Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Crossing and finishing

Warm Up

Organization:

Instructions:

Coaching Points/Questions:

Regressions/Progressions:

Crossing and Finishing- Opposed

Organization:

- Half field set up. Center goal can be moved closer based on age/level.

- Two wide channels set for the wingers(Width of the pentaly box, adjust as needed).

- Soccer balls located at each goal

- GK Optional

Instructions:

- Ball starts with one of the center players. They must pass the ball in to the wide area.

- Once ball is in one of the wide areas the remaining 3 players make proper runs in to the box and await service from the wide player.

- Opposite wide player that does not receive initial pass may make run out of the channel and in to the penalty box.

- Team waiting now becomes the defending team before their turn to attack.

Coaching Points:

- Movement off the ball timing of runs; Visual Cues: Head up/down from the crosser, speed of play from the outside players on their passing combination

- Front post runner must get across the front of the defender/goalie - Gamble

- Far post runner must bend their run deep and not be on the same line as front post runner; must be able to run onto ball

- Recognition of the type of service dictates what type of finish is required.

- Quality of cross and end product

- Recognition of the defender's positioning.

Progressions:

- Starting with 2 Defenders. Begin to add more pressure throughout the session based on success of attacking team.

- When playing 4v3, wide player may now drive the ball inside based on defensive shape and distribution out wide.

- Becomes 4v4

- Restriction of playing wide is removed but still encourage. 3 points for scoring on a play from the wide area. 1 point for scoring with a buildup down the middle.

Match Play

Organization:

- White team set in 1-2-3-1

- Blue team set in 1-2-2-2

Instructions:

- Free play with continued encouragement of wide play in the final third of the field.

- 3 goals if play comes from the wide area. 1 goal if buildup was through the middle.

Coaching Points:

- Movement off the ball timing of runs; Visual Cues: Head up/down from the crosser, speed of play from the outside players on their passing combination

- Front post runner must get across the front of the defender/goalie - Gamble

- Far post runner must bend their run deep and not be on the same line as front post runner; must be able to run onto ball

- Recognition of the type of service dictates what type of finish is required.

- Quality of cross and end product

- Recognition of the defender's positioning.

-Principles of Play. Penetration, Support, Width, Mobility, Improvisation/Creativity

Progressions:

- Make it a 10 point game. Teams must score exactly 10 using the 3 point/1point scoring system.