Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (YDP) Crossing & finishing

(YDP) Crossing & finishing

Practice organisation

- Half pitch with appropriate size goal & cones extending from

corner of penalty area to half-way, as illustrated.

- 14 players (incl. 2GK's), arranged in two groups of 6.

- Each group contains 2 Attackers; 2 Midfield &

2 Flanker players, as shown.

- Each group works separately, with 2nd. set of players ready to

take-up position on half way line, by coach.

- Practice starts with: coach passes into MF's who combine before

playing into A.

-A plays ball out to flank, for wide player to take forward & cross into

penalty area for A's to strike at goal.

- MF's push forward to edge of penalty area & opposite side flank

player attacks far post from cross.

- Once attack is concluded: 2nd group establish position, GK's change

places & practice recommences from coach.

- 1st group quickly return to half way to prepare for next attack.

- After predetermined number of attacks: players change roles

within group.

Detail

- Delivery & type of cross from flank player may vary (near, far post,

lofted, driven, cross pulled back to edge for MF).

-Encourage flowing combination play, to establish good tempo of

forward passing moves.

- A's to coordinate movement (staggering entry, to prevent becoming

flat) into penalty area to cover all areas.

- Good body shape & footwork to prepare for clean contact when

striking on goal.

-Simple progressions for this practice are:

- Introduce 2D's who (passively) mark A's in build-up phase, but track

& defend goal in penalty area, realistically.

- Introduce 3rd. D to track back on goal from MF position, after

challenging (1v2) initial MF play into A's.

Key coaching points

- Accuracy & weight of initial pass into A.

- Receiving, communication & combining skills of 2A's.

- Precision & speed of pass to flank player: when played in front &

when played into feet, to take forward.

-Timing, velocity & trajectory of cross delivered from flank player.

- Assessing build-up play whilst making runs.

- Timing & coordination of run from opposite flank player with A's.

- Timing & coordination of runs from MF's to edge of penalty area.

U12 – The player should be able to complete the Learning outcomes in 4v4 functional practices.

U13 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices

U14 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practice and SSG

U15/16 – The players should be able to complete the Learning outcomes during under loaded functional practices and 11 v 11 games.