Play like England – Crossing and Finishing
1 – Unopposed overlapped runs
Set-up
- 4 Groups
Player 1 starts by passing the ball into player 2 opposite. The ball is returned to player 1 with a lay off or one touch pass so they can switch the ball to player 3.
Once player 1 has made the pass to player 3, he/she must sprint with a curved run around the cone joining the back of the group opposite whist player 2 does the same.
When the ball reaches player 3 the practice repeats itself.
Key Points
- Positive first touch
- Weight of pass short and long passes
- Movement and runs are timed and curved.
2 – Unopposed Crossing and Finishing
Set-up
- 2 gates
- 2 wide cones
- 3 cones – in a triangle
- 1 goal
Player 1 passes to player 2 who passes to player 3. Player 3 makes a long pass into the channel in front of the winger, player 4.
As the ball is played forward, player 1 and 2 make cross-over runs through the gate on the edge of the box.
Player 4 crosses the ball across the front of the goal and players 1 and 2 try to score. The Goalkeeper should be passive to begin with.
Once the attack is over player 3 takes the place of player 4 and player 1, 2 and 4 join the back of the line.
Variation
- Use both right and left wingers, runner then use the other gate.
- If the cross it over hit, allow the far winger to join the attack.
Key points
- Types of crosses
- Runners should change their pace & direction as they exit the gate curling to the meet the ball.
- 1st time finish volley, half volley, header, back foot finish, front foot finish.
3 – Opposed crossing and finishing
Set-up
- 2 Gates
- 2 wide cones
- 3 cones – in a triangle
- 1 Goal
This drill is the same as unopposed crossing and finishing with the differences being:
Passive defenders to players 2 and 4.
Add a fifth player 10 yards behind player 4.
When player 3 passes to player 4 they play a weighted pass towards the end line.
Player 5 makes an overlapping run and crosses the ball.
Key points
- Weight of pass by player 4 to the end line
- Timing of overlapping run, do not arrive at the ball too soon.
- Attacking player should now be looking to lose defenders with their runs and beat defenders with their crosses.
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