Variation of cross the river, but with no pressure in the attacker ends Even number of players in each third Players at either end are trying to move the ball around in their third with the intent to play through the middle Defenders in the middle should shift in relation to the ball Defenders in the middle must use the depth in the middle to provide cover to their teammate pressing the ball
Defenders must provide cover and balance depending on where the ball is positioned Defenders are trying to delay the pass through or cut it off with good defensive cover Attackers players must keep ball on the ground and look to play through or around defenders
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
sportplan_football
Deliberate heading is now out of U11 grassroots matches. Here is how to coach chest, thigh and foot control so your players still win the ball in the air.
Long-range goals doubled at the 2026 World Cup as teams sat deep. Here is how to coach when to shoot from distance, the technique, and the follow-up.
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.
