Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Crossing & Finishing on 4-2-3-1 UEFA B

COMP 1

• 4-2-3-1 Crossing & finishing 10 mins) ORGANIZATION
  16 players:
  Red: 4-3-1 Blue: 3-3-1 + GK
  Start Red on 4-3-1 and blue on 1-3-1 +GK
  Use cones to show starting positions for wingers and attacking fullbacks two on each side).
  ACTIVITY
  Start with two center defenders passing to each other one touch) and play will start when the winger calls for the ball. The Center midfielder can then take a touch and play wide. Alternate sides). Rotation - Wide players take turns each. The center midfielders who start play then join the attack to provide three options along with the striker.
  
  PROGRESSION
  Add two more defenders on blue going to 3-3-1 + GK
  Take away the halfway restriction and the 18th line.
  
  CONDITIONS
  1. Wide players should combine to get crosses in.
  2. Defending team can't challenge wide players in the neutral zone.
  3. Midfielders can't defend behind the 18 box.
  
  COACHING POINTS
  Get the ball wide early.
  Positive 1st touch.
  Pick head up after setting the ball for the cross. Type of cross. Movement of the striker and attacking midfielders.
  Type of finish.

  
  

Phase of Play

• 4-2-3-1 Phase Crossing & finishing 10 mins) ORGANIZATION  -15 Minutes

  16 players, 8 red in a 4-3-1 and 8 blue with Gk-3-3-1
  ACTIVITY
  The Players shape to move to options 1 and 2.

  OPTION 1
  The ball is played to the right winger, who gets the ball from the FB out of his feet and passes it back at the flank to the full-back before crossing.

  What if:
  If the defender tracks the winger and can prevent the cross, then the full-back finds the forward that will pass the pass to the winger that crosses into the box.

  OPTION 2
  The ball is played to the central defender, who finds the outside midfielder to cross it.
  What if?
  If the defender tracks the winger and can prevent the cross, then the winger plays back to the FB, which finds him Running behind the defender to receive the ball back) in the flanks to cross into the box.

  COACHING POINTS

  The full-back should time run and arrive at pace.
  Pick your head up before crossing.
  Type of cross
  Start within the width of the goal.
  Movement and timing of runs.
  Communication - Verbal and visual.
  Type of finish.

  
  
  
  
  

What if?

• 4-2-3-1 Crossing & finishing 10 mins) Option 1 and 2
  ORGANIZATION
  16 players, 8 red in a 4-3-1 and 8 blue with Gk-3-3-1 with a defensive midfielder(red) starting the play.

  Supply of balls in goal at the center circle.
  ACTIVITY
  The red team always starts with a defensive center midfielder.

  Free play for a few minutes and look for coachable moments to show 2 options with alternatives and then 1 more stoppage to go in and coach.

  OPTION 1

  What if?
  If the defender tracks the winger and can prevent the cross, the full-back finds the forward, which will find the right middle to cross it.

  COACHING POINTS
  Get the ball wide early.
  Positive 1st touch.
  Movement and decision-making of wide players.
  Movement and timing of runs from the striker and attacking midfielders.

  
  

What if?

4-2-3-1 Crossing & finishing 10 mins) Option 2
ORGANIZATION
16 players, 8 red in a 4-3-1 and 8 blue with Gk-3-3-1 with a defensive midfielder(red) starting the play.
Supply of balls in goal at the center circle.
ACTIVITY
The red team always starts with a defensive center midfielder.
Objective:
The blue team scores a goal by scoring in goal at the center circle.

Free play for a few minutes and look for coachable moments to show 2 options with alternatives and then 1 more stoppage to go in and coach.

OPTION 2
The ball is played to the Central midfielder, finds the left midfielder, that finds the Midfield defender that passes diagonally to the full-back to cross it.
What if?
If the defender tracks the winger and can prevent the cross, then turn out and play the ball back to the supporting full-back to deliver the cross into the box.

COACHING POINTS
Get the ball wide early.
Positive 1st touch.
Movement and decision-making of wide players.
Movement and timing of runs from the striker and attacking midfielders.