-field line after they’ve lost the ball.
2. Add more offensive players so that a cross from B more likely results in a goal.
.

Motivation / Teaching Tips

Tip #1 – Reward offensive groups that score goals as this is a complicated play.

Tip #2 – Everyone, including forwards, are defenders once the ball
is stolen.

Tip #3 – Teamwork is essential and everyone must be in sync.