Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Crossing and finishing 2
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.
20 mins
Topic
• Crossing and finishing
Principle
• Arrive in key areas to finish appropriate types of cross
Time
• 2 x 10-minute blocks
Players
• 16 plus 2 goalkeepers
Space/equipment
• 70 yards x 90 yards/2 full-sized goals, balls
Description
• This practice can be used as a generic or position-specific small-sided game.
• The coloured boxes in the animation (blue, turquoise and grey) highlight different crossing zones and what type of cross may be needed from that area.
• Blue = pull-backs; turquoise = lofted back post or driven front post; grey = early crosses behind back four.
• Play a ‘normal’ rules game, with the pitch slightly shorter than normal but full width (although the animation shows the full length of a pitch being used, it should be slightly shorter). Make sure the zones are still accurate and realistic with the 18-yard box as a reference. (Shorter pitch allows for more crossing and finishing opportunities).
• Crossing zone areas are marked at both ends.
• The different types of crosses will create many different finishing scenarios. Main focus for coaching points in the box should be focused around timings and angles of movements to generate spaces for crossers to aim for.
Progression
• Provide extra points for certain types of crosses/finishes if extra stimulus is required.
Coaching points
• Moving away from the ball: It is essential that players move away from the ball to open up wider passing angles to create crossing opportunities.
• Attack key areas: During crossing opportunities, players in and around the box attack key areas to provide a front post, back post and pull-back option for the crosser. Movements should be fluid and powerful to move defenders and lose markers.
• Type of cross: The zoned areas are there as a guideline to begin with, but higher-level players can be asked to attempt different types of crosses from all areas. Use the zoned areas and cross types as a guideline but also allow freedom for players experiment with their crosses.
• Coaching individuals: The zones can also be used to work on specifics with individuals e.g. If a player needs to work on back-post crosses, they should concentrate on crossing from the turquoise zone.
• Maintaining realism: This type of practice can become unrealistic if players are more focused on defending wide areas than centrally, as that can mean too much space appears centrally. If this happens, allow attacking teams to score without a cross and then highlight the need for the defending team to be compact in the middle to force the ball wide. This allows for more crossing opportunities and also to work on the practice’s key aims.
• Defensive triggers: The defending team can work on defensive triggers as the ball is played wide.
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
15 mins
Topic
• Crossing and finishing
Principle
• Pass detail and movement are key for an effective and fluid attack to deliver crosses and opportunities to finish
Time
• 3 blocks consisting of 6 repetitions
Players
• 8 plus 1 goalkeeper
Space/equipment
• Half a pitch/8 mannequins, 3 flat markers, 1 full-sized goal, balls
Description
• The practice is an unopposed pattern to goal. Each position has specific start and end points.
• This practice can be used for speed training. Mannequins are used as references for spaces and defenders to avoid. Work for three blocks of six repetitions. Work a different pattern for each block. Full repetition includes the pattern to goal and a recovery run back to starting position.
• The animation is just an example of a pattern that could be used. Patterns used should match the team requirements, individual requirements and desired style of play of the team.
Progressions
• Add centre-backs as defenders inside the box. This means crossers have to adapt and select the correct cross for different situations.
• If you have extra players, use shadow players within the repetitions e.g. if you have three central midfielders, one shadows while two work, but the shadower still completes the runs. Alternatively, use two teams: one working, one resting.
Coaching points
• Pass detail: Playing to a teammate’s front foot or back foot, playing down the sides, using curve or bend to miss out defenders – all of these details need to be considered by the player in possession.
• Movement to receive: Although players are unopposed, lots of movement to receive the ball should be encouraged: e.g. double movements to receive to feet or in behind, full-backs and wingers maintain team’s width to open up passing angles and stretch the pitch, third-man runs, angled runs into the box, well-timed runs to maintain speed of attack. All must be considered for an effective and fluid attack.
• Recovery runs: Once the repetition has been completed, the recovery run is vital for building speed. If the goalkeeper saves the shot and has possession of the ball, they can play a long pass to the position that the practice restarts from. Players should recover in time to meet that pass.