Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Marc McGhee UEFA B License Crossing and Finishing

Component 1 Option 1

Organisation

Working in half a pitch

16 players - 14 outfield 2 gk

10 attackers

4 defenders

2 gk

Activity

Session designed to work on crossing & finishing in a 4-4-2 formation.

Attacking team will be set up 2-4-2

Pattern of play

Right defender will start with the ball and pass to the right midfielder

On recieiving the ball the right midfielder will look to link up with the 1st striker

The right midfielder will play a 1-2 with the striker then look to deliver a cross

Strikers will spin and look to get on the end of the cross

Midfielders will make runs into box to support player on ball and give options for the cross

Focusing and type of cross - 1st cross will be a driven cross to the front post.

Coaching Points

Strikers looking to work together moving in relation to the ball

1st striker drops checks away and drops in to link up with supporting right midfielder

2nd striker becomes central and lengthens the game

Good 1-2 with wide midfielder focusing on first touch

1st striker spins and times their run looking to arrive in the box

2nd striker spins out arcing their run then looking to make a run across to the front post

Opposite supporting wide midfielder timing run into back post

2nd supporting centre mid being the 3rd man runner timing their run into edge of the box

Wide midfielder to get their head up before they cross

Different type of cross (driving, floated & cut back)

Component 1 Option 2

Organisation

Working in half a pitch

16 players - 14 outfield 2 gk

10 attackers

4 defenders

2 gk

Activity

Session designed to work on crossing & finishing in a 4-4-2 formation.

Attacking team will be set up 2-4-2

Pattern of play Option 2

Right back will start with the ball and pass to the right midfielder

The right midfielder will look to play forward but then drop it back into the centre mid

The centre mid will pass into the 2nd striker

The 2nd striker will then lay the ball off to the supporting 2nd centre mid who will pass the ball wide

The wide midfielder will then drive toward the by line dragging all the defenders into the 6 yard line then do a cut back cross to edge of the box for the 1st centre midfielder who continued their run.

Coaching Points

Strikers looking to work together moving in relation to the ball

1st striker drops checks away and drops in to link up with supporting right midfielder

2nd striker becomes central and lengthens the game

Good 1-2 with wide midfielder focusing on first touch

1st striker spins and times their run looking to arrive in the box

2nd striker spins out arcing their run then looking to make a run across to the front post

Opposite supporting wide midfielder timing run into back post

2nd supporting centre mid being the 3rd man runner timing their run into edge of the box

Wide midfielder to get their head up before they cross

Different type of cross (driving, floated & cut back)

Component 2 (10 mins)

Organisation

16 players - 14 outfield plus 2 gk.

8v8

3 zones - defensive, middle and attacking 3rd.

Wide areas identified as well.

Activity

Continuing on from component 1

Midfield support conditioned game (component 2).

3 zoned game 8v8 working into the large goals.

Blues shaped up in a 4-2-1 formation and reds set up in a 1-4-2 formation.

Players can advance between the 3 zones but not drop back further than their original zone. (For example the midfielder can go and support the striker but can't drop back in to cover the defender).

Idea is to use patterns worked on in component 1 to try and break down defenders

Overload created to increase the chance of success

Progression

1 player from each team can drop back into defend

Conditions are then removed, defending players can go into the wide areas to defend crosses and press the ball.

Also zones are removed and is now a free game.

Coaching Points

Players are looking to use coaching points learned in component 1.