Half Field Patterns Cross and Finish will help you work on advancing the ball from midfield to the final third ending with a cross and finish on goal. This activity will help you pass the ball over distance, penetrate the opponent’s defensive third, advance the ball through lines, work on timing of runs, quality of the touch and passes, pulling away from the cone (defender), and quality of the cross and finish.
Half Field Patterns Cross and Finish
1.
Setup:
Half field passing patterns with a cross and finish on goal. 16 players and 4 GK’s, diagram shows two halves, based on numbers, use only one half when possible.
Instructions:
As shown with the yellow team, player 1 penetrates on the dribble and passes it to player 2 who lays it off to player 1, player 1 plays it wide to player 3 who plays it one or two touch to player 4, player 4 lays it back to player 3 who then plays the ball through to player 4. Player 4 crosses it on the ground or in the air to player either of the two Forwards. Stagger the pattern and start the same sequence with the red players. Both #9’s work for two minutes then change personnel, the rest of the players rotate in numerical order 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4 back to 1. 20 minutes.
Variation: Player 1 drives the ball in the air to player 2 instead of dribbles.
Coaching Points:
- Timing of runs
- Quality of the touch and passes
- Pulling away from the cone (defender)
- Quality of cross and finish