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cross DRILLS
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Attacking From Crosses 2 vs 1

Two players begin the drill on the wings with the ball, while to players wait in the centre. The two players on the wing will run in opposite directions (attacking opposite goals). The central players begin their run once the crosser has taken their first touch. After the cross has been delivered players swap roles.

Crossing and Finishing

Crossfire

Position 4 players from each team randomly within the area. Place a goalkeeper in each of the goals. The white team can score can score in the goals to the left and right of the diagram, while the blue team can score in goals at either the top or the bottom of the diagram. You can choose to make the goals 5 yards wide and play with no goalkeepers in a 6 v 6 within the area.

Conditioned games

Desert Island Discs

Scatter 7 cones across the area. Groups of 12 consist of 2 catchers and 10 runners. The object of the game is for the runners to run around the area to avoid being tagged by either catcher. Runners may run to safety by placing 1 foot on one of the 7 discs in the area. When a runner runs to a disc that is occupied, the player occupying the disc must move off the disc and look for another disc to occupy. If a player is tagged by a catcher, the 2 players exchange roles. You can choose to introduce a ball so that players must dribble around the area.

Defending

Goals, Goals, Goals!

Set up three lines of three across the pitch. The players on the half way line start with the ball and pass up to player 2's feet. Player 2 controls the ball and turns (where possible with just one touch) and plays a one-two (wall pass) with player 3. Upon receiving the return pass player 2 shoots first time.

Passing and Receiving

Only Square Passes

Set up a minimum of 4 pairs of cones in a straight line and get players into pairs, with a player from each pair stood behind the starting cones. In this pairs passing exercise players are only allowed to use straight passes (no diagonal balls). The first pass is played from player 1 (p1) to player 2 (p2). P1 then runs diagonally across the grid to receive the return pass from p2. After passing the ball to p1, p2 must also run to the cone diagonally opposite to receive the next pass. The drill continues in this way until players reach the final cone.

Passing and Receiving

Pass, Rotate and Move

3 players start with one ball between them. Players must pass and follow on the move. Important that the pass is always in front of the receiver so the drill flows.

Passing and Receiving

Scoring From Crosses 1v1

Two Players are placed on the wing.2 central Players begin their run once the crosser has taken their first touch.After the cross has been delivered swap roles.

Crossing and Finishing

The Diagonal Pass

Players work in pairs, with one ball per pair. The first player makes a square pass across the grid to their partner before running onto the cone ahead. Their partner then plays a pass diagonally across the grid back to their partner who is looking to run onto the ball. The player who started the drill then plays square across the grid again to their partner running onto the ball. The players work their way up to the top of the grid.

Passing and Receiving

Use the width to get up the pitch

Red 1 passes the ball to one of the teams to start the game. There should be 3 players in both wings and 8 players in the centre of the pitch. The wing players cannot be tackled and the central players are not allowed into the wing areas. In order to score a goal the team in possession must make 5 consecutive passes before passing out to their wide man. The wide players must both touch the ball before it is crossed in for the team in possession to attack it, with the other team defending the cross. After an attack on goal has been made the ball returns to red 1 who feeds the ball out to the other team.

Conditioned games

1-2 and cross Crossing and Fin...

Set up as shown. Player 1 starts with the ball in the middle of the field and plays a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing out wide to player 3. At this point, players 1 and 2 run towards the penalty area, ready to receive a cross, while one of the defenders goes out wide to put pressure on the crosser. Player 3 will cross the ball into the box where players 1 and 2 will try to beat the defender to it and score.

General

Football: Double cross - Twice...

Player 1 starts the drill of by passing the ball to the wide player. The wide player then crosses the ball into the box on their first touch for both the attacking players to run onto and attack (near and far post runs). Immediately after the two strikers have headed for goal the opposite wide player then delivers in another cross into the box. After the second cross players swap roles (crossers join the queue and the attackers become the two next crossers).

General

Crossing from Channel Players ...

1) Only wide players allowed in channel. 2) A goal must come from a cross or direct result of a crossed ball. 3) Compete 5 v 5 in middle and limit to 2 touches. Wide players have unlimited touches. 4) Condition game and coach what you see.

General

Early Cross Crossing and Finis...

Set out 5 x 15 yard channels in each corner of the area as shown in the diagram. Station one player in each channel. Play 2 v 2 in central area.The goalkeeper serves the ball to one of his two teammates in the central area. The goal is to get the ball to either of your teams players stationed in a channel. This player delivers a crossed ball into the attacking area. The two attacking players stagger their runs into the near post, mid-goal and far post areas. Finish with a shot or header on goal.<br>Progression: When the wide player gets the ball in the channel the opposing wide player on his side of the field may run into his area to challenge the cross.

General

Combo Pass, Cross and Shoot Cr...

