The Near Post Run – The Goalscorer's Best Friend
- aaronptighe
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
I was watching the overnight goals from the Premier League and saw ex-Man Utd and Arsenal star Danny Welbeck of Brighton score a typical centre-forward goal, using the pace and timing of his run to get in front of the defender and direct the ball on goal. It was a technique I used as a midfield player, making late runs into the box to get a goal.
In my football book What It Takes, I tell the story of making my debut for Leicester City and scoring with my first touch in the first minute of the game, using this type of run.
Let's take a deeper look at Welbeck's goal and talk through it as if you are him—a first-person view to learn.
(57 seconds in)
First-Person View
Midfielder O’Riley has turned on the ball. He’s behind their midfield with room to run the inside-right channel towards the box. I’ll hang back on the opposite side, on the defender’s blind side, and see if this can develop into a cross or a diagonal pass into feet.
O’Riley’s done well, attacking the edge of the box. He’s slipped it out wide to our wide player Minteh, on the outside of the box.
Gomez is in front of me, occupying their central defender Gruda. Minteh—I know—will cut back onto his left foot and deliver a cross. Time to move from deep, fast, and be ready to meet the cross that will come in behind the defensive line. I just need to get in front of their tucked-in fullback.
Minteh’s shifted the ball onto his left foot. He’s going to deliver towards the edge of the six-yard box, central. OK, let’s go! Sprint diagonally into the space behind defender Gruda. The crossed ball is curling in fast. Hold off the fullback with my left arm. Stay strong—I have to meet the ball first. The keeper, Henderson, is rooted to the spot. Just need to connect and direct the ball to the far corner of the goal. We’re so close. Stretch my right foot—laces—and yes, it’s a good connection on the ball. Away it goes into the far corner. Henderson hasn’t even moved. Goal!
Practice:
Place a cone or flagpole on the edge of the six-yard box, just inside, level with the near post. Place another cone centrally on the edge of the box. Have a teammate shift the ball on the right wing and cross the ball in towards that near-post area—both in-swinging and out-swinging. Practice making a run where your timing meets the ball on the sprint to finish.
One2Pro:
The use of video with a coach review is fantastic for honing skills and performance. In our One2Pro online coaching app, "Techniques of the Stars" are broken down step-by-step for players to follow and practice.
Download and subscribe to work with your One2Pro coach on all 92 skills.
Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
*What It Takes. Available on major retailers in hardcopy, eBook and audio.
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