Share it
This is a warm up to get players used to playing the ball wide and creating space for the wingers and the full-backs to cross into the strikers who must finish past the goalkeeper.
Coaching Objectives
Attacking play with build up play on the wing.
Wingers and full backs combination play.
Try to pass forward to keep play going forward.
Crosses should be played in the space between the goalkeeper and the defending players.
Crosses should be along the ground in this warm up.
Movement of strikers to cover front and back posts key to success.
Drill Setup
- 10 Mins
- 9 Players
- 1 Goals
- Half Pitch y
What the Players Do
You need to use 2 mannequins set up as defensive full-backs 25 yards from goal and a supply of balls with coaches on the half way line.
The centre midfielders receive the ball and play a pass outside to attract the opposition midfielders. Once the pass goes outside it is moved up the wing with support from the full-backs that have made runs down the wing – winger or fullback then cross the ball into the strikers who shoot at goal
The two centre mids receive a pass from the coach and pass to each other 1 touch – play starts when the winger calls for the ball. The nearest centre mid takes a touch and then plays wide using alternate sides.
Rotate the players so the Centre-mids become the strikers and the strikers become centre mids also swap the fullbacks and wingers.
Serve one: the ball is played to the wide midfielder who gets the ball out of his feet dribbles past the mannequin and crosses into the waiting strikers.
Serve two: the ball is played to the wide midfielder who dribbles the ball past the mannequin then turns and passes back to the fullback who crosses into the strikers.
Serve three: Winger takes a pass from the central midfielder and drives inside the mannequin before playing to a striker who passes out wide to the overlapping full back. Option here is for the winger to drive inside then play a pass down the wing to the overlapping fullback.
Coaching Tips
Dribbling
Keep your arms out at all times when dribbling around defenders. You can use them to brush past players, improve your balance, and keep players farther away from you.
Good balance will help you cut quickly in any direction while retaining control of the ball.
Land on the front of your feet every step, whether you are dribbling forward with your laces or cutting across your body using an inside touch.
Shooting
- It is important to make sure when the players are attacking their body is positioned so they are balanced and facing the goal ready to receive and when shooting the supporting foot should be next to the ball and players should not be leaning back when they shoot.
- Encourage players to get shots off early
- Play with head up - Check GKs positioning before getting shot off
- Encourage players to be creative with their finishing
Passing
Try to play one touch but when a bad pass is made players can us an extra touch or control with the help of the other foot. The speed of pass will effect the receiving of the ball, too hard and it will be harder to control with one pass, too soft and the drill will be too slow.
Modify the Session
Coach can slow the drill down and repeat parts of it so players can understand the movement and get used to the play.
Switching the crossers will make the play different with accuracy and speed of cross key.
Continue Reading For Free
Plus Get a Free eBook
Enter your email below and we'll send you our Moments of Transition eBook immediately. PLUS you can access this drill free AND send you our regular newsletter to help you become the best coach you can be.
By clicking on subscribe now, you consent to allow Cupello to store and process
the personal information and agree with our Privacy Policy.
Alex McLeish
700 appearances for Aberdeen, played under Sir Alex Ferguson. Manager of Scotland, Rangers, Aston Villa, and Birmingham City where he won the League Cup.
Leave a comment
You need to login to comment or clap for this coaching article.