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

Introduction (10 mins)

Organization:

-35x45

-Players in groups of 3 or 4

-1 Ball per group

Instructions:

-The sequence is two short passes and one long pass

-Player 1 plays a give and go with player 2. One the return pass player 1 hits a long ball (15-20 yards) to player 3.

-After making the return pass player 2 makes a run towards play 3 to offer support for the long pass

-Player 2&3 then repeat the sequence with player 1 now becoming the furthest player.

Coaching Points:

-Non-kicking foot placed on the side of the ball pointing at the target

-Head up observe target

-Strike through the bottom of the ball

-Follow through the pass to target with passing foot

-Weight and accuracy of Pass

-Encourage quick first touch and remind them of the direction of the prep touch

-Can the set up play be sped up to 1 touch.

- Getting into line with the ball

Progression 1 (20 mins)

Organization:

Instructions:

-Same as before, but now center player has two options to play to.

-The winger that does not receive the crossing set up pass, can now look to enter in to the attacking area and finish the cross.

-Make it a competition between the two teams. Crosses finished out of the air, 3 points. Crosses finished without taking a touch 3 points. Two touches or more and score, 1 point.

Coaching Points/Questions:

- Movement off the ball timing of runs; Visual Cues: Head up/down from the crosser, speed of play from the outside players on their passing combination

- Front post runner must get across the front of the defender/goalie - Gamble

- Far post runner must bend their run deep and not be on the same line as front post runner; must be able to run onto ball

- Recognition of the type of service dictates what type of finish is required.

- Quality of cross and end product

Coniditioned Game (25 mins)

Organization:

Instructions:

- All players must stay in their designated areas

- Wide Neutral players are unopposed

- Attackers must try to combine to get the ball to their wide players in an attempt to replicate passing sequence from main theme.

- Teams score 3 points if goal is scored directly from a cross or 1pt if goal is from a shot in the middle

- Game is restarted from GK every time is goes out

Coaching Points/Questions:

- Movement off the ball timing of runs; Visual Cues: Head up/down from the crosser, speed of play from the outside players on their passing combination

- Front post runner must get across the front of the defender/goalie - Gamble

- Far post runner must bend their run deep and not be on the same line as front post runner; must be able to run onto ball

- Recognition of the type of service dictates what type of finish is required.

- Quality of cross and end product

Regressions/Progressions:

P – Inside players can combine with wide players for overlapping runs or plays through the middle