A crossing and finishing drill (from SoccerDrive's Far Post, Near Post #1). Four lines of attackers and a feeder in the middle. On the feeder's first touch everyone releases: the feeder plays out to a flank attacker who dribbles and crosses, the two central players attack the near and far posts, and the other flank attacker fills the box, everyone hunting first-time finishes. Rotate clockwise after each go.
Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Crossing & deliveryShooting & finishingAttacking play
Created by Danny Jordan
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In play
The setup
Step by step
1
All four lines release on the feeder's first touch. The feeder plays out to a flank attacker.
2
The flank attacker dribbles to the line and crosses. Look up and check near or far post first.
3
The two central players attack the near and far posts. Start your run as the crosser takes his last touch.
4
The other flank attacker fills the box too. Finish first time, head it back across if you cannot score, then rotate clockwise.
Age group
Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)
Duration
15 to 20 mins
Players
8 or more, plus a feeder and a keeper
Area
Penalty area and one goal
Equipment
A goal, cones for the lines, a supply of balls
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial
Objective
Sharpen crossing and first-time finishing: time the near and far post runs to a wide cross, and finish (or head it back across) first time.
Set up
Four lines of players at cones around the top of the penalty area, two central and two out wide. A feeder in the middle with a supply of balls, and a keeper in goal. It helps to mark a near-post and a far-post target in the goal.
Coaching points
Look up and check the target before you strike the cross.
Start your finishing run as the crosser takes his last touch before crossing.
Attack the near and far posts, do not stand and wait for it.
Finish first time; if you cannot finish a header, head it back across to the other post.
Quality of cross: whip it across the six-yard box, between the keeper and the defenders.
Progressions
Serve from the other flank so players attack it both ways.
Add a defender or two to make the runs and timing harder.
Condition it to headers only, or to two-touch finishes.
Keep score: a near-post finish, a far-post finish, or a header back across and scored.
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PENN & Tylers Green produced a commanding first-half performance away at Northwood on Tuesday evening, as Matty Ayres struck twice and captain Jamie Essex also found the net.
