Finishing From Crosses

Bob Warming

Creighton University

Exercise One

2v2 heading game

Rules:

Defending team can only touch the ball on their goal line

Attacking team must score below waist height

Tactics;

Play for possession when defense is set

Counterattack when defense is slow in recovering or turns the bail over in midfield

Arrive late for maximum power and surprise

Coaching restriction options:

Toss, head catch

Head to head

Catch ball only with hands on the line

Control with body only on the line

Diving headers only to score

Jumping headers only to score

Same game with volleys to score

Exercise Two

Crossing and Finishing Game

Setup

Rules.

3 points for a goal

1 point for a shot on goal

Minus 5 points for over the top of the goal miss

Minus 2 points for a bad cross

Tactics:

Near post run, support the crosser, draw the goalkeeper

-      Far post run, get there late, not within the width of the goal

-      Slot run, curved toward the penalty spot

Coaching Restrictions:

-      Type of cross

-      add combination play on the wing, overlapping, up back and through, wail passes

-      allow wide players to join in at the top of the box

Exercise Three

4v4 +3 neutral attackers to offset goals

Creating a crossing and finishing environment

Rules:

-      3 points for a goal offa cross

-     1 point for a regular goal

-     use same field setup as for crossing and finishing exercise

Tactics;

-near post, far post, slot runs

-early crosses

Coaching Restrictions:

-type of crosses

-touch restrictions

-switch location of goals for crosses from the other side

Exercise Four

            End session with goals straight across from each other (like real soccer)

-      incorporate whole team with players in proper positions

-      emphasis opportunities to cross and insisting on good organization in the box