The drill starts with player 3 moving to the red cone and then coming back to receive pass from player 1. Once player 3 has received the ball player 2 runs forward in support and receives the ball from player 3. Player 2 controls and then plays a long switch ball to the wide player 4 who is on the move down the line. The wing player then runs down the line and swings in a cross for the 3 other players to run onto and attack!

General

Back Post Corner Crossing and ...

Again, the signal made between player and corner taker before the ball is played into the box.A player should be on the front post, with three attackers making runs into the area between the back post and the six-yard line. They should attack the goal by heading, or look for an alternative player.

General

Wonder Wingers Crossing and Fi...

Set up 4 meter wide channels along each sideline. Play 3 vs 3 in the middle area (between the channels) with a goalkeeper at both ends. Station one player in each channel. The object of the game is to get the ball to your wide player as quickly as possible. As soon as the wide player receives the ball they should sprint to the goal line and cross the ball in towards the goal to their team mates who are attacking the near and far posts.

General

Break football Crossing and Fi...

2 players outside the area play a ball into one of their players in the grid. The 2 players in the grid play 2 v 4 to try and score a goal on the half way line by dribbling the balll through the gate. The 4 players try to win the ball and when they do they have to break as quick as they can and try to score a goal. the only 2 defenders that can stop them are the 2 defenders out side the grid. (Blue dot players)

General

Football: Passing wide to cros...

Set up:Cone off an area 2 areas: Width 44 yards length 20 yards one above the other. At each side of one area have an extra square of 5 yards.Set up a 2 goals, one at the top of the areas and one at the bottom.Red team players: GK, 2 Defenders in the bottom area, 2 Attackers in the top area and 2 wingers, one in each 5 yard square. Blue team players: GK, 2 Defenders in top area, 2 Attackers in bottom area.Description: Red team start with the ball.Passes:GK -&gt; Defender (or straight to winger) -&gt; wingerWinger crosses to one of the Attacking players who can either pass the ball to the other Attacker or take a shot.If Blue team win the ball then they can go for goal although they don't have the same wide options.

General

Point Blank Heading Crossing a...

Players 1, 3 and 5 are feeding the ball towards the 6 yard box. Players 2, 4 and 6 take turns to either head or volley towards goal. Once players have either fed, or shot they swap to the other side.

General

Shoot, Recover, Finish Crossin...

Make a pitch from the edge of one penalty box to the same the other end, full width. Set up a goal with a GK at each end.A group of Attackers start in the centre circle. A group of Defenders start offset to the left of them.The coach feeds the ball in to and Attacker and they run forward to a 1 vs 1 situation with 1 Defender. The Attacker should take on the Defender and attempt to score.Once the Attacker has taken a shot they recover in an arc to receive a ball cross in from the right side.As this is going on, when the GK at the other end has seen the coach pass the first ball then they pass the ball to a player in the fullback position out to the right (F).F passes the ball down the line to a winger (W), who will be the one to cross the ball in after the Attacker has taken their first shot.At the same time the exact same is happening at the other end of the pitch.Players move positions:The Attacker becomes the F for the other side, attacking in the other direction. F follows their pass to become the W, the W joins the line of Attackers. Rotate the Defenders after 5 minutes. Play different progressions/variations for about 30 minutes in total.Includes breaks for water and feedback to the players

General

Transfer skills Crossing and F...

2 Players transfer the ball from right to left at the same time. It is important for players to receive the ball from the player on their right. They should move closer to the passer. On receiving the ball, the first touch should be played towards the intended pass. Once the ball is transferred the player runs back to transfer the next ball.

General

Attacking From Crosses 2 vs 1 ...

Two players begin the drill on the wings with the ball, while to players wait in the centre. The two players on the wing will run in opposite directions (attacking opposite goals). The central players begin their run once the crosser has taken their first touch. After the cross has been delivered players swap roles.

General

Decision-making and creating t...

The player stood on the half-way line passes to the player up field and then runs in to create an overlapping run. The player on the ball can choose to: Take on their defender. Pass to the supporting striker. Pass to the overlapping player. The attackers should play out the drill and try to score.

General

Scoring From Crosses Crossing ...

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. <BR> Player 2 receives the ball on the half turn towards the touchline. <BR> Player 2 travels with the ball and crosses the ball into the penalty area for the attacking player.

General

Scoring From Crosses Crossing ...

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. Player 2 should control and receive the ball on the half turn, turning out towards the touchline. Player 2 then travels with the ball and crosses into the penalty area for the attacking player.

General

Football: Crossing and finishi...

