This practice is designed to provide attackers with repetition of semi-opposed crossing and finishing and defenders a chance to work on stopping/defending crosses.

Quick Navigation

About the Video

In the video below, Dave will talk you through the structure of the practice, various outcomes and how you can adapt it for your players.

Do you want to improve your ability to plan and deliver great sessions? Sign up for our Foundations of Session Design course here.

Practice Overview

Topic: Creating & Scoring

No. of Players: 9 – 24

Goalkeepers: N/A

Practice Type: Functional Practice

Offsides: Yes

Age Group: U13+

Pitch Size: 50 x 65

Timing: 20 mins

Interpreting the Diagrams

The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.

If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the PDP Coaching Community.

Key For Diagrams
soccer training diagram

Diagrams

Using half a pitch and reflecting the attacking formation your team plays, set teams up in their positions. Defenders will work for 3 sets, so after each ball, they must quickly recover to the 18-yard line and defend the next wave of attack.
Attackers set up in 1-3-5-2 formation against a back 3 or part of a back four. Defenders prioritise getting out to the ball to stop supply. Blues attack in a group of 4-6 players. The attacking overload allows for success. If it’s too easy, adapt accordingly. This example demonstrates a ball into the striker, set back to release the wing back.
Red defenders shuffle across to prevent the cross and deal with the front two. Midfielders make attacking forward runs and opposite wing back attacks far post. Players in orange are passive at this point and are ready to start the next attack.
An example of the attackers successfully crossing into the striker who scores at the near post. From here, the attackers move off the pitch and defenders get ready to deal with the next wave.
The previous group is now inactive as they recover to their starting point. The blue group are now the next attacking wave and red defenders get back to the 18-yard line to prepare to defend. Coaches voice is useful here to drive tempo and demand players work for three defensive set.

Objectives

To provide attackers with repetition of semi-opposed crossing and finishing and defenders a chance to work on stopping/defending crosses. Wide players work on accurate delivery, strikers/midfielders work on timing of movement and finishing. Defenders focus on stopping & defending crosses and playing forward quickly.

Organisation

Using half a pitch, set players up in the attacking formation your team plays. If you have large numbers, you can have multiple players in each position. One attacking group plays against the defensive group. Defenders work 3 sets then rotate. Attackers rotate after every attack. If defenders win the ball, they play quickly into mini goals.

Observations & Interventions

What you might see

  • Wide players taking too many touches
  • Attackers arriving in the area early

Actions you might take

  • Restrict the number of touches for wide players to ensure a focus on crossing (releasing) the ball
  • Reward attackers with double points for one touch finish to encourage timing and fast finishing.

Adaptations:

Is the session too easy?

  • Add an extra defender in the backline or a defensive midfielder
  • Restrict attackers with a time limit to score

Is the session too hard?

  • •Reduce number of defenders
  • •Add an attacking player

Would you like to know more about planning sessions?

You might be interested in our foundations of session design course created by UEFA A Licensed Coaches, Dave Wright and Dan Wright. They will teach you everything you need to know about designing world-class sessions that your players will love. PDP Members get 40% off all courses.

Foundations of Session Design
Dave Wright
Dave Wright Dave is a UEFA A licensed football coach and Co-Founder of Player Development Project. He has 19 years’ coaching experience in England, Australia and New Zealand with players at all levels. During five years in the UK, Dave worked for Fulham FC and Brentford FC. On his return down under, he coached at A-League club, Melbourne Victory FC with the U20's. More recently Dave has worked as an Athlete Development Consultant at High Performance Sport New Zealand & supported NZ Football with their U17 program. Dave’s eBook, Performance Soccer Coach: A Guide to Positive Player Development is available on Amazon.
Popular searches: defending, finishing, 1v1, playing out from the back, working with parents