Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Crossing and Finishing from Nike Football Academy

Screen 1

Initial Set-up

6 attacking players, 4 mannequins and 1 opposing goalkeeper with full-sized goal.

Play starts with one touch pass which is played to either wide player who is above and inside of mannequins representing wide backs.

Player checks to the ball, receives, and lays off for the closest striker. Striker receives and begins to dribble at goal, simultaneously, player who received initial ball gets around mannquin on the overlap down the flank. Striker plays a reverse pass into the path of wide player who serves cross into the area for remaining players to finish. Services at different times, locations and types are made from anywhere in the shaded sections.

Coaching Points:

1. Solid technique - poor passing or receiving causes everything else to break down

2. Quality services from different areas, early cross, deep cross, wide positions, closer to penalty area.

3. Timing of the runs - strikers not in too early, not waiting for the ball but are attacking it.

4. Shape of the runs - do they lose markers and allow strikers to attack the ball

5. Finishing - use of multiple surfaces of the body, are shots on target

Screen 3

Develop game to 7 v 6+1. 2 strikers, 4 midfielders and 1 defender vs GK, 4 backs and 1 midfielder with a target player for the defending team to counter to if they win possession. Attacking team tries to regain possession if ball is lost and attack down the flanks.