Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Session 3 - Dealing with Crosses

Set-Up & Mechanics

Set Up

• Drill is for 3 GK's
• 1 cone in each corner set 2yds in-field from the corner.
• 1 cone on each side on the byline 10yds in from the corner.
• 1 cone each side 2 yds in from touch, in line with edge of 18yd box.
• 3 mini goals set at 25yds, 1 in line with the centre of the goal, the other 2 on each corner of the box. 
• Each goal to have a different coloured cone placed in it.
• 5 dummies - 2 placed inside the 6yd box, 3 placed along the edge of the 6yd box. (if no dummies then non-i=evasive players can be used).
• Coach to find position to monitor GK's techniques

Mechanics & Key Factors required in session.

• Starting Position in relation to ball - Further out/Nearer to centre of the goal - Near byline/More aggressive and almost facing attacker
• Focus on the ball with an open body - to see ball and players.
• Assess flight - Stay or Go.
• Communication - Loud & Clear - 'Keepers!!' or 'Away!!'
• Use appropriate footwork to prepare for jump.
• Aim to take off on one leg - leg nearest goal, the other Knee up to help with momentum/gaining height and protection.
• Catch/Punch the ball at its highest point if far out or at earliest point if closer to byline - Decision Catch/Punch.

• Diving: Closest leg steps forward in the direction of dive - Stepping leg bends slightly to provide the power to push off for the dive - Hands move in the direction of the ball - Eyes fixed on the ball - Catching the ball using the same technique as 'W's' and 'Cup' depending on position of the ball.

• Catch: W's: W technique for catching - Thumbs together forming a W with the forefingers - Rest of fingers spread out - Eyes fixed on ball.
• The Cup: Little fingers together, Palm of hands facing out, Fingers spread.
  
• Punch: Lead jump with punching arm coming from the shoulder towards the ball - Punch through the ball with out over extending - Punch long and high.

• Roll: Ball in hand you are using - Opposite leg steps forward towards target - as rolling arm moves back, body turns so non throwing arm faces the target - Knees bend, lowering body - Rolling arm moves back along line of body and realeases the ball parallel to the floor - Rolling hand should brush the floor for a smoother roll.
  
• Javelin: Ball held around shoulder height of throwing arm - Opposite leg of throwing arm steps forward and opposite are points towards target - Stepping forward, the throwing arm pushes the ball forward from the shoulder and down to a spot approx. 10yds infront of the receiving player - Realease as the arm straightens - oppotional: a flick of the wrist when releasing can add spin which may help you control the throw a bit better.
• Overarm: Ball held at waist height in throwing hand - Opposite leg steps forward with oposite arm pointing at target - Throwing arm remains straight behind body circling up and around brushing GK's ear - Release the ball and arm goes past the year, different release points will lead to different trajectories - Angle of arm can vary depending on type of trajectory required ie. arm moves from behind the back across the body, releasing as it comes past the body.

• Lofted Pass: Look at target - Eye on ball - Angle of approach4. Non-kicking foot alongside ball in acomfortable position - Strike the bottom half of the ball with laces of the boot, toes moving forward under the ball - Firm ankle -. Follow through towards target.

Session

Session

• Catching: GK1 in ready position on the goal line, GK2 to supply the cross 1st, GK3 2nd.
• GK2 crosses the ball into the middle of the 6yd box, GK1 comes off his line, avoiding the dummies to collect the ball.
• GK1 moves to the middle of the box and then rolls/passes the ball to GK3.
• GK3 then crosses and the drill is repeated with the ball this time being given too GK2.
• 5 crosses from each side and GK's to rotate.

• Punching/Deflecting:
• GK1 in ready position on the goal line, GK2 to supply the cross 1st, GK3 2nd.
• GK2 crosses the ball into the middle of the 6yd box, GK1 comes off his line, avoiding the dummies to punch the ball away.
• GK1 returns to the Ready position on the line and GK3 plays the ball in .
• 5 from each side and GK's to rotate.

Start with supplying crosses from the corner to the midddle of the 6yd box and then move GK2 & 3 out to other cones near corners of 18yd box.

• GK1 in ready position on the goal line, GK2 to supply the cross 1st, GK3 2nd.
• GK2 crosses the ball into the middle of the 6yd box, GK1 comes off his line, avoiding the dummies to collect the ball.
• As GK1 collects the ball the Coach holds up a coloured cone, GK1 looks for the Coach and rolls the ball out to mini-goal with corresponding coloured cone.
• GK3 then crosses and the drill is repeated.
• GK's to rotate.

Again, start with supplying cross to the midddle of the 6yd box and then move GK2 & 3 out to other cones.

See Set-Up for Mechanics

Final Progressions

Progression 4

Dummies removed, Crossing Channels/Zones added, GK2 & GK3 now act as passive defenders.

• GK in ready position on the goal line, 
• Ball played into Crossing Channels
  
• When Attacker is in the Zone, he crosses the ball in for attackers to attack.
• GK makes Decision whether to Catch/Punch/Deflect/Stay
• If GK collects the ball he then looks up for the coach who will hold up a coloured cone, GK1 will then throw the ball to the correspondng cone
• 2 crosses from each side and GK's to rotate.

• GK in ready position on the goal line.
• Ball played into Crossing Channels.
• When Attacker is in the Zone he can chose to cross first time or move into next zone to cross from the byline.
• GK makes Decision whether to Catch/Punch/Deflect/Stay
• If GK collects the ball he then looks up for the coach who will hold up a coloured cone, GK1 will then throw the ball to the correspondng cone
• 2 crosses from each side and GK's to rotate.

See Set-Up for Mechanics