Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Crossing and finishing 1
Coaches' Voice
Tony Hodson
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Topic
• Crossing and finishing
Principle
• Arrive in key areas to finish crosses
Time
• 4 x 3-minute blocks
Players
• 6 plus 1 goalkeeper
Space/equipment
• 60 yards x 40 yards/2 mannequins, 1 full-sized goal
Description
• This practice is a 2v2 to goal practice, with the aid of two wide players for the attacking team.
• The practice starts with a ball played into the attackers, who move the ball between themselves and the two wide players to create an opportunity to exploit in behind the two defenders.
• The attackers can use the wide players, but if the pass to them is below the mannequin the wide players are limited to one touch. If the pass to the wide player is beyond the mannequin, they are limited to a maximum of two touches before crossing the ball. As soon as the ball is played behind the mannequin, the two defenders drop into the box to defend the cross.
• As one wide player drives into the box, the opposite-side winger makes a back-post run. One of the attackers aims for the front post, while the other positions themselves for a pull-back.
• If the defenders win the ball back outside the box, they earn two points. If they stop the attackers scoring, they earn one point.
Progressions
• Progress how the practice starts to create different situations: an aerial ball into the defenders who head clear (pressure from behind), from where the attackers pick up the second ball and then play; or a one-two between the centre-backs and attacker, who then steps in (running at the defenders).
• Manage more players by playing for longer blocks, and swapping out the attacking and defending pairs after each rep. You can also double up in the wide areas.
Coaching points
• Runs into the box: With direct opposition in the practice, the attackers may have to adjust their runs based on the positions of the defenders. Highlight three key areas: front post, back post and pull-backs. With only two defenders in the practice, one option should always be free.
• Type of cross: The player in possession must make a decision on the type and timing of their cross. Due to the practice layout, the chance for back-post crosses will be limited. Therefore, the ball speed, smoothness and timing of crosses to the front post, the edge of the six-yard box, or in pull-backs, will be important.
• Providing width: The players need to provide width at all times; there is already a threat in behind (the target player).
• Positioning to receive: Use the challenge of always being in a position to receive the ball. If the player is not in a position to receive, can they get into a position to receive within three seconds?
• Managing the opposition: Encourage the defending team to avoid being split, and manage them ‘cheating’ to stop the ball out wide. Manage the defenders to defend both the front and back-post spaces during the crosses, to really test the attackers’ decision-making and execution.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
15 mins
Topic
• Crossing and finishing
Principle
• Arrive in key areas to finish crosses
Time
• 3 x 5-minute blocks
Players
• 12 plus 2 goalkeepers
Space/equipment
• 50 yards x 60 yards/2 mannequins, 1 full-sized goal
Description
• This practice is designed to test the players’ ability to create crossing opportunities, and score from them, in a game situation. The animation shows the pitch set-up. Notice the wide channels, which can be used as guides when expecting width in attack.
• This practice is based on 6v6 (double the amount of players used in previous practices), with both teams set up roughly in a 2-3-1 formation. This is to mimic the previous practices, when attackers had to break down a centre-back pairing with the help of natural width.
• Praise the use of overloads in wide areas, and runs in behind to attract the centre-backs.
• Reinforce the principles of the variety of finishes in the box, and how the type of cross will dictate the type of finish required.
• If needed, provide the condition of having to score from crosses from the wide channels. Be conscious of the effect this may have on the practice success, however.
• Progress so that certain crosses provide more goals. For example, a pull-back = 2 goals, or a front-post cross = 3 goals.
• Make the highest-scoring cross/finish combination the one you deem most important to the team.
Coaching points
• Need for width: When in the game scenario, it is important to reinforce the need for width when attacking. Due to the nature of the session aims (crossing and finishing), it is vital to provide width to create crossing opportunities. The wide channels can be used as a guide to aid with this.
• Threat in behind: Encourage players to provide a threat in behind the defenders. This will stretch and open up spaces to exploit, for passes in behind and crossing opportunities. It will also allow players to work on checked runs if the ball goes wide, rather than forward, and is then played into the box.
• Type of finish: Revisit the types of finishes required from the different types of crosses. For example: front-post, pull-backs, aerial, half-volleys. Highlight the benefit of hips and shoulders facing the goal as contact is made with the ball.
• Managing the opposition: For the defending team, use principles of play to provide a realistic scenario for the attacking team. Can they defend compact and narrow? Can they not be split? Can they defend key areas in the box? Can they emergency defend when in and around the box?
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15 mins
Topic
• Crossing and finishing
Principle
• Arrive in key areas to finish crosses
Time
• 4 x 3-minute blocks
Players
• 6 to 12 outfield players, plus 1 goalkeeper
Space/equipment
• 60 yards x 40 yards/4 mannequins, 4 flat markers, 1 full-sized goal
Description
• This practice is an unopposed technical practice.
• The set-up shown in the animation features six active players: four central players (orange) and two wide players (white).
• If there is a need to involve more numbers, use two teams of four central players, and four wide players. Another option is to add central defenders inside the box, who become live on the cross.
• Play starts with a combination between the four central players around four mannequins. Play should be one touch and ends with a pass out wide to the advancing wide player. After the pass wide, the four central players make runs into the box.
• The wide player then crosses the ball into the box for a first-time finish by one of the advancing runners. The fear markers within and just outside the box highlight key areas the runners should aim for to make first contacts on the cross, when it is delivered from the left. These can be flipped for deliveries from the right.
Progressions
• Include different types of crosses: pull-backs, back-post lofts, front-post drives, flashes across the six-yard box.
• Progress also to include different combinations in the central area.
Coaching points
• Runs into the box: As the advancing central players make their runs into the box, there are four main areas they need to arrive at as the ball arrives: front-post space, back-post space, front-post side of penalty spot and the edge of the box. These areas allow all types of crosses to be met effectively.
• Variety of runs: Players should arrive at the designated areas as the ball arrives. The runs should be diagonal, curved or staggered to influence defenders.
• Types of finish: A variety of finishes will be required during the practice. Front-post feint finishes, first-time pull-back finishes, back-post half-volley finishes and any headed, volley or ‘difficult’ finishes should be covered. For all these to be effective, the biggest available surface area should be used to execute first contact, with the hips and shoulders facing towards the goal as contact is made.
• Pass detail: Consider the effect the pass out wide has on the type of delivery. A soft pass wide will mean the attacker has less time to deliver, meaning the cross will be towards the mid/back-post area. A pass in front of the wide player will invite a flash across the box or a pull-back. A fast-paced ball to feet will encourage an early cross.