Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Crossing

Diamond Passing Warmup (15 mins)

Organization:

- 4-5 Players

- 1 Ball

- 4 cones to make a box

Instructions:

(A) Pass and follow. Players will pass around the box and follow their pass. Two-touch passing, one to receive, one to pass. Vary direction, L/R foot, surface of foot, etc. (If there are only 4 players in the box the last player must dribble to the next cone before starting the passing sequence again.)

(B) One player will move inside the box to create a 3 v 1 rondo. Passers can move but must stay outside the box. Objective: Possess/retain away from defender. If defender wins the ball, switch with the player who lost it.

Coaching Points:

- Check wide to create a passing lane.

- Open body shape

- Call for the ball

- Receive on back foot

- Two touches

Progressions:

- Combine boxes for 6 v 2 rondo.

Cross and Finish (20 mins)

Organization:

2 teams, one GK each team. Cones at A/B/C/D. Lots of balls.

Instructions:

- A plays ball who B, B sets the ball back for A to play a ball into the path of C on the wing. Immediately after the pass A&B make runs into the box. C takes a touch and plays a cross into the path of A/B, who have two touches max to shoot on goal.

- Sequence is now repeated with the other team, using D wing instead of C. GKs should rotate at this point.

- Keep team score.

- Rotation is A-B-C/D-A

Coaching Points:

- Timing of the runs: How must we delay our runs to be able to provide us with an angle to attack the crossed ball?

- Communication amongst the 2 runners: who goes near post, who goes far post?

- Delivery quality and placement: crosser must recognize where the ball must be played to allow the runners to be able to make a a play on the ball while eliminating the keeper's ability to make a save on the ball

- Communication: Verbal and Visual communication amongst the players off the ball and the crosser.

Progressions:

P - Have a trailing player at C/D provide passive pressure

P - Add in a central defender

R - Have B receive ball from A and play C into space on the wing