Functional Crossing and Finishing Drill

Originally Published in: Attacking Soccer

Provided by: Human Kinetics

Purpose

Providing realistic, frequent crossing and finishing opportunities

Organization

Set up a 40- x 50-yard (37 x 46 m) playing area with two full-size goals at each end. There are at least eight wide players, four strikers, two mannequin defensive players, and a goalkeeper for each large goal.

Procedure

1. Two wide players set up a crossing opportunity for two strikers to attack by creating a two-player overlap. The deep wide player plays the ball to the advanced wide player, who attacks inside the mannequin defensive player and then plays the ball wide to the overlapping player, who then crosses the ball to the forwards. See diagram A.

2. After the cross, the overlapping player becomes the advanced wide player. The first advanced player rotates to the other side. This is repeated on both sides of the field. The wide players circulate through the activity toward both goals. Crossing opportunities are created by two wide players plus a striker. See diagram B.

3. The deep wide player passes the ball to the advanced wide player, who receives the ball and dribbles toward the center, allowing time for the deep player to overlap. The ball is then played to a checking striker, who passes the ball to the overlapping wide player. The striker then quickly gets to a position in relation to the other forward to receive the cross.

Key Points

• Make frequent services into key areas.

• Timing of the strikers' runs in relation to the service is a key.

Variations

• Add some defenders to support the goalkeeper.

• Set the activity for right-footed service and then switch to left-footed service.