Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Crossing and Finishing Function

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Crossing and Finishing Function:

Organisation

1/ Deep lying midfielder plays a pass into the attacking midfielder who, having cheked to receive, sets the ball back.

2/ A longer pass is then played to either the full back or wide forward.

3/ Combination play between the wide forward and the full back proceeds a cross into the box. Attacking midfielder looks to join forwards in getting into the box.

4/ A pair of forwards (from the four situated on the cones outside the box) make darting runs into the box to meet the ball.

5/ Deep lying midfielder who plays the initial pass becomes the attacking midfielder. Attacking midfielder joins the back of the deep lying queue.

* The practice is continuous with both sides of the pitch being worked and pairs of forwards alternating.

Coach:

- Combination play between the wide players - e.g. over and underlapping runs from the full backs, wide forwards diving inside to allow space for a clipped pass into a travelling full backs, soft passes from the midfield players that bring wide men in off the line

- Timing and angle of the forward's/attacking midfielder's runs

Progressions:

- Allow wide men to combine with attacking midfielder - Instigates the use of third man runners - e.g. wide forward receives, drives inside, passes to the attacking midfielder who bounces the ball to the overlapping full back to cross.

- Add two central defenders to add an element of realism in the penalty area.

*Leads nicely into half pitch practice focusing on attacking principles.