We are excited to bring you Attacking + Defending Crosses, a fast-paced activity by UEFA Instructor Keith Boanas!  View another recent session from Coach Boanas here, Possession through Midfield.

Do you want to score more goals from crosses? Do your Players know how to attack successfully? Do your Defenders understand their roles while defending against crosses from wide areas?

This fast-paced action packed activity encompasses a multitude of attacking and defending situations – various types of crosses are delivered in a highly competitive environment.

The rhythm of the activity can be dictated by the Coach through the delivery of the next ball.

Give it a try at your next coaching session; we know your players will enjoy this demanding and competitive activity!

Attacking + Defending Crosses

1.

Setup:

Area marked Approx 40 X 40. Up to 16 players + GKs . 4 v 4 v 4 centrally plus 4 Servers (S) in side zones.

Instructions:

Balls are positioned with each wide Server – on Coaches signal one group of 4 attack the goal and cross from either S1,2,3,4. Wide Servers are allowed to play crosses from dead-ball for quality. 4 Players attack / 4 players defend each sequence – (Ex) Yellow attack Red / Red attack Green / Green attack Yellow – sequence of rotation is continuous.

Keep record of goals scored beneath team to maintain competitiveness.

Coaching Points:

• Attacking:
  • Timing / angle of runs
  • Eye on the ball / attack ball
  • Technique / decision
  • Accuracy/ power
  • Second ball
• Defending:
  • Marking player
  • See player and ball
  • Stay tight/ body shape
  • Decision /attack ball
  • Technique / height/distance
  • Second-ball / push up

2.

Setup:

Area marked Approx 40 X 40. Up to 16 players + GKs. 4 v 4 v 4 centrally plus 4 Servers (S) in side zones.

Instructions:

Ball is now passed to Wide Server from central area – 4 attacking Players decide which side to pass to.

Wide Servers must now strike moving balls. In the Diagram – S4 has received a pass and must now prepare the ball with one-touch and cross with next touch (if possible)

Rotation is continuous.

Keep record of goals scored beneath team to maintain competitiveness.

Coaching Points:

• Attacking:
  • Timing / angle of runs
  • Eye on the ball / attack ball
  • Technique / decision
  • Accuracy/ power
  • Second ball
• Defending:
  • Marking player
  • See player and ball
  • Stay tight/ body shape
  • Decision /attack ball
  • Technique / height/distance
  • Second-ball / push up

3.

Setup:

Area marked Approx 40 X 40. Up to 16 players + GKs . 4 v 4 v 4 centrally plus 4 Servers (S) in side zones. Central (shaded) zone created 4yds wide as shown.

Instructions:

Progression to include Central (shaded) zone – the Defenders must push up to this zone prior to each attack – this forces them into a high line from which they must make recovery runs to intercept / block crosses. This creates a space for early crosses – the Attacking 4 players must attack this space.
Keep record of goals scored beneath team to maintain competitiveness.

Coaching Points:

• Attacking:
  • Timing / angle of runs
  • Eye on the ball / attack ball
  • Technique / decision
  • Accuracy/ power
  • Second ball
• Defending:
  • Marking player
  • See player and ball
  • Stay tight/ body shape
  • Decision /attack ball
  • Technique / height/distance
  • Second-ball / push up