DRIVEN CROSS | TECHNICAL PRACTICE | 6 PLAYERS

This technical crossing practice involves 6 players focusing on using combinations to deliver a driven cross.

STRUCTURE
• Area sizes: Quarter of a pitch relevant to pitch size.
• Arrange the pitch as shown in the video. Place one large goal at the top of the pitch and place the mannequins as shown in the video.
• The practice consists of six (6) outfield players and requires a goalkeeper
• The practice commences with the coach passing the ball to an attacking player, who then passes wide to the other attacking player before overlapping the player he has passed to. The ball is played to the overlapping player, who crosses for the two (2) central players.
• In the next crossing action, the coach plays the ball into an attacking player, who finds the wide crossing player. The crossing player drives at the mannequin before going past and crossing the ball for the two (2) central players.
• In the last crossing action, the coach plays the ball into an attacking player, who finds the wide crossing player. The wide-crossing player combines with the coach and makes a run behind the mannequin before crossing the ball for the two (2) central players.
• Work both sides of the pitch.

STRESSES
• Give extra points for goals scored with a volley or header (age-dependent).
• Encourage the players to work at a match tempo.
• PHYSICAL LOAD: Adjust area sizes based on physical outcomes. Use larger areas for high sprints/distances and smaller areas for accelerations/decelerations.

SOLUTIONS
INDIVIDUAL
• CROSS - Cross early and with quality
• COMMIT - Commit the mannequin to cross
• COMBINE - Double pass to receive the ball behind the mannequin

COACHES TIP
“Play a quality pass to the overlapping player to allow the crossing player to cross first time”