Practice 2: Crossing to create scoring opportunities

WHY USE IT

Players practice how they can get the ball into wide areas, before attempting to score from a cross. The environment replicates a game so they can visualise what they need to do in a match.

SET UP

Split players into two teams. Set up a pitch with two wide channels and a much larger central channel. At the start, all players are situated within the central channel.

HOW TO PLAY

Practice begins unopposed. Play starts with the Blues’ goalkeeper playing it to a defender. On doing so, two players enter each of the wide channels. The ball is worked into those channels where the player receiving it looks to deliver a cross. After a short period, it becomes a normal game but the wide channels are still ‘unopposed’ - only players from the team in possession can enter. Eventually the wide channels can also become opposed.

Coaching points

Weight and area of the pass into the wide channel should allow the receiving player to play forward quickly. Once in the channel, the player needs to identify which type of cross to use and where specifically they should deliver it. Timing and area of run by attacking players should allow them to meet the cross.