Set up:3 Attacking players from each team on each side of one half, taking it in turns.If you have 2 GKs then have a GK for each teamAttacking players A1, A2 and A3 positioned as shown in diagram.Description: A1 passes to A3, and runs towards the penalty area.A2 runs behind A3 to the upper right corner of the field to be passed the ball.A3 then also runs into the penalty area.Out of the 2 strikers running in, the first person who gets to the box is the one who takes the front post. This will usually be A1 as they started running in first. Therefore A3 takes the back post.A2 crosses in and A1/A3 finishes.The opposition have the same set up the other side and they go while the other team is setting up again.Swap the GK for the oppositionHaving 2 teams makes the drill competitveThe teams switch sides after 10 crosses.After 10 crosses each on each side the team who gets the most goals wins and you can make the other team do a forfeit. (For example a high intensity run)

General

Pass Wide, Cross and Attacking...

Players line up in 3 queues, with the ball starting with player 1. Player 1 makes a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing the ball down the line for player 3 to run onto. Player 3 times their run to meet the pass and gets the ball under control before swinging a cross into the box for the players 1 and 2 to run onto and head into the goal.

General

Finding space - Team exercise ...

Player 2 curves their run away from the passer before then cutting back to the ball. Player 2 receives the ball and turns towards goal in 1 fluid motion. Player 2 then delivers a cross for the waiting centre forward.

General

Football: Crossing and Finishi...

Position 5 Attacking players as shown on the diagram and a GK in the goal.Pass 1 --&gt; 2 --&gt; 3 --&gt; 4 --&gt; 5; with 5 running round from behind 4 to collect the pass. Have a mannequin set up either side of player 4.After a player has made a pass they will move into the starting position of the person they have passed to. Form a line of players ready to make it a continuous drill.This should be repeated on each side.

General

Run and Pass Crossing and Fini...

Player 1 (red) runs the ball to the third cone. They then play a diagonal pass across to the player on the opposite side. The player on the opposite side runs to the third cone in tandem with Player 1 (red) and also plays a diagonal pass to Player 2 Red. Repeat. After making the pass players should chase their pass across so that they force the nearest player to get the ball out of their feet quickly.

General

Football: Crossing and Finishi...

The set up in the diagram shows how to set up for a left sided drill, but can be copied onto the right side.This drill requires quality passes to play rom the center out to the sides and create a cross oppurtunity, which will set up a shot.The ball starts at the center with player 1. It is passed on to player 2 who lays it of for 1 to pass long to 3. Player 3 turns and plays the ball to player 4. It is dribbled towards the box and crossed to either 1 or 2 who shot.

General

Short Corner - Shot Crossing a...

Again, a player at back end of 18-yard area gives initial signal for type of corner to be taken (one hand or two hands up for example), which is then relayed to the rest of the team.With the rest of the team in different positions and roles, the player who gave the signal should be able to run into space at the front post. They then receive the ball from the corner taker and takes a shot.

General

2 Player Crossing Drill Crossi...

Players on the wing run with the ball down the side of the pitch before crossing for an attacker who has ran into the area, usually at the far post. Attackers begin further back than the wingers and in line with the corner of the penalty area. Once the coach blows his whistle, the attacker must sprint at full speed to reach the area and get on the end of the cross.

General

Football: Pass and follow circ...

Set out a pattern of cones for any passing sequence. In this one we set the cones out so the players play a infield pass followed by a pass to the wing who has to run down the wing around the cone to cross the ball to the forward who should try to score with a first time shot. Each player pass and follows their own pass to the next station.

General

Attacking the Crossed Ball Cro...

Organize groups of 6. Station goalkeepers in a goal at each end line. Place 2 players inside the area and 2 wide players outside the area. Goalkeepers should have a supply of balls. Repeat in another area for a total of 12 players. White goalkeeper distributes the ball to player white 1, who advances the ball up the touchline with his first touch and crosses the ball to player white 2 with his second touch. Keepers must stay on their line throughout the practice. Repeat in the opposite direction from red goalkeeper to red player 1 and red player 2. The wide player should attempt to vary his crosses to near, middle and far post positions.

General

cross DRILL CATEGORIES
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Crossing and Finishing Drills
Crossing and Finishing Drills
cross SESSIONS
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Using the overlap to create goal scoring opportunities

Does your attack run out of momentum due to a lack of support from other players? If so practice the overlap to create more scoring opportunities.

Improving body positioning and shaping of runs

Keep the attacking fire burning and get your players opening up their body, thinking about their first touch and angling their runs up field

Goalkeeping Shot Stopping From the Angle

To improve the goalkeeper making saves from shots from the angle.

Change the Point of Attack

Move the opposition's defence and practice passing into space with this switching session - working on quick and accurate passes.

Goalkeeper Movement Plan

Improve GK movement in and around the goal. Familiarise the footwork required in various common movements such as forward, backwards and across the goal.

Goalkeeper Positional Recovery

Introduce goalkeepers to recovery lines and efficiency of movement across the goals. Check the GK is moving into line with the ball when making the save.

Switch Play - Use the full width of the pitch!

Make the most of the space on the field by getting your players into the mind-set of switching the play, rather than trying to hammer down the same congested channel each time.

Goalkeeper 1v1's

Develop your keepers mindset to stay on their feet for as long as possible and to stay big in 1v1?s and make the attacker make a decision.

Decision Making In & Around The Box

Improve combinations in wide areas and finishing in around the box!

Finish the Chance!

Get your players comfortable in front of goal so that when the chances come, they have a cool head to finish clinically, even when the odds are against them. Also, give your goalkeepers a great testing session with it.

Shooting: Crossing and Finishing

Deliver the pas to set up a simple finish for your strikers. Scoring goals will win you the game so make sure you are providing the easiest chances to give your strikers the best chance of putting it in the net.

Attacking Headers in the 16 Yard Box

You don't need to be Peter Crouch to score from corners. Work on scoring from wide angles with this attacking headers session

Corner Set Piece - Getting players to attack the cross

Introduce players to corner set-pieces and teach them how to time their runs and head home with confidence

Crossing & Finishing

Exploit the flanks and get your wide players whipping balls into the danger areas for your forwards to put away. Work on the delivery into the box and the forwards movements to anticipate and reach the cross.

Team Defending

Develop a team mentality that works to win the ball back and swarm in groups. Understand the roles and responsibilities of team defence to shut out the opposition as a unit.

Individual Finishing - Penalty Area

How good is it to know that if you main man gets a chance, he’s going to put it away!? Develop your forwards into composed, ruthless finishers within the 18-yard box.
cross ANSWERS
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how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

How do I develop lesson plan for coaching width in?

How do I develop lesson plan for coaching width in attacking

Archived User Coach

How can i teach the team not to herd the ball

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

How to encourage position discipline (U12's 9 a side)

I have a fantastic group of U12's (9 a side), who I encourage to play with the ball on the floor, quick passing football. We are a very attacking minded team, but that is our weakness - we need to remember that we do not have 8 strikers.Does anybody have any drills or tips for making sure that midfielders remember midfield?

Archived User Coach

Goalkeeper tips for dealing with crosses?

goalkeeper defend against crosses in 9v9 in half ground

zakeer hussain Coach, India

What camera can I attach to the crossbar to film matches?

can anyone please tell me a good camera etc that can be attached to cross bar to film a match at a reasonable price

heath davies Coach, England

How to defend high airballs? For u-17?

Hello coach, My question is - How to defend high airballs? Actully we prefer to play small passes and ground balls more. So we face problems with airballs. Teams here play more airballs. We win , but feel the pressure of the airball situation. Kindly suggest some drills for the same please.Thankingyou.

Archived User Coach

How to view a session using the Slideshow Feature?

Archived User Coach

Developing Dribble Dash

Hi all ,As part of my course I have to develop dribble dash into more of a game format.Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.Thanks

Bill Campbell Coach, England

Girls corners why they don't get there heads on them???

Hi I coach a u11 girls team and there is a couple of girls who cross the ball fantasticinto the box but no one ever seems to get there head on then I've tried different approaches like short or low crosses but it frustrates me when the crosses are so good that there is no one on the end of them. Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Jamie andrew Coach, England

Best way to defend a 4-2-4/3-3-4, when playing 4-3-3 yourself?

Hi,I am playing in a 4-3-3 style. Yesterday we played against a team that started 4-4-2, but when they had the ball, switched to a 4-2-4/3-3-4 playing style.What do you trainers believe is the best way to overcome/defend that?Also, what are the best passing opportunities when attacking in a 4-3-3 style and playing against a 4-4-2/3-3-4 style?Any thoughts on this?Thank you so much!

Robbert T Coach, Netherlands

How do I learn to do tricks and play like Messi?

I want to know how to go around a person cross them and shoot I want to learn the control dirribling and more but I just can't can you help me

Adamnelvin Coach, United States of America

2 payments every month

who do i contact via email or chat to get a refund? i have 2 payments coming out, im really cross that this could have happened and annoyed that this is so hard to find who to speak to resolve it

Jill Sayers Coach, United States of America

Session plans

How do. I add a drill to a session plan

Andy Kerr Coach, England

creating a animation plan

I an not seem to access the animation planonce select then a cross appears

Andre mynhardt Coach, United Kingdom

training alone

how can i practice my crossing, passing, dribbling and shooting as a winger

cooper Coach, Australia

Good drills for attacking and ...

What are good drills to teach corners and/or crossing. Attacking and defending?

Scott Coach, England

Does anyone have any good corn...

Does anyone have any good corner set pieces for 7 a side U11 team (short or long). Have a tournament coming up most games finish 0-0. i think if we can get a goal or two from corners it will be enough to get us close to winning. Thanks Dean

Dean Casson Coach, England

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