Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): UEFA B Licence Crossing & Finishing 4-4-2

Component 1 (20 mins)

UEFA B, Crossing & Finishing, Component 1

Set-Up - Half of a Full Pitch

Mannequins are set up as defenders with a back 4 and 2 central midfielders.

Attacking team is set up with 2 strikers, 2 central midfielders & 2 wide players

Option 1

-The ball starts with one of the CM's. 

-The furthest away striker to the ball drops short between the lines to link up and play a bounce pass back to the CM. As the striker comes shorter, the opposite striker drops to the blind side of the defender into free space.

-CM receiving the ball on his back foot then plays the ball out wide. 

-The wide player the takes on the mannequin, driving to the outisde of him, into a position to put a cross into the box, front post, back post or cut back for the edge of the box.

-2 strikers will attack the ball. Striker who dropped short will take the back post run, and deeper lying striker who hasnt been involved yet with the ball attacks the near post. 

-CM who plays the ball wide supports the play at the edge of the box.

Option 2

-Ball starts with CM who plays a pass out to the wide player.

-Bounces the ball back to the centre mid who has dropped at an angle to see the striker.

-Pass gets played into strikers feet who cuts the ball in behind the full back for the wide player running in behind.

-2nd striker moves to the front post. 1st striker moves towards the back post and supporting midfielder at the edge of the box.

Progression - Live Defenders are added. Playing passive until the wide mannequin gets beat then become fully active defenders looking to stop the crosses for goals.

Phase of Play (20 mins)

UEFA B, Crossing & Finishing, Phase of Play

Set-Up - 2/3 of a full pitch

Black (Attacking) 2-4-2

Red (Defending) 1-4-2-1

Ball will always start with black defenders either side of the goal. Once they join in the phase of play act as full backs.

Red team defend and do not let the blacks score. If they win possession of the ball, the reds are looking to clear there lines and aim for the blacks goal to score then squeeze the game up the pitch. 

-Wide player is looking to be positive and take on the defender in a 1v1 situation

-Timing of runs

 -Wide player on the opposite flank will also provide support with a timed run into the box for any loose balls around the back post area.

-Looking for a central midfielder to provide an option for a cut back to the edge of the box as the other provides cover deeper.

-moving the ball quickly to shift the defensive into creating crossing opportunities.