Combination Play with Crossing and Finishing
This combination crossing and finishing drill is a great cross and finish drill that allows you to focus on a short build-up, combination play, timing of runs, and crossing and finishing.
combination play, crossing and finishing, cross finish drill
This combination crossing and finishing drill is a great cross and finish drill that allows you to focus on a short build-up, combination play, timing of runs, and crossing and finishing.
Drill Setup
- You will need the attacking third of the field, including a full-size goal, to perform this crossing and finishing drill.
- Set a training stick on each sideline about 5 yards in and equal to the penalty area's top. These training sticks will serve as an obstacle for the crosser to run around to make sure they are getting as wide as possible.
- Set a cone about 10 yards from each of the flags towards mid-field. This will be the starting point of the outside crossing players.
- About 12-15 yards from the penalty area create a grid that is about 15 yards wide and 10 yards deep. Each of these cones will be a starting point for each player to perform the combination play.
- You will need a large supply of balls just outside the grid on the midfield side.
Drill Instructions
- Player 1 starts with the ball and passes into player 2, who lays a ball off in the direction of player 3.
- Player 2 then makes a run around BEHIND Player 3 and makes a back-post run.
- Player 3 then passes a firm ball into the corner of the field into the space of player 4 and makes a run around Player 2's cone, and times his run onto the front post.
- Player 4 makes a run around the outside of the training stick towards the corner flag, has a prep touch, and serves the ball into the finishing forwards. The forwards should work together to finish on goal.
- The first two players step up to the next grid.
- Repeat the crossing and finishing drill in the other direction for a right-footed cross.
Drill Variations
- Have players play in 1 touch. Allow the crosser to have 2 touches unless the pace of the ball allows him to hit it the first time.
Drill Coaching Points
- Clean, crisp passes.
- Good movement to build up the cross.
- Time runs of forwards.
- Crosser has good prep touch and good cross into the runs of the forwards.
Equipment
- Disc Cones - Mini or Full-Size Disc Cones are a critical piece of equipment that every soccer coach must have in your equipment bag.
- Soccer Practice or Training Balls - Every player should have a soccer balls at practice to have a successful training session.
- Training Sticks - Training Sticks or Agility Poles
- Full Size Goal - Full Size Goal
Drill Ages
Soccer Drill Skill Focus
Top Rated Soccer Drills
7v7 Scrimmage
It's always good to finishing a soccer training session with a 7 vs. 7 scrimmage to focus on team play.
Sharks and Minnows
The Sharks and Minnows dribbling drill focuses on using the body to protect the ball by placing their body in between the ball and the defender.
1v1 Diamond Shooting Drill
Spice up your shooting combination drill by finishing with a 1v1 to goal. Add a fun little twist, and the kids love it.
Pirates of the Pugg
This drill is an excellent drill for younger players ages 8-11 and focuses on dribbling technique in traffic which requires vision and awareness.
Alien Tag Soccer Game
Alien tag is a great Under 4 soccer game for 3, 4, 5, and 6 year-olds. Your kids will like flying around and crashing in their spaceship.
4v4 Soccer to a Small Gate
4v4 in soccer is the smallest game focusing on all aspects of a full sided soccer match.
The Flag Game - Dribbling in Tight Spaces
The flat game soccer drill is designed to focus on young soccer players learning to dribble in tight spaces.
Four Corners Passing Game
The Four Corners Soccer Passing Game is a great soccer passing drill to focus on changing the point of the attack, and timing of runs and passes.
1v1 Competition
This drill is great to focus on 1v1 play. It is flexible and can be used to work on the offensive side or the defensive side.
Ouch!
A FUN soccer drill for younger players (U6, U7, and U8) to introduce dribbling, looking up and correctly striking the ball at a target.