Lose a defender to score from a cross

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
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If you want your team to score from crosses you cannot leave things to chance. Attackers
need to know how to find space with clever runs to get away from defenders and maximise
their chances.
What this session is about
Getting the ball into wide areas and then making clever runs to lose defenders and score
goals.
What to think about
When crosses come into the box, does your team have enough players making runs to get on
the end of the cross?
Do the players communicate or do they all end up running into the same area of the box?
Do you have the near, middle and far sides of the goalmouth covered to give you the
maximum chance to score?
Set-up
  30×40 yard area.
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15-20 minutes 15-20 minutes 15-20 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
The attacker passes the ball out wide and then makes a run into the penalty area in order to
attack the cross.
The coach must ensure two things happen in this technical practice.
Firstly, the attacker should try to be behind the crosser when the cross is made as this will
make it easier to attack the cross or adjust their run.
Secondly, the attacker must make a run diagonally away from the wide player in order to
open up the space to attack the cross.
Start unopposed, passing the ball out wide and making a run into the penalty area to meet the
cross.

Development
Two attackers combine to pass out wide. The two attackers must make runs in order to lose
the one defender and try to score a goal.
The two attackers should again make their first movement away from the crosser but then
ensure that one of them gets across the defender into the near post area and the other attacker
must hold out on the far post.
Finally, a further attacker and defender join the practice. The defenders can only defend the
cross and must be passive during the build up play. This will allow the midfielders to
combine with the centre forward freely to get the ball into wide areas.
When attacking the cross the players must cover all parts of the penalty area, near post, far
post and penalty spot.
This will maximise goal scoring opportunities.
Two attackers run to different areas to give options to the crosser.

Game situation
Play a small sided game where goals are worth double if they come from crossing situations.
To encourage crossing you can create more space on the wings by increasing the width of the
pitch or by adding crossing channels which defenders cannot enter.
 Develop build-up play and add further players in the final development.

What to call out

 “Play at match tempo”
 “Pace on the cross”
 “Quick movements to lose the defender and